My Portfolio Needs Help
-
Hi @Miranda-Branley, feedback is a gift you know, albeit it sometimes hurts at first.
Your style reminds me of Dora the Explorer, which is why you are likely getting feedback that it’s too commercial.
Maybe you will be perfect for Scholastic!? I would look up agents or art directors that work for Scholastic and see if you can reach this audience. It might give you an “in” while you continue pursuing your other Picturebooking endeavors.
For what’s it worth, I like your portfolio. Just keep working at it and getting better. You need to get that “WOW!” Piece that blows the socks off the agents, this community, and our 3 amigo instructors
-
@Miranda-Branley i know what you mean. When I was starting out, all I got was rejections left and right. One agency said that it’s currently ”in” to draw bigger, more expressive eyes on my characters, so I did but when I showed my new portfolio to a uk based agency, they said my style was outdated and not in trend. It was so confusing. What I didn’t understand at that time is that each agency/publishers have different preferences when it comes to style. Most European/ UK agencies prefer a more stylized, abstract, and quirky style while American companies prefer a more structured and cartoon-like style. There isn’t exactly one trend that these companies are following. Rather, they are basing their decisions on what has worked for them in their specific markets. Just because one agency didn’t like you style doesn’t mean you won’t be appealing to another agency.
My suggestion is to continue your search. Find an agency where the artists they’re representing are similar to you but no quite. You need to fit in but also in your own way, stand out.
Portfolio: nyrrylcadiz.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyrryl_cadiz/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbJCF1Im8ZO7hpGWTKOJMuA -
@carriecopadraws Thank you so much for the feedback on my site! I totally agree with you! Also I love the idea of having each week be dedicated to a piece in my portfolio. That's a nice way of organizing and tackling all of the work I have to do! Thank you so much
-
@Lisa-Pickard I should have included welcome feedback from non illustrators too! I agree! I'm looking at my work right now and I can see what you're seeing with the eyes! I'm not sure what it is that's making them look jarring.. I know it has something to do my rendering though! Thank you for the feedback!
-
@CLCanadyArts I agree I wish they had explained that better, but I understand that they have lots of other submissions to look at. I can see the commercial side of it though if that's what they were getting to! I have no idea how my style ended up looking that way. Probably my rendering. But thank you! Just peeked at your site, I love your style and your work too!
-
@Katie-Kordesh I'm so glad I'm not the only one feeling this way and going through this! Thanks for commenting! I really appreciate it! I don't think your work is bad at all! I love your style and your work definitely stands out since the style is different from others that I've seen. I do think your style fits in children's illustration maybe try doing more backgrounds and environments for your characters?
Also thanks for the feedback on my style! I agree, I realize the rendering on the eyes make them feel separate from the rest of the characters. It's funny, I work at a toy and game design company and have done some box art! Coming 2021. Maybe my style has grown into that kind of work haha! I would like to soften it so it's more children's book friendly though! I think we both have what it takes, just have to push! -
@Nyrryl-Cadiz That's so interesting and strange! I didn't think there were trends in children's illustration but that makes sense. And the fact that different countries have style preferences. I have applied to UK agencies! Beehive Illustration Agency was one of them, and they were the ones that told me they had a few artists that had already had my style. I've applied to various agencies with them having different styles of artists. I think the harsher rejections were the ones that didn't have any illustrator's with a similar style to mine lol... Understandable! Lesson learned! I think at that point I was getting frustrated. Thank you for the advice! I'll pay attention to that when I make the rounds of applying again in the future!
“We must stop eating!' cried Toad as he ate another.”
https://www.mirandalbranley.com
https://www.instagram.com/drawnbymiranda/ -
@NessIllustration Thank you so much! I'll have to create a list! I applied to quite a few. I actually applied a while ago to Astound Us and didn't hear back. Beehive Illustration Agency, Lemonade Illustration Agency, Allied Artists, Plum Pudding, the CAT Agency, KidShannon, Kids Corner Illustration, Jelly London, Painted Words, Milan Illustration Agencies, Eye Candy Illustration, Spinning Yarn Rep.. Should I create some new work to add to my portfolio and then reapply in the future?
“We must stop eating!' cried Toad as he ate another.”
https://www.mirandalbranley.com
https://www.instagram.com/drawnbymiranda/ -
@Miranda-Branley Wow that is quite a selection! I think you can probably rule out the ones who said they were not looking for anyone with your kind of style (I'm guessing CAT agency). But if they said they had other illustrators similar to you, don't give up! Keep improving your portfolio and try them again later
Maybe next year some of their illustrators leave and there's a slot for you. My first agency was Beehive, and I applied twice to them. First time they said they already had illustrators with my style. Second time they had vacancies and signed me right away! I also applied several times to Astound and never heard back. The last time, I saw a call for submissions on Linked In for the ItsMe agency, a company that matches up illustrators to agencies. They do the pre-screening for them, if you will. I applied and the lady said I'd be a good match for Astound. With ItsMe's recommendation, I got an immediate response and was signed! The whole looking for an agent thing is confusing and frustrating, You receive conflicting feedback, and you don't know if you're refused because of bad timing / circumstances or because you're not skilled enough.I think you're very good! You have a solid set of skills, solid foundations, but you can probably define your style a little bit more. Your characters all fit well together (a bit too much maybe, they're a bit too similar) but the backgrounds all look like different styles from one picture to the next. The facial expressions are also very similar, try to push them a bit more and show angry, sad, depressed, laughing, etc. I would suggest to make a new set of portfolio illustrations over the next few months, focusing on a consistent style and showcasing a variety of characters, backgrounds, things and skills. Then apply another round, and the answers you get could be very different this time! Good luck hun
This too shall pass. I was in the very same situation as you about a year ago. I think all illustrators go through that! -
@Miranda-Branley hi! Yeah, I think Beehive has a more international market despite being based in the UK. That’s why they have a wider selection of styles. One agency that seems to be more focused on the uk market is Allied Artists. They are the agency who told me my style was outdated. They also blocked me after I got too annoying. LOL! Anyway that’s a story for another time. It also really frustrated me at that time. But I’ve come to realize now that it was probably for the best. My style really doesn’t fit their roster and if I changed my style just to fit in, I may not be happy and contented with the work I’ll be creating.
-
@Miranda-Branley after reading the comments I wanted to see these eyes. I think the reason your eyes are jarring is that the iris is unconnected with the top lid, especially on the more realistically rendered ones. Most eyes are the opposite. If you see the white below the iris it might look okay but over the top of the iris gives them a "crazy eyed" or shocked look.
