My style is not trending
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Merraba @djlambson!
I’m no expert, but I’ve heard from many pros to avoid trends and keep making work you love. There’s a market for your work, you’ll just need the right agent to find it for you!
Best of luck and stay strong! Soon, your husband will be back and you’ll both be grateful for the sacrifices made!
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@Jeremy-Ross those kind words just made my day..thank you.
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@djlambson I feel the same way! I'm still developing my style, but my illustration heroes are Greg Manchess, N.C. Wyeth, James Gurney, Frazetta, Drew Struzan, Craig Davison, Tony DiTerlizzi... basically a certain stylized realism that's as far as you can get from the sketchy graphic-designy trends of the current moment.
Still, I'm not discouraged. I've been ping-ponging around for a while, and what I've found is that as long as you're patient, deliberate, and very honest about exactly what YOU want and what you like to DO, you'll find there are plenty of options. Every time I bump into an obstacle is my cue to slow down and clarify, and each time I get a little closer.
In my experience, this problem mainly arises from looking at where you think you want your work to end up and trying to work backwards to find out what your work should look like. I think it makes a lot more sense to start with the work, be really honest and true to it, and keep an open mind about where it ends up. You can always tweak, but you've gotta know which parts make up the core of your vision so you don't lose something essential.
I like what @jimsz said, about the wide range of markets outside of children's book illustration. Plus--just because lighter images might be "in" doesn't mean there isn't a story that needs subdued colors and "ominous atmospheres" as @NessIllustration put it. If that's something you like doing and looking at, you can also play around with matching your subject matter and storytelling to that mood. It all depends on what you decide to prioritize in your style, what you're willing to play with and what you want to hang onto.
Don't be discouraged! Take some time and seek clarity. Then stick with what you want to stick with, make everything else work with that, and keep an eye out for the opportune home for your work.
Anyway, that's my two cents, and what I'm trying to do myself. Hope it helps
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@chrisaakins It is very interesting because when I saw your "dragonfly" piece I thought it is a very nice mix between old and new but it definitely looks modern. I think you are doing great job on incorporating new style into your art.
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@Marta-Kitka wow! Thank you so much!
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@MarksByMallory Thank you! very appreciated. I love Tony Diterlizzi and N.C. Wyeth as well. Will go look up the artists on your list.
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It might be helpful to get some fresh inspiration--look at lots of current illustrators and find things that excite you, that can be integrated into what you do. There is a wide variety of illustration styles out there that do well and I think you'll be fine as long as you keep working on making YOUR work better and making those killer pieces. Have you done the finding your style course on here from Lee White? You might find it very helpful!
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Hi @Natalie-Lundeen I did get part way through some time ago! Definitely need to take another look at that one. Thanks for the reminder.
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Well I feel a bit the same way. It is as though here at SVS I am "in the wrong room" because of my medium, style, subject and primary industry. My heros are never mentioned: Karen Hull, Patricia Reeder Eubank, Susan Wheeler, Mary Engelbreit, Jill Barklem etc. I have illustrated a picture book, though, and got paid very well, so that helped. However what I wanted to share is that I also am here biding my time and soaking up all the awesome knowledge at SVS, it is wonderful! And yes I agree, by the time we are ready maybe things will change. I focus on being ready not just for picture books but as an artist in general, creating the content I want skills to create. Plus it may help for you to find a community of artists outside SVS that are in your style or medium, it did really help me to have both SVS and "medium mates" friends colleagues...
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@Amanda-Bancroft Those are some of my favorite artists too.
