An introduction (sorry it’s a bit long)
-
@lizardillo Hi Liz, welcome! I've also worked for years as a graphic designer with illustrations being peppered in along the way. Well done taking the leap into illustration
there's so much here - I joined in December after binging all the podcasts! Looking forward to hearing/seeing more from you. -
@Emma-Echter hiya, thanks. It’s great to hear that you have the same path. I was meant to do an animation and illustration course at Uni (waaaayy back in 1998) but for various reasons ended up on a graphic design and marketing course. I can’t complain as it’s been good experience but it’s time to make the change. Do you feel like you are starting all over again? I’m a bit lost. It’s a bit daunting! There is so much good advice on here, I just need to work out what direction I need to go in. I think I will be doing a lot of random stuff and practise until I can sort that out
Looking forward to seeing your journey too. -
@lizardillo Thank you so much for answering that with a screenshot and everything. So kind. Now to pick which illustration to use there!
-
@lizardillo looking at your website, you look like you're not too lost! Looks fantastic. Very cohesive and professional.
I'm mostly lost in the business/networking side of things - how to actually approach potential clients... although hoping age and wisdom will make approaching people easier. After years of design, at the very least I know how to take feedback!
Slowly, slowly, slowly I'm getting works and style together for a portfolio. My aim is a 10 piece portfolio by mid-year. Might be a little ambitious... but I'm trying.
I also chose graphic design way back ('99) because I thought it would be more stable than an fine art career (I started a fine art / design double degree, then changed university's to do a straight graphic design). But have wanted to illustrated ever since I was a primary school student!
-
@Emma-Echter Thank you. Like you it’s the business and networking I’m not sure about. I know the graphic design and print industry inside out and I’m sure we both can take a lot of that experience and apply it. I have joined the AOI and eventually read their book about contracts and pricing that I bought a few years ago which was very good (https://theaoi.com/?taxonomy=product_shipping_class&term=book). I just need to work out what kind of work I’m going to be pitching for and who to. I’m not 100% sure it’s picture story books, it may be activity/educational books or games). I’m going to listen to the portfolio building course on svs to see what I need to add.
-
@lizardillo Good idea - yes it's hard to focus on one area of work (especially coming from graphic design where each job is different), but absolutely there is so much we can apply. More than I initially thought when I started poking around the classes. Thanks for the link, I'm in Australia so some of the business references I find I'm not sure how much pricing relates, I really should join our equivalent, Illustrators Australia. I was going to wait until I had more of a portfolio to show for it, as all the memberships start to get expensive (thanks Adobe). In the past I have worked in a more vector style, and really liked the idea of educational resources (and made some in the way way back), although listening to some of the podcasts, I'm not sure if it's a great move money wise... but then if it's work, and it's enjoyable... yep. It's a hard decision
-
And a jolly cheerio to you, Lizardillo... Beautiful images on your website! That exploded burger in particular looks scrumdiddlyumptious! Now let me just check what I have in the fridge... I'm feeling a wee bit peckish.
Blast! All I found was half a head of lettuce and some sour milk. Foiled again! But as the old saying goes, when life gives you lettuce and sour milk, make some Veggie-Kefir. Wish me luck!
I hope the publisher likes stick figures!!
www.casual-t.com
www.instagram.com/casualcreates.art -
@Casual-T Hiya
Thank you for you comments. Drawing the burger made me hungry 
Good luck with your Veggie Kefir
