SVS 3rd Thursday Topic

Eric Castleman

Here's my list of ideas

3rd Thursday where you all just focus on questions from anyone who writes in.
3rd Thursday focused on writing, and see if you can get a guest who has experience in writings picture books, such as Arree Chung to talk about the differences between being just an illustrator vs both and illustrator artist.
3rd Thursday on the hard aspects of being an illustrator in the children book industry, and some of the things that we should be prepared for, as well as those things you wish you knew before getting involved.
3rd Thursday featuring an SVS student who recently got rep'd, and interview them.

The two I'd be most interested in are style and job breakdown. I can't wait for third Thursday!

Kat

I'd like to see "finding your style" and "real job breakdowns". I'm still wobbling back and forth and around on style so badly that I don't complete anything, and I have a hard time explaining to people how I hope to someday get work as an illustrator. Either of the topics as a 3rd Thursday would be great!

Lee White

@holleywilliamson We have a fantastic artist, Heather Neisham, who is making a new stylization video for us. First with animals, then human characters. here is some of her work:

http://dailycatdrawings.tumblr.com

stringfellowart

As a subset to finding your style, how to know if your style is appealing to art buyers.

Lee White

@stringfellowart that's a simple one. Is anyone showing interest and buying it?

Jason Bowen

How about: Finding your artistic medium. (links with style I guess)

holleywilliamson

Draw overs are always awesome too!

Lynda_Percival

I'd vote for Real Job Breakdown. I'd love to hear about how a job works when it goes well and also how to handle problems and curve balls.

Lee White

Thanks guys, looks like we are going with "Finding Your Style" or something along those lines. Here's the course card I made for that topic. 0_1501274200404_Course card.jpg

Lee White

Thanks for your suggestions. We will keep these on file. You can keep them coming here in this thread if you have any other ideas. : )

Daniel Sorensen

How about HATS!

lmrush

@lee-white You are so incredibly talented Love that it is a red rabbit (SVS) doing the painting!

Katrina Fowler

Anything about actually getting/finding work would be great. Is it a hodgepodge of finding freelance gigs, catching an agents eye, participating in various art shows... etc? Is the job of being an Illustrator of children's books as a full time career a UNICORN? Can an artist actually just work on books and make it financially? {Little frustrated there - sorry}

Lynn Larson

I think how to get the most out of studies would be awesome!

Lee White

@katrina-fowler Did you see last's month's third Thursday. Will went over all of that.

but to speak to your question, can you make it full time as a children's book illustrator, the answer is pretty much no. I don't know any children's book illustrators doing only book illustration. They teach, they do concept design, and all sorts of other things. The only exception is for people who win the Caldecott medal. That tends to make things easier.

andyjewett

Hey, @lee-white Looking forward to "Finding Your Style," the title card looks fun... good job as always.

• I would personally love to see you guys (at least occasionally) revisit the subscribers/students submit illustrations for draw-over/ critique format.

• More interviews with different industry professionals would be great as well... agents, editors, art directors, writers, etc.

• Another "writing for children's books" would be great. Maybe with a more current/up and coming author... I got to meet Tammi Sauer at a recent SCBWI conference, she would be a great choice (if she's available). "Realities of being a children's book author" or something like that.

• Studio tours... or, building a great artist's studio... what you need to have, etc. I know this is really subjective due to choice of medium and certainly because of differing personalities, but maybe a top 10 must haves in your freelance studio?

• Beginning to end, real-life project breakdown would also be great. The whole process exploded... always fascinating and certainly valuable information.

Kevin Longueil

@lee-white Would love to see the SVS team each take a prompt from thumbnails to finish - basically seeing the process for each of you - maybe each showing thumbnails and talking about how you chose which one to go with - each showing your color comps and talking about those decisions - and showing the finished piece - .......this sounds like a better idea for a class maybe? - or not a good idea at all i would love to see the different ways you each approach the same assignment and the different thought processes involved.

Katrina Fowler

@lee-white Thanks Lee. I'll check it out!

I also wanted to throw out the topic of 'grouping characters/ dynamic character placement' Like a birthday party or family dinner or kids on the playground etc. Placing 5 or more characters in a scene in such a way that it doesn't look like they are lined up for inspection? Thanks!

MOO

@kevin-longueil I think that's a great idea, Kevin!