APRIL CONTEST VIDEO CRITIQUES!

Pilonya

WOW, @Lee-White this is amazing! Thank you so much for the feedback, not only mine, but for all the entries! I can’t appreciate it enough!

Coley

so far have gotten through the first two videos, loving it! Learning so much. this is awesome.

theprairiefox

@Lee-White thanks for doing this. They were great.

It is funny my wife listens to them over my shoulder (she is not an artist) and after having the last class with you she was like "It is good to hear him again. It is like I know him now." So at the very least you make an impression.

Eli

On the old west one in the 3rd video, I thought the guy with the gun was getting ready to shoot the rope. That's why the guy about to be hanged doesn't look too worried...? Like in "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." ?

Susan Marks

@Lee-White This is the best gift yet. I am learning so much by listening to your feedback as you review a piece. And you do it so professionally and kind and direct-all in one.

For "a six year old in a middle aged body"-thumbs up.

KathrynAdebayo

Here’s a bit of an update with the red ball moved so that it’s in front of the blanket. It seems to me more noticeable now, though I’d love anyone’s feedback. Thanks again, Lee.

bnewman

@Lee-White Thanks very much for the feedback! I really like your advice on how to load the moment even more -- I wish I'd thought of that! Now I have to admit I was dreading the moment before watching your critique of my work. I've been trying to illustrate without line which has been a bit of a struggle to say the least and I thought my finished piece lost something between sketch and final (and was generally poor overall). Thanks for all your critiques, these are so incredibly valuable.

ArtofAleksey

@Lee-White ok I made the changes. I think I’m actually going to submit this to this months SCBWI “alone” prompt.
Thank you again.

justjax

@Lee-White Thanks so much for doing this. I have learnt loads listening to all the other critiques, not just mine. And I'm pleased you suggested leaving out the dog under the plant from mine - I added him at the last minute as I felt something was missing. Adding other subtle characters above and in the background, as you suggested, would help fill that 'missing' feeling. Thank you!

Lee White

@Aleksey If teeth are the weapon, then you need to lean into them a little more. Looking good though!

ArtofAleksey

@Lee-White oh dang. Yeah i guess I could have exaggerated more. You don’t think it would have been a bit too much for a picture book portfolio. Like i know the big bad wolf is a well know scary villian in picture books but what do you think?

Lee White

@Aleksey I think this level of "scary" is fine for kids books for the most part. If it's a book for 2 year olds, you would need to back off, but if it's for 5-7 year olds, you have more freedom there

ArtofAleksey

@Lee-White i had no idea.. thank you. Like that fox even frightens me right now.

Lee White

@Aleksey Pay attention to that feeling. All we really want is for our audience to feel something. ANY solid feeling one way or the other is great. Our worst enemy is the bland middle ground. If we make a sad image, we need to really convey how sad it is. Likewise when we make a happy image. Or scary, or mad, or whatever. Most illustrators are stuck in the middle ground of not conveying enough emotion and feeling. That is much worse than going a little too far. With most of my students I encourage going WAY to far, then we can dial it back if needed. But most of the time when they think it's way too far, it's actually just getting to the spot where it's been pushed far enough.

ArtofAleksey

@Lee-White I see, so go further to communicate that feeling better. And if needed, you can dial it back.

Lisa Middleton Griffin

I am just getting caught up with this but loved that you took the time to do it. A great way to listen and learn... pointers that can be great reminders for illustrators at all stages.