Making Narrative pieces- Tortoise and the Hare project

Nyrryl Cadiz

Hi, everyone! So I’ve been sending submissions to various children’s book illustrator agents and reps lately in the hopes of getting noticed. Most of them did not respond or if I’m being positive, still haven’t read my email and are yet to respond in the future. Lol Anyway, one agency did reply and suggested that I should illustrate a classic fairytale. Now, I don’t want to get my hopes up. They were probably just being kind and offering some advice. They didn’t explain why but it was probably because I needed more narrative pieces in my portfolio. Listening again to the 3 point perspective just earlier made me realize that what I thought was an adequate amount of narrative illustrations in my portfolio (which really is not a lot) is far from enough. I cannot stress enough how important making narrative pieces are. I’m just realizing it now as well.

I need more pieces that tell a cohesive story and that shows consistent characters. Most of my current work are stand-alones. They’re mostly pieces I did for the monthly prompts. So for my project, I chose “The Hare and the Tortoise”. A simple story but set in space! Mwahahaha! I thought it would be a fun twist. I’m not the best when it comes to vehicles though so... yeah?

So below are my sketches. Also below are my character designs which I call cheat sheets. I illustrated the faces my characters will go through throughout this mini-series. Hehe it’s just easier this way.

I’ll update you guys soon. Thanks!

ThisKateCreates

This looks like a really fun project! Can't wait to see the pieces.

jthomas

I love these and the concept is pretty unique. At least to me. This looks like a wonderful project so far and I can see this as a nice book and comic novel to read.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@ThisKateCreates @jthomas Thank you! I’m currently working on the first spread. I’ll probably post it soon.

jthomas

@nyrrylcadiz Awesome. I'm gonna watch this thread to keep updated!

Heather Boyd

@nyrrylcadiz

I love the hare's space ship's ears! That's really cute. I hope you have a lot of fun -I think you will.

Nyrryl Cadiz

Hi, everyone! Here’s an update. I started this piece yesterday and am almost done. Any suggestions?

jthomas

@nyrrylcadiz WHOA! Absolutely stunning! I like the blur effect on the planet they or on but I feel it might be a little harsh. My only thoughts at the moment.

StudioLooong

this is such a fun project! :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_smiling_eyes:

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Heather-Boyd haha thanks! Hare’s ears are always up when his happy or agressive and I wanted to emphasize it in the illustrations. However, the glass cover on his ship prevented me from showing just that. So I decided to add ears to his space ship so that Hare’s ears won’t hit the glass whenever they perk up.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@jthomas thanks! Definitely noted.

@StudioLooong thank you!

lenwen

I feel you! I really love your designs and they look so much fun!
I also love your color scheme

Johanna Kim

Such good advice and I love your story twist idea!

MichaelaH

@nyrrylcadiz I like the characters and the flying stones (meteors) have more deep in values, than the characters, the hare the most, is missing some dark values.

Nyrryl Cadiz

Here’s an update! I feel that it’s done. Ok, I’m ready to move on to the next.

animatosoor

@nyrrylcadiz It made me happy to see this update! Great piece, and great idea overall. I can't wait to see more of your progress on this project.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@lenwen @Johanna-Kim @MichaelaH @animatosoor thank you!

Coley

@nyrrylcadiz cool, I missed this thread before now but I love love your artwork!

braden H

@nyrrylcadiz The rabbit very much reminds of me Zap Brannigan from Futurama so I think you nailed his attitude.

Best detail for me is the fact that the turtle is wearing his suit underneath his shell. Awesome design!

Johanna Kim

@nyrrylcadiz This turned out so awesome! Looking forward to seeing how this series progresses.