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    Should I send my portfolio to publishers right now?

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    • lenwen
      lenwen last edited by lenwen

      WOW, your artworks are truly amazing! so dreamy, warm, classic, and whimsical! I really LOVE them. I can definitely see a picture book with your arts inside. I think you just need to complete it with (as you've mentioned) more diverse compositions and colors. Maybe also add some scenes with more detailed backgrounds (outdoor and indoor) as an illustrator we need able to translate the manuscript into the picture. Just go for it!!Good luck!:smiling_face_with_open_mouth_smiling_eyes:

      www.lennywen.com
      https://www.instagram.com/lunartcy/

      nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • StudioLooong
        StudioLooong last edited by

        Send it now and send it again in a year. If you send a postcard and they aren't impressed with your work (which for the record, is not what I think will happen) they will just forget about it. There's no need to wait to make some sort of magical first impression. What I think is more likely to happen is you will send it out and some people will really like it, you spend a year revamping your portfolio and when you send it out again, those people will remember you from the last time, recognize that you are kicking butt and getting better than you already were and really want to work with you. Also, I think that your work is super professional already and you are likely to get work without the updates. The only thing that I would take into consideration is that some places have restrictions as to how often you can submit. Just make sure that you don't spam them with multiple submissions that violate their guidelines (but I feel like 1 year apart should be fine for most agencies and pubs).

        Taylor Woolley
        (Formerly Taylor Ackerman / StudioLooong)


        Website: www.woolleystories.com
        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woolleystories/

        nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
        • DaveLeekArt
          DaveLeekArt last edited by

          First off, I lack adequate experience and skill to provide the most valid feedback but from what I see, I think your work is fantastic and would definitely submit your portfolio. I think the 50/50 approach is always a smart way to go because you will always continue to add to your portfolio as you go but at least you can get your feet wet and get the ball rolling with a few publishers for now.

          Again, take it for what it is as I’m just an aspiring artist who doesn’t even have a portfolio yet but I think your work has a very professional and polished look to it and would share if it were mine.

          Instagram: @daveleekart

          nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • Nyrryl  Cadiz
            Nyrryl Cadiz SVS OG @nadyart last edited by

            @nadyart go for it girl!!!

            Portfolio: nyrrylcadiz.com
            Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyrryl_cadiz/
            YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbJCF1Im8ZO7hpGWTKOJMuA

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
            • Judy Elizabeth Wilson
              Judy Elizabeth Wilson SVS OG last edited by

              @nadyart What beautiful work! You are ready. The illustration with the animals on the cloud dropping leaves and sprinkling water is so gorgeous, it would fit right in to a ipcture book story.

              Website http://www.judyelizabethwilson.com/

              Instagram https://www.instagram.com/judyelizabethart/

              Sharing positivity through art.

              nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
              • NessIllustration
                NessIllustration Pro @nadyart last edited by

                @nadyart SEND!!! Your art is beautiful and you have a very unique mixed media style. If I was an agent I'd battle against other agents to sign you hihi

                vanessastoilova.com
                instagram.com/vanessa.stoilova/

                Check out my Youtube channel for tips on how to start your career in illustration! www.youtube.com/c/ArtBusinesswithNess

                nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • Zachary Drenski
                  Zachary Drenski last edited by

                  @nadyart Your art is beautiful! If you feel you're ready I say send. If you send, while continuing to learn and build your portfolio I don't see how you can go wrong.

                  nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • Laurel Aylesworth
                    Laurel Aylesworth last edited by

                    Oh my gosh, yes. I say go for it!

                    www.laurelaylesworth.com
                    instagram.com/laurelaylesworth

                    nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • robgale
                      robgale last edited by

                      Another vote for sending it out! There are always things we can work on and I am learning that people's portfolios are not so much finished as much as they are just a fluid, constantly evolving work in progress. I see your work and I think, oh yeah, totally I can see this in a book.

                      You're ready!

                      Rob Gale
                      instagram: www.instagram.com/robgalestudio/
                      website: www.robgaleillustration.com

                      nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • alicia
                        alicia last edited by

                        Gorgeous work! I say send it!

                        nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • peteolczyk
                          peteolczyk @nadyart last edited by

                          @nadyart just go for it Nadya 👍🎨 your works always going to change over time anyway.

                          www.peteolczykillustrations.com

                          www.instagram.com/pete_illustrations

                          nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • xin li
                            xin li last edited by

                            Go for it. Nadya.
                            I am in a similar situation. I plan to get my portfolio sent this month.
                            It is a bit scary for me as well, but It was really helpful to hear a lot of other SVS members' experiences here.

                            Web: www.lixin.no
                            IG: www.instagram.com/lixin.illustration/

                            nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • DOTTYP
                              DOTTYP @nadyart last edited by

                              @nadyart Yes definitely!! your work is beautiful

                              scribbles.artstation.com
                              www.instagram.com/dottypaints

                              nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • Eywin
                                Eywin last edited by

                                your art looks really great to me and I think the 50/50 approach is a good way. I think from each application, you will learn something and you get a view of what you should still improve.

                                nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • Griffin McPherson
                                  Griffin McPherson last edited by

                                  Looks like others have already said a lot of what I would say. So in short, yes you should send it! I'd say this is a relatively low risk thing to do so go for it!

                                  nadyart 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                  • Phil Cullen
                                    Phil Cullen last edited by

                                    Send it now! Love your work. You may get some good valuable feedback. Do 50/50 as you suggested but send your work to 'really intimidating' ones too. I did this, I sent out work to publishers working backwards on my list, not sending to dream clients firstof all and then I thought just for curiosity I'd send to one at the top of my list which was 'Random House' and they gave me a lovely reply commenting on my artwork and said they would show their colleagues. No work came from it but the response was a good boost, it was almost like at a time when I was questioning my direction their comments were some sort of validation if that makes sense.

                                    So my advice is just go for it, the responses, even if they are rejections, they may shed light on your direction!

                                    Good luck!

                                    www.instagram.com/phillip.cullen/
                                    www.facebook.com/phillipcullenillustration/

                                    xin li nadyart 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                    • xin li
                                      xin li @Phil Cullen last edited by

                                      @Phil-Cullen thank you for the good advice. I am in teh similar situation. Always good to hear from fellow artists who have done this process before.

                                      Web: www.lixin.no
                                      IG: www.instagram.com/lixin.illustration/

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                      • nadyart
                                        nadyart @lenwen last edited by

                                        @lenwen Thank you a lot!!

                                        http://www.instagram.com/nadyart
                                        http://www.nadyart.me

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • nadyart
                                          nadyart @StudioLooong last edited by

                                          @StudioLooong Thanks so much for your in depth response, I appreciate it a lot and it made me feel more hopeful :)!

                                          http://www.instagram.com/nadyart
                                          http://www.nadyart.me

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • nadyart
                                            nadyart @DaveLeekArt last edited by

                                            @Bricz-Art Thanks much for your weigh in, I appreciate it a lot!!

                                            http://www.instagram.com/nadyart
                                            http://www.nadyart.me

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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