Do I belong at SVS?

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Jenna-Jenks people here are really nice and respecting. They always willing to help put no matter your style. Give it a try. It’s free even if you’re not a subscriber.

[Coreyartus]

@Jenna-Jenks , there is room for everything here. We've had posts where artists share fabric prints, maquettes, spaceship models made from random found pieces--I myself have posted theatrical costume designs which are only loosely related to illustration and are "storytelling" in a fourth-cousin-twice-removed sense...

But something I've learned in the short time I've been here on these forums:

Regardless of your particular style there are ways to use it to tell a story. If realism is your thing, then figure out how to use that natural inclination to help tell a story. There are LOTS of realistic artists that have used their styles (yes, styleS--because realism can be a lot of different things) to help tell all kinds of wonderful stories in wonderful ways. You may love creating portraits, but look at how much story the likes of Rockwell, Leyendecker, and Sargent put into their work. A "simple" painting of a person becomes a novel in the imagination of the viewer. No one can say they don't look at their work and claim they don't know volumes about the subject in them. Lean into your storytelling. Guide your viewers. Ponder the advice of the fabulous, inspiring, empathetic, trustworthy participants here on these forums. You have permission to have a viewpoint in your pieces--opinions, feelings, thoughts. That's the bridge you can cross to make your expressions have a deeper meaning than just authentic reproductions. You are more than a pencil filter, or human camera, or organic algorithm. Lean into all that possibility. Own it.

I bet you'll find you're more of a storyteller than you thought, and it can be a tool to help you create more intriguing work, and you'll be able to exploit your social media in a new and interesting way.

Just my 2¢.

[Lee White]

@Coreyartus Great point! If anyone turns in something as good as a painting by JC lyendecker, I can guarantee they will win any contest!

[carlianne]

@Jenna-Jenks Thanks so much! I have seen posts about social media and networking here plenty of times, so I still think this should still be helpful to you. If you haven't checked out the podcasts or classes yet there are a couple on networking and social media that should be helpful to you.

Good luck!

[Jenna Jenks]

@chrisaakins thanks Chris ️I agree with you, SVS does have quite a lot of value to offer. I really respect Will, Jake, and Lee and the advice that they share via YouTube (ultimately why I came here.) I am checking out many of the podcasts in the business section, and I plan to explore more because I am always interested in upping my game even if illustration isn't my main goal as an artist, the lessons are still quite valid for all artists

[Jenna Jenks]

@deborah-Haagenson have you transitioned into strictly digital art now? I do a lot of my art at my other job during downtime and all of my breaks gotta love inventory control! Would love to see your other work in oil too ️

[Jenna Jenks]

@Aaron_T any lessons that give you a new perspective are always aces in my book

[Jenna Jenks]

@danielerossi thanks for the art love and the warm welcome ️ checked out your Instagram, and I think it's marvelous that you are making a book for those that have a stutter!

[Jenna Jenks]

@Nyrryl-Cadiz thanks for the warm welcome! ️ I will be sticking around for a bit if only because you guys are quite a lovely bunch

[Jenna Jenks]

@Coreyartus
Thanks for the insights ️ You guys have been very welcoming and knowing that the group is an amalgam of creative folk is definitely encouraging to stick around and explore further. I actually do write as well although nothing to the tune of what I draw! ️

[Jenna Jenks]

@carlianne yes! Thanks! ️ I have been perusing the business classes

[danielerossi]

@Jenna-Jenks Thanks! It’s a labour of love

[Lee White]

@Jenna-Jenks One thing to keep in mind with the direction you are going. Since you are offering these items for sale on your website, you are violating trademarks and copyrights when you are using an existing image as your source. At a small scale, you probably won't get caught, but it's just something to be aware of. be careful and try to change up your source material (new pose, lighting, etc) and don't just use 1 source image. i know comic cons, etc. are filled with copyright violations that are for sale, but that doesn't make it any more legal. Those people just aren't getting caught. It's like driving through a stop sign when there is no cop around. You don't get a ticket, but it's still illegal. : )

[RG Spaulding]

@Jenna-Jenks Your art is beautiful. Many times I feel out of place in the illustration world because I like to draw realistic or semi-realistic also and I don't see many children's book illustrators that I can identify with except a few. I still haven't figured out what my style is and I have heard some critiques that my art is not stylized enough. But I still enjoy taking the classes here and the folks here are very talented and nice also and give positive criticism on how I can change my work to fit into the Children's book industry which is what I am interested in.

Did I read elsewhere that you just moved to SF? Or maybe I am mistaken! I live an hour and a half (with traffic) south of SF. Welcome to the group.

@Lee-White amazing vase painting! Now here I thought you are very abstract painterly! It is good to see the many sides of our instructors!

[BichonBistro]

@RG-Spaulding @Jenna-Jenks check out children's books illustrated by Barry Moser (I have "My Dog Rosie" and "Our New Puppy") for beautiful examples of realism. I am in awe of the way he simplifies shapes, uses negative space and creates stunning designs against minimalist backgrounds, using light, shadow and color.

[RG Spaulding]

@BichonBistro , Thank you. I will definitely check it out.

[danielerossi]

@Lee-White I didn’t realize it in that sense. I guess because I didn’t actually draw the characters the way they look but only implied. Like they do in newspaper comic strips when they parody other people’s work. Great analogy with the stop sign. I had been planning to take down that merchandise when they expire on Etsy in a few months as they weren’t selling anyway. I’ll do that now. Thanks for the tip!

[Lee White]

@danielerossi glad that tip helped, but I actually meant it for @Jenna-Jenks. You guys let me know if you have any questions about this stuff. I love chatting about it. : )

[Heather Boyd]

@Jenna-Jenks I think the classes are for anyone who finds value in them. The forum is full of artists and illustrators working through their own challenges and seek community with like mind peeps. Concerning the contests -they may not pick yours as a winner but you will learn a ton of applicable knowledge, from 3 different (and sometimes similar) perspectives. For the last few I have not participated in. By no means feel less if you don't join in and especially if you don't win. I hope you stay, I really like your groot/baby groot (I haven't watched the most recent one, waiting for it on cable). And if you want to explore other avenues don't feel guilty, we will support you.

[danielerossi]

@Lee-White I appreciate you teaching us When I first started using Etsy, I was surprised at all the copyright violations all over it. Having taken a step back, I see now how much I also made myself look very unoriginal! Not what I want in the first place. I guess I mixed up Instagram fan art in my head. Thanks for always teaching