Archive for June, 2009

My First Published Work

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This September 4 of my illustrations will be featured in a new book by author Martin Dawber called ‘Big Book Of Contemporary Illustration’.

This is something that has been in the pipeline for a while now, but have only just heard from the author when the official release date will be.

Website addresses will be featured along side each illustrators work, so it will be interesting to see if the exposure results in any commissions - I’ll be sure to keep you updated.

You may be interested to know that I was approached to be featured in the book after the authors researchers found my work on Illustration Friday, having illustrated one of their weekly topics.

Taking part in weekly challenges like those on Illustration Friday is not only fun, a great way to practice and create new portfolio pieces - you also never know who else is watching!

Another Sneak Peak: The Magpie

Finished this one earlier, but here’s a little preview at the half way point.

Next up: ‘The Barn Owl’!

Going From zero2illo: Lessons Learned So Far (Part 1)

It’s been nearly 4 months since I embarked on this journey from full time Graphic Designer to full time Illustrator, so I thought it would be a good time to take stock of where I am and share with you the lessons I’ve learned so far:

1: Even the most well thought out plans will change and evolve over time

One of the most important things I’ve learned since deciding to really go for my goal of becoming a full time illustrator is that even the most well thought out plans can change.

As you progress along your journey from zero 2 illo you may discover that the type of work you’d like to do or genre you thought you’d like to work in actually isn’t right for you.

I love fantasy & sci-fi art (most of my favourite artists work in this arena), so I naturally thought that this is what I wanted to be working on, but to my surprise the direction that my portfolio was going in and the work I enjoyed producing the most was very different to what I had originally envisioned.

The lesson here is to not be afraid of changing your plans if what you’re doing doesn’t feel right - even if you change your path, as long as you are moving towards something - you are moving in the right direction. Read the rest of this entry

Work In Progress: The Kingfisher

Here’s a little sneak peak at the first of a new set of 12 illustrations that I’m working on for the ‘passive income’ project - trying to incorporate some torn paper for added texture.

Should hopefully have the first 4 illos competed by the weekend ready to launch the new site next week - watch this space for more wip’s over the next few days!

Week In Review & The Week Ahead 15th-21st June

Busy, busy, busy with design work again this past week - scrambling to fit everything in before my baby girl makes an appearance (still 2 weeks until the due date, but you never know!).

As for illustration work, I’ve now set up my website for the ‘passive income project’ that I mentioned last week and even completed the first collage illustration too (which I’m actually pretty pleased with) - anyone following me on twitter will have seen the work in progress ‘twitpic’ that I put up this week.

I’ll be twitpic-ing the final illustration tomorrow and then it’s straight on to illo number 2 in the series of 12. The plan is to get 4 completed illustrations ready prior to launching the new website next month.

Once launched, I’ll be writing a post for the blog titled ‘Earning Passive Income From Your Illustrations’ which will explain my approach, plans for the project and lots of tips on how you too can earn passive income from your work.

This past week I also confirmed another interview for the blog with an amazing traditional and digital illustrator working in the field of comics. I’m really excited about this one as he is one of my favourite artists, but he is busy with an ongoing monthly comic at the moment so it may be a week or two until I’m able to reveal who the interview is with.

The Week Ahead

• I’m planning a new blog post for later this week all about the lessons learned so far since starting out on this journey to become a full-time illustrator (didn’t get chance to write last weeks post on ‘pricing’ so have postponed it for a month or so until I gather some more resources and experience to share with you)
• Plan and complete the 2nd & 3rd illustration for the new series - watch this space for a sneak peak as I may just post some ‘work in progress’ pics on the blog throughout the week!

Despite my plans - if all goes quiet for a week or so on the blog, you’ll know that the big day has arrived and I’ll be buried under a pile of nappies

Catch Up & The Week Ahead 8th-14th June

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted one of these catch-up reviews, partly due to a heavy workload (on the design front) but also as I’ve been planning a way to earn passive income from my illustrations that I’m not quite ready to announce yet (setting up a new website specifically for this and of course, I also have to create the illustrations too!)

Watch out for a post on ‘Earning Passive Income From Your Illustrations’ in the coming weeks - and I’m not talking about stock library illustration here!

I hope you enjoyed the interview with awesome illustrator ‘Cory Godbey’ last week. I’m also working on an interview with an award winning children’s book illustrator and trying to land an interview with a well known comic book interior and cover artist too - so lot’s of good stuff to look forward to.

The week ahead

• My main aim this week (as long as my daughter doesn’t make an appearance - still got a few weeks until she is due, but you never know!!) is to plan & sketch out the series of 12 illustrations for my new passive income project.
• Write this weeks post on ‘What To Charge For Your Illustrations?’