For a long (loooong) time I have harboured a dream to illustrate children’s books. One of my resolutions is to get a portfolio started that is geared towards that market. The portfolio I have now is totally inappropriate since it was compiled with the computer games industry in mind and so is more horror and game character/location based.
What my portfolio needs to consist of:
1. Ten to fifteen pieces of my best work.
No half-hearted scribbles. I need to work on my colour skills this year (I knew I should have worked harder at this class in college).
2. A consistent style (if you’ve got different styles it might be better to have different portfolios).
I’m working on developing the style I have and simplifying it.
3. A range of subjects.
In the case of kid’s books: indoor, outdoor, night, day, groups, animals, different age groups/activities, unusual angles, etc.
So, I’ve got a long ways to go. As I study other illustrators and take an honest look at my own drawings, I don’t think my artistic skills are up to par yet but you’ve got to start somewhere. Hopefully in the process of working up a portfolio my abilities will improve and one of these years I’ll have something good enough to send to a publisher.
Above is my first sketch which I’m agonising over right now. I’m trying to figure out what to have in the background…simple or detailed, abstract shapes or proper drawn location, country or city. I think a bit more experimentation is in order but I’m happy with it so far.
Here’s a larger version
9 replies on “Bicycle Ride Sketch”
Every year I go in search of the perfect children’s book for my niece and nephew as part of their Christmas present. As much as I love a good storyline, my main criteria is that it have fabulous illustrations. And can I tell you? I would totally buy a book with your illustrations! I would love to see those little kids in color 🙂
Thanks Angela, that’s really encouraging for me to hear 🙂
I’m with Angela. I’ve only recently re-discovered children’s books through reading my niece bedtime stories when I babysit. I’m appalled what is being past of as illustrations. It seems that there is a whole anti-drawing fashion that dictates that the poorer the drawing skills the better.
Several observations. You would think that the best guide to the strength of your art would be small children. But I suppose few 4-year olds run their own blogs, and fewer still commission & buy books for the large publishing companies! Maybe what I perceive as poor artwork is simply a very minimalist scaled down illustration that is easy to transpose onto lunch boxes, t-shirts etc.
I love your illustrations and if forced to critique it, I’d suggest that the two main characters have more distinctive differences. They seem to have similar ears, noses and chins. But I can hardly draw my own name!
I know what you mean Paige, there does seem to be a trend at the moment for simplistic drawing, almost in the style of a child. Some of it I find quite engaging because I think it’s intentional, but sadly there’s a lot of bargain basement publishing out there too.
Thanks for your critique, I see what you mean about the similarities…in my mind the two characters are brother and sister so that’s why I did it. I might see if I can vary them slightly though.
They’re brill. I’m thinking about what names would be suitable for each of them, characters etc.I don’t know much about kids books but that would make me want to try and attempt to write something.I think it’s there faces express so much.keep it up!
Thanks Cyberscribe. I’d like to read that!
Hi Claire!
I’ve been checking your blog occasionally for a wee while now, and I’m please to say it’s always an amusing and enjoyable read. Good work!
Now, what I don’t know about illustration could fill a large textbook on illustration… nevertheless it was a mere 15 years ago that I read books with pictures of children and dogs on bicycles. Surely this makes me at least semi-qualified to comment?
* Remembering some of my favourite book series (‘Topsy and Tim’, ‘Biff, Kipper and Chip’…those were the days :D), the central characters were very distinctive and well defined. Do a few pictures showing that you can draw distinctive faces, but all in the same ‘style’. A few adult faces would be a good idea too. Incidentally, you’ve done a fine job of gender distinction while keeping the same ‘look’ to those two. They make very convincing siblings!
* Children’s books love to show cultural diversity. It’s probably a good idea to include in your portfolio a few pictures with characters from many different racial backgrounds.
* Demonstrating that you can draw the same character in many different positions (swimming, playing on a swing, sleeping, kicking a ball) is obviously a good thing too. I imagine it’s pretty hard to make a figure instantly recognisable in all these situations.
* Including a dog on the bike is a great idea. A publisher is likely to be impressed if you can draw lots of different animals in the same style. Maybe chuck some rabbits, fish, seagulls and goats in too?
* As far as background is concerned, a publisher probably wants to see that you can cope with (as you said) a range of subjects. On the other hand, perhaps it’s better to develop a matching signature style of drawing buildings and cars etc. Hmmm. The bike is a nice style though – it matches the kids well and doesn’t look out of place.
For this particular sketch, I’d have them whizzing down a hedge-lined country lane with fields of sheep in the background and some puffy clouds in a blue sky 🙂
You’ve probably already thought of all this stuff, so sorry if I’m filling up the internet by stating the obvious. Good luck with the portfolio, and keep blogging!
Rob (a.k.a. Gabb of FTP ilk)
Rob, thanks, those are really great points and I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog. I think I will take your suggestions about what you’d like to see in the background and just do it, I’ve been sitting on this illustration for too long.
Thanks!
I dig the dog a lot, he looks like the type to get into all kinds of mischief but you wouldn’t be able to help yourself from rubbing his belly and saying good boy