Telling a story

© Copryright Alicia Padrón 2010

I often get asked this question, "What should I include in my children's book portfolio?" and my answer is always the same. Animals, kids, anything else you love to draw... but don't forget to always try tell a story with your art.

But what does that really mean? And why is telling a story so important?

When you illustrate a book you are given a beautiful gift. You have the opportunity to visually tell the story you want to tell. Of course you have to illustrate the writer's words but a great illustrator always finds a way to say more. There has even been cases were the art says something completely different than the text, so there are two parallel stories being told.

The important thing to understand is that, as visual artists, we have the responsibility to take the child into a wonderful world. Remember that some of these kids don't even read yet so they are "reading" the book through your art. The art has to speak to them. Has to spark their imaginations and has to make them curious as to what comes next in the story.

Your portfolio should be no different. You want to tell a story with your art. Even though each page of your portfolio is not linked, you want to individually make a statement with each image. Images that tell stories speak to both young and older audiences. There is something about them that make you wonder and always raises questions:

Why are the characters there? How are they feeling? What will the do next?

Like with the sketch above. I knew I wanted to have a kid and a dog asking for three wishes. There are tons of ways to make that point across, but by experimenting with characters, angles, perspective and composition you can make a so-so image be a wonderful image that grabs you right then at first glance and makes you ask those questions. Why are the characters there? How are they feeling? What will the do next?

Always try to think of situations when creating art for your portfolio. Think beyond the obvious. What are the characters feeling at the moment? Is my art telling you this?

Make the characters interact with one another. Imagine you are the director of a film and just yelled "action!". Actors don't just turn around, look at the camera, stand still and smile do they? No, they act. They interact. They are interesting and alive. Your art should be no different.

We are so lucky to be able to illustrate for children. I'm sure you all have fond memories of a favorite book you had as a child. And I bet you that even tough the story was amazing it was the art that spoke to you. The images are still imprinted in your mind as if it was yesterday, aren't they? How powerful is that?

Don't take your images lightly. Always make the best of them.

Posting via email

If you have a blog in blogger then you can take advantage of this easy way of posting. Just send an email and voila you get an instant new post on your blog.

I found about this a few weeks ago when I wasn't home and was at a place with no internet connection. I needed to post that day and only had my handy dandy iphone with me, which is almost as good as a notebook as I'm sure Steve would agree. ;o)

So here is how it's done:

When you are in the dashboard and are able to see all your blogs in blogger, look for a small envelope icon just next to the title of your blog and click on it.

A new window appears that lets you create some secret words which will be added to a new email address you are creating. Make sure not to loose this and not share it. I'm sure you got the point by the term secret words.. You don't want strangers posting as you on your blog. That would be bad. ;o)

Click "save".

Now the email address you created will look something like this:

YourUserName.YourSecretWord.blogger.com

Now to the fun part!

Go to your email.

Create a new email.

Add the email address you just created to the recipient's email box.

Don't forget the subject of the email because that will be your title for the post.

Then on the body of the email, write your post.

Hit send.

Now run, open your blog and see, it should be there. :o)

tip: if you are posting via your iphone, remember to delete the "sent from my iphone" part. I forgot to do that when I posted the first time. Hee...

Great links- A Portfolio Makeover

I've mentioned several times in the past what a big fan I am of Christopher Denise's work. I don't know if you know but besides making beautiful books he also blogs.

He recently posted about portfolios and what it takes to have a critical eye when it come to your own work. Updating and editing portfolio pieces and leaving only your best work is no easy task. He starts by saying less is in fact more and he found a solution on how to pick the best pieces. Click here if you want to know more.

Tips for illustrators

© Copyright Alicia Padrón

I get emails and questions regarding how to go about illustrating for children. It's hard starting out, so many options nowadays, right? I get it's difficult at times to know which route to take or what should be the first step into the right direction.

Do I send single postcards or promotional package mailings? Do I really have to advertise on a portfolio site? Should I go to NY for portfolio drop offs? Should I get an agent? Should I attend a conference, is it worth it? Do I really need a website and how should it be? What should I include in my portfolio?

These are just a few of the questions people ask themselves starting out.

I try to answer emails whenever I have a chance and I also have a formspring page where people can ask me questions and I do my best to answer them. Here are a couple of questions I've answered there, you can check the site if you'd like to read for more:

What would you say is a common mistake you see in some artist's portfolios?

Hmm, well something that comes to mind is the lack of storytelling.

If we are talking children's book portfolio here, and I assume we are, then I think it is really important to tell a story with your art.

I often see many artist's pieces with wonderful characters, beautifully rendered but nothing is happening. Sometimes the character is looking at the viewer as if someone took a picture of him or her and to me, that's another mistake.

If we are talking illustration for a book and not the cover (cover is different) then I think characters have to interact with one another and have to give the feeling that they are unaware that we (the viewer) are watching them. That's what I do when I'm working on a piece, I always have that in my mind.

A good portfolio illustration has to leave you wanting more. Has to raise some questions.. why is the character doing that? What will happen next?

To me that is the key to a great children's book illustration.

Do you have an agent? Would you recommend one?

I do have an agent. As far as recommending to have one, I think it depends on the type of person you are.

I believe there are two types of artists. The ones that like to be involved in all matters, that are somewhat extroverts, don't mind handling fees and asking for higher pay. That can keep track of clients when not paying on time and that don't mind handling contracts.

And then there are artists that just want to draw. I'm in this group. :o)

I am very bad at negotiating and contract terms etc, so for me an agent makes perfect sense. I don't mind sharing a percentage with them because they truly earn it doing all those things I don't want to do.

But if you think you can handle these things on your own then you can certainly be without an agent.

Children's illustrators can find jobs on their own without agents, no problem. Make sure you advertise on portfolio sites and send promotional postcards regularly. Of course, always have your work online on your personal website and make sure your portfolio is appropriate for children's books.

One thing that is important to know is this, if you are an illustrator and don't have any intention of writing and want representation, you might want to look for an artist rep and not an agent. Reps handle the educational market which is the bread and butter these days.
So you could be busier doing ed work on a daily bases.

Art reps usually take a higher percentage than literary agents, around 30% (edited: I mistakenly had 45% before, sorry) , so you have to take that in mind as well.

Literary agents usually focus only on trade and it's a slower process, but they take around 15% cut.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure to take your time choosing and agent/rep. Ask a lot of questions, they like this and expect it too. The agent-client relationship is a close and important one. You want to feel comfortable with your agent or rep and hopefully have a long lasting career together.

I also recently found this wonderful blog from a talented illustrator, Jonas Sickler, where he gives great tips for everyone not just for people starting out. You should definitely check it out.

Always take advantage of the web, there is tons of valuable information out there! I know I never stop reading, learning and trying to keep up with what's new. It never truly stops, you really have to just keep moving along with it. Practicing, sketching and getting informed.

(Oh, and in case you are wondering who is that up there.. that's Ralphie, my website's tour guide. He's on a break. )