Waiting on approval for sketches on a small illustration project.
Thought I would share a bit about illustrationg. I am represented by Wilkinson Studios out of Chicago. They deal primarily with educational materials publishers.
I used to think it would be so great to be an illustrator. Dont get me wrong, I like doing it, but it is not what I had expected. I see posts on some of the art message boards about how they would love to illustrate a childrens book. I watch Desperate Houswives and Susan (Teri Hatcher's character) is suppose to be a children's book illustrator. Well, I dont know how she can afford that big house of hers with all the running around she does. Hardly ever see her working. She must have a trust fund somewhere or got a good deal on her divorce! :-)
It's alot of work, when you have it. You dont have to be the greatest artist (look at the books out there), but you do have to meet deadlines and be flexible.
It also helps to be able to draw people/characters in action and doing things. I struggle with this part alot and I think it is the hardest part of illustrating.
You have to get in the client's brain sometimes as sometimes they are specific and sometimes not. And even when they are specific, you wonder what they were thinking.
It helps to know industry terms. I was not trained in that field and so I ask alot of questions from my rep.
Later, I will post about how I got represented.
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