reading 2

Your taste doesn't matter is chapter 4.

Making art for a client means:

• no one cares what you like/dislike, it's all about the client's wants/needs
• butt heads less, negotiate more
• do your best even if you hate the concept
• don't be afraid to rework things, sometimes it results in much stronger pieces
• try not to fall in love with your pieces. They could get change, scrapped, etc., but at the same time don't skimp on effort

Illustration Rule #2: Listen, ask, repeat. Your client may not have all their ducks in a row when it comes to commission details so it's your job to ask for as many as you can, write them down, and remember them. If you don't keep tabs on everything it could mean the difference between a roaring success and a serious failure.

reading 1

What are illustrations?

• images that show a story or concept or at least part of a bigger picture
• summarize accompanying texts
• draw attention to and/or emphasize accompanying texts
• comics/graphic novels/character designs count but are also a complex field on their own

Narrative vs. conceptual

• literal snippet from something bigger, compared to a metaphorical take on the whole

Standalone vs. sequential

• do you have one canvas or multiple parts to show your message with?

Illustrations are utilitarian AND decorative.

Illustration Rule #1: Don't be stupid. Don't assume you have the job before confirmation, don't make up the rules, don't tick off your clients, don't over/undersell yourself... Act like the professional you're trying to be.

illustration project 1 - turkey ad

what is illustration?

This illustration was created by Aleksei Bitskoff for BookTrust, a British charity that focuses on literacy. It looks to be digitally painted to inspire young people to read more, as well as to support books in general and the thoughts they inspire. Bitskoff lives and works on storybook illustrations in London, but he grew up in Estonia studying language intending to be an English teacher.
I chose this particular piece because to me this is one of the clearest examples of what illustration is and what it's meant to do for us. It's meant to captivate, to inspire, to involve us in the picture and make us curious about the source. It's not meant to give us a message, it's meant to tell us about it. You don't need words or fancy details to tell how much fun the little girl's having with her book and imagination because you can see it even in the blank spaces.

my illustration

These are some examples of my illustrative style. I sign most of my polished pieces as Whosamawhatsit, same as my personal art blog name.