On this one, "Ella's Day Job" it seemed to go well. A few things that can be tweaked were maybe a few more contrast-y colors in the ladies hair in the back, but overall I was very pleased that everyone seemed to like it.
Thanks!
Dyann Joyce
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Class critique: "Ella's Day Job" by Dyann Joyce
Tomorrow is once again our children's book illustration class critique from Mark Mitchell's Make Your Marks and Splashes: A Power Course on Creating Effective Illustrations for Childrens Books, Magazines and Other Media for Children.
I added this one and am so excited!
On this one, "Ella's Day Job" it seemed to go well. A few things that can be tweaked were maybe a few more contrast-y colors in the ladies hair in the back, but overall I was very pleased that everyone seemed to like it.
Thanks!
Dyann Joyce
For more focus on the art side of Children's Books, fee free to visit my visual Children's Book art portfolio is Dyann Joyce Adventures of a Illustrator Author and my project-based blog is there with my current art projects and upcoming books I have illustrated.
On this one, "Ella's Day Job" it seemed to go well. A few things that can be tweaked were maybe a few more contrast-y colors in the ladies hair in the back, but overall I was very pleased that everyone seemed to like it.
Thanks!
Dyann Joyce
New children's book classes starting up
I also signed up for a few new classes, Will Terry's and Jake Parker's "Painting with Color and Light" Featuring Ty Carter from Bluesky studios and Mark Mitchells and Wendy Martin's "Vector Your Kidlit Art 6-week Adobe Illustrator Class" as with the apps, learning a painterly way to use vector (sizeable) art seems the perfect transition. Here is a free class intro and I am sure you can buy the recorded series after, View the recording we made of the free webinar.
This is a high Nouveau style of art from Echo-X that is Adobe Illustrator which I had no idea you could do things like this. Vector used to be only logos and more commercial graphic art, but not anymore!
Thanks! Dyann Joyce
For more focus on the art side of Children's Books, fee free to visit my visual Children's Book art portfolio is Dyann Joyce Adventures of a Illustrator Author and my project-based blog is there with my current art projects and upcoming books I have illustrated.
This is a high Nouveau style of art from Echo-X that is Adobe Illustrator which I had no idea you could do things like this. Vector used to be only logos and more commercial graphic art, but not anymore!
Thanks! Dyann Joyce
Tonight is our Group Critique- so exciting!
For Mark Mitchell's Make
Your Marks and Splashes: A Power Course on Creating Effective
Illustrations for Childrens Books, Magazines and Other Media for
Children
we have a monthly critique for members.
I always get super excited and butterflies in the stomach!
Here is mine for this month:
I think part of the growth
experienced in a course is looking at other's art and getting feedback
on yours. Its very supportive and helps not only with improvements, but
many bounce off ideas that can help make your art the best it can be
when getting it ready for a client, conference, submission, or
publisher.
I will post notes on my critique soon!
Dyann
UPDATE: What I thought was cute and whimsical evidently the beauty was in the eye of the beholder haha, as he was described as a "slithering nightmare" by Mark!
For more focus on the art side of Children's Books, fee free to visit my visual Children's Book art portfolio is Dyann Joyce Adventures of a Illustrator Author and my project-based blog is there with my current art projects and upcoming books I have illustrated.
we have a monthly critique for members.
I always get super excited and butterflies in the stomach!
Here is mine for this month:
 | ||
| "Basilisk" watercolor, by Dyann Joyce |
I will post notes on my critique soon!
Dyann
UPDATE: What I thought was cute and whimsical evidently the beauty was in the eye of the beholder haha, as he was described as a "slithering nightmare" by Mark!
2014 should be a year of adventure!
I promised myself I would take more challenges and submit my art and stories for critiques and for contests, juried shows, etc.
For many years I competed with my dogs, and it was no question on entering under several judges and taking the time and thought to prepare. So why not enter myself and my passion in the same types of things?
I am enjoying Mark Mitchell's "Make Your Marks and Splashes" group immensely and the monthly critiques. I think I have learned just as much seeing other people work and the critiques on it, as much as my own.
I have been slammed this past few months since November really and I am turning in finals on several projects. 2014 should be a great launch year. I cant wait to see some of this work on shelves. Its really a dream come true!
I just turned in several watercolors for Karen Hood for her amazing Rottweiler series, and what fun that was. Several projects are just now finishing up, so I am just so happy for the opportunity to work with some great authors.
For many years I competed with my dogs, and it was no question on entering under several judges and taking the time and thought to prepare. So why not enter myself and my passion in the same types of things?
I am enjoying Mark Mitchell's "Make Your Marks and Splashes" group immensely and the monthly critiques. I think I have learned just as much seeing other people work and the critiques on it, as much as my own.
I have been slammed this past few months since November really and I am turning in finals on several projects. 2014 should be a great launch year. I cant wait to see some of this work on shelves. Its really a dream come true!
I just turned in several watercolors for Karen Hood for her amazing Rottweiler series, and what fun that was. Several projects are just now finishing up, so I am just so happy for the opportunity to work with some great authors.
 | |
| from Karen Jean Hood's upcoming Rottweiler series, artist Dyann Joyce |
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
The BEST Children's Book Education Courses 2013
The Best Children's Book Education Courses
The one thing I fully recommend is to never stop educating yourself in the field you choose. In the past 10 years, things have changed dramatically in the opportunity for creative. Locality is not an obstacle for opportunity. It also has heightened the talent pool for publishers and clients.Talent is one thing of course, and passion. BUT to effectively be the best you can be, treat this as any other profession and educate yourself.
I signed up for many reasons, including a sense of community and these are some of the best Children's Book Courses to educate yourself to be a Children's Book illustrator and my, Dyann Callahan, experience with them:
* Mark Mitchell's Make Your Marks and Splashes: A Power Course on Creating Effective Illustrations for Childrens Books, Magazines and Other Media for Children
I love this course! I think for a overall experience its invaluable as to the resources and monthly open critiques. My local SCBWI (Society Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) group is mostly writers, so the critiques here are a wonderful way to learn. Each week Mark Mitchell post interviews and open streaming webinars from authors, publishers, or other illustrators and has a Wiggio open board for posts and support.
* Will Terry's Folio Academy courses and blog
I check his blog weekly for great videos such as this:
My Speech To Illustration Students - Part 1 - Will Terry
SVS- School of Visual Storytelling
Will Terry has opened the SVS- School of Visual Storytelling that is a tremendous resource. I am a student a WKU and like most colleges, they do not offer anything but studio art, 2D, or ceramics. Not even a digital painting course. The value and impact of courses like
Painting in Photoshop Power day
Will Terry
Brooke Boynton Hughes
Zac Retz
Kevin Keele
Thanks for reading! If you know of any more, please add them in the comments!
Dyann Joyce
"Maraldia - City of Orphans" children's book cover progression
I sent off a few articles for The Street newspaper last week and we will see if they use them. The air is changing and its hard to believe its October already! A year ago I had the pleasure of illustrating
"Maraldia - City of Orphans" for author Paul Schonschack, Amazon link here and what a treat it was. It is an amazing story full of hope and all profits go to the Zambia orphanage, Living Hope International (LHI).
I had my husband pose his hand holding a Christmas ornament for the cover of this children's book. Originally in natural colors as the story is set in a small village, think a shire like in The Hobbit, I used vegetable dye and hand purposed colors of the forest. He wanted a striped shirt, pirate style, and a golden carved ornament (the whole look of the book was to be sketchy Alice in Wonderland styled pen and inks). It seemed a bit bland, so I did a second cover for the novel in crystalline primary colors to reflect the age group a bit more and have more shelf appeal.
For more focus on the art side of Children's Books, fee free to visit my visual Children's Book art portfolio is Dyann Joyce Adventures of a Illustrator Author and my project-based blog is there with my current art projects and upcoming books I have illustrated.
"Maraldia - City of Orphans" for author Paul Schonschack, Amazon link here and what a treat it was. It is an amazing story full of hope and all profits go to the Zambia orphanage, Living Hope International (LHI).
I had my husband pose his hand holding a Christmas ornament for the cover of this children's book. Originally in natural colors as the story is set in a small village, think a shire like in The Hobbit, I used vegetable dye and hand purposed colors of the forest. He wanted a striped shirt, pirate style, and a golden carved ornament (the whole look of the book was to be sketchy Alice in Wonderland styled pen and inks). It seemed a bit bland, so I did a second cover for the novel in crystalline primary colors to reflect the age group a bit more and have more shelf appeal.
The last was the final used on the cover of "Maraldia - City of Orphans" and I love it!
Dyann Joyce
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Hello again! Freelancing, stick figures, and keeping it fun
Well, hello again! It's been a busy couple of years at the plate for the perfect blog post, and when you wait for perfection time flies by. Time is precious, so instead I am going to update weekly is more of a learning journey
Welcome to my blog and hopefully we can take this journey together
I have been taking trying to educate myself is so much more is involved becoming a brand than just the actual art. Think 90% success anymore is the perseverance through social media, conferences, and networking.
In the past few years I I've been a full-time freelance writer and illustrator, to further my lifelong dreams and passion for a life of creativity. After working in a dental lab as a ceramist ( glorified tooth fairy!) for over a decade under a microscope, I look forward to everyday as an opportunity to create and hopefully impart information, comedy, and a few smiles with this blog.
My days are full, doesn't seem to be enough hours now that I am truly following my passion ! I can be found usually in the studio creating art surround about my whimsical little creatures - my cresties! and get the question so much - why haven't you done this 10 years ago, 15 years ago, why wait till now?
I think the market has changed so much with the Internet as you don't have to be local or pound the pavement as they say to drop off portfolios in person. in just the last five years alone there are more opportunities now more than ever.
But also there's more competition as distance is really not a factor like it once was. this is good and bad. as a freelancer, every day, the people you compete with have a very low cost for daily life. Ns s It would be nice to spent years getting ready in learning and perfecting my art and just wait for the big contracts to come in. but in reality, I am a working artist a lot of my portfolio are paid projects. I have taken the road to learn as I experience. many blogs are right in saying "do not quit your day job," or keep a source of income intact while developing your portfolio. I can't complain, as every day is different and I look forward to new projects. I used to have a passion for color pencils, graphite art, and pen and ink art. In trying to become a real artist, and taken seriously, I switched to oils. But now I am a freelancer, ironically - the medium I am most hired for is watercolor.
Here are some samples in my portfolio www.freelanced.com/Jynxx - the ironic thing about the site is that I've had the most views of any site with my portfolio, 10,000 views in the first three months, but due to the flooding of workers I rarely get jobs there. Compared to just two years ago, all the freelancing sites really exploded with new workers. Since I like to work in many styles, Viva la Freelancing!
It does get one used to rejection, and I joke to other artists, with freelancing I am rejected to 10 times a day. Don't take it personally, sometimes your style works and sometimes it doesn't - no matter the quality it may not match the vision. I think art is the only occupation that amateurs have the same chance as experienced workers- as it so objectionable. I mean if someone was working on my car with 20 years experience, as opposed six months, I would have more confidence in them. But with art- beauty really is the eye of the beholder- no matter how cliché that sounds.
To prove a point I was turned down for a job to draw stick figures ( the type on back of a minivan) at the same time I was in a gallery show at the Morrison gallery Elizabethtown, Ky. actually since then a bit on more jobs will stick figures and I'm always turned down, I consider it a personal goal now!
Thanks for visiting !
Dyann
For more focus on the art side of Children's Books, fee free to visit my visual Children's Book art portfolio is Dyann Joyce Adventures of a Illustrator Author and my project-based blog is there with my current art projects and upcoming books I have illustrated.
Welcome to my blog and hopefully we can take this journey together
I have been taking trying to educate myself is so much more is involved becoming a brand than just the actual art. Think 90% success anymore is the perseverance through social media, conferences, and networking.
In the past few years I I've been a full-time freelance writer and illustrator, to further my lifelong dreams and passion for a life of creativity. After working in a dental lab as a ceramist ( glorified tooth fairy!) for over a decade under a microscope, I look forward to everyday as an opportunity to create and hopefully impart information, comedy, and a few smiles with this blog.
My days are full, doesn't seem to be enough hours now that I am truly following my passion ! I can be found usually in the studio creating art surround about my whimsical little creatures - my cresties! and get the question so much - why haven't you done this 10 years ago, 15 years ago, why wait till now?
I think the market has changed so much with the Internet as you don't have to be local or pound the pavement as they say to drop off portfolios in person. in just the last five years alone there are more opportunities now more than ever.
But also there's more competition as distance is really not a factor like it once was. this is good and bad. as a freelancer, every day, the people you compete with have a very low cost for daily life. Ns s It would be nice to spent years getting ready in learning and perfecting my art and just wait for the big contracts to come in. but in reality, I am a working artist a lot of my portfolio are paid projects. I have taken the road to learn as I experience. many blogs are right in saying "do not quit your day job," or keep a source of income intact while developing your portfolio. I can't complain, as every day is different and I look forward to new projects. I used to have a passion for color pencils, graphite art, and pen and ink art. In trying to become a real artist, and taken seriously, I switched to oils. But now I am a freelancer, ironically - the medium I am most hired for is watercolor.
Here are some samples in my portfolio www.freelanced.com/Jynxx - the ironic thing about the site is that I've had the most views of any site with my portfolio, 10,000 views in the first three months, but due to the flooding of workers I rarely get jobs there. Compared to just two years ago, all the freelancing sites really exploded with new workers. Since I like to work in many styles, Viva la Freelancing!
It does get one used to rejection, and I joke to other artists, with freelancing I am rejected to 10 times a day. Don't take it personally, sometimes your style works and sometimes it doesn't - no matter the quality it may not match the vision. I think art is the only occupation that amateurs have the same chance as experienced workers- as it so objectionable. I mean if someone was working on my car with 20 years experience, as opposed six months, I would have more confidence in them. But with art- beauty really is the eye of the beholder- no matter how cliché that sounds.
To prove a point I was turned down for a job to draw stick figures ( the type on back of a minivan) at the same time I was in a gallery show at the Morrison gallery Elizabethtown, Ky. actually since then a bit on more jobs will stick figures and I'm always turned down, I consider it a personal goal now!
Thanks for visiting !
Dyann
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