Ready to join us at the table for an evening of illustration portfolio reviews -- very possibly yours?
Be Part of the Conversation About the Craft of Children's Book Art. For November's Single Session -- Or Monthly With Professionals in the Field, Like Chris...
Here's the Chance To Grow
Constructive group critiques are a critical part of every artist's training, whether they occur in a formal studio classroom or a group of artist friends.
Enjoy a fun, live mini-portfolio review by Chris S with Q&A
Art director Chris Schechner (Chris Schechner Graphic Design, Pockets children's magazine, The Upper Room, Roper Press, Wishbone Big Feats! Entertainment, Seligson Publishing, The Wise Agency, Singleton Productions) is this month's guest instructor for Guest Group Critiques.
He'll share tips on your and others' portfolio pieces in a live interactive live session starting at 8 p.m. (U.S. Central Time) Thursday, November 12.
Opt for the one event with Chris, or subscribe to monthly around-the-table talks by critiquers who create or work with art in children's publishing.
When you sign up, you'll receive details on where to be and how to upload your pieces and find the replay(s) afterward.
Get an outside perspective
Every month we sit down with people in ‘the biz’ to talk about what they’re doing and seeing ‘out there.’ Then we ask them to look at your work and offer comment in a teaching, mentoring spirit.
Learn to think like a pro
Whether it’s your piece being critiqued, or that of someone you’re ‘sitting at the table’ with, you’ll take away invaluable knowledge to help you later, when it’s just you behind that computer screen or drawing table facing the countless decisions that must be made.
Gain wisdom
The live critiques (most run less than 75 minutes) expose you to how these full-time creatives (illustrators, art directors, agents and some editors) evaluate the work.
Don't feel alone.
Meet your tribe. Make friends. Watch and get to know some expert practioners in the field. Hear their 'what I wish I knew then' stories -- just like you would at an out-of-state workshop retreat or an illustrators' or kidlit or comics conference (but at a teeny fraction of the cost.)
When you subscribe, you'll receive immediate access to replays of critiques we've enjoyed in recent months by the following talented illustrators:
Mira Reisberg
Karien Naude
Jeff Crosby
Marsha Riti
Christy Stallop
C.S. Jennings
Annette Simon
Mark Mitchell, moderator
Wendy Martin
Mary Sullivan
Discover how to get better at getting better
Just as important as absorbing the technical help and correction is learning how to navigate all the information you might receive in a critique. With exposure and practice, you'll start to understand the hierarchy of feedback and how to listen to it wisely, knowing what's valid for you or not.
While being reminded of the bedrock principles of draftsmanship, design, color and communication, you'll learn to find your way to your own good judgment and intuition.
You already know how regular, consistent, critiques by professionals of your most recent work by professionals can:
Toughen your skin
Develop your own powers of discernment, the confidence of making your own decisions, getting better at recognizing the problems in your work and other peoples’ work.knowing when to stop and when to keep on, when to fix or or start afresh.
Make you ready
Our online critiques are not meant to compete with/or substitute for the professional portfolio reviews at SCBWI or other kidlit or illustration conferences, but to better prepare you for them, so you can make the most of these golden networking opportunites.
Keep you fit
Prepare you not just for conferences, but sit-down sessions with a client or prospect, and for every Web post or promotional mailing.