How can I improve my portfolio?

I want to improve my portfolio. This may seem like a no-brainer. Duh, who doesn't want an improved portfolio? The question is how, exactly. How can I make my portfolio more appealing to art buyers and art reps?

I read a very interesting article written by Christine Tugeau, an artists representative specializing in children's illustrators: What a Character!

"But now, concentrating on character development, the artist should take that memorable image and show what has come before, or what will happen after, in another couple of images or vignettes. If art assigners only see one image they don't know for sure if the artist can produce that SAME character again. Will it look right in the next image with a new emotion and interaction? Will the artists be consistent and solid in their characterization, palette and story pacing? Are the artists able to be as strong in drawing, color, and composition beyond the one piece?"

So, step #1 in improving my portfolio will be to take Christine's advice. (By the way, she has several articles on her website which I highly recommend.)

Here are two of the sketches I'm currently working on. They aren't finished sketches, more like "stop and pick up my youngest from kindergarten, eat lunch, back to school to bring penguin cupcakes for my other daughter's second grade class" in-progress sketches. However, my plan for this week will be to draw this little tomboy and her pal in at least four or five different scenes.

clumsy submission

Both of my children posed in my husbands clumsy boots and I went with my sons pose because he's smaller and there was more topply drama. In the photo he had a huge smile and Nutella on his face, here he has on the "my mom is drawing attention to me embarrassment face". I think that in addition to the boots being the Illustration Friday prompt, clumsy, I think the painting itself is a little clumsy with odd arm angles and floaty furniture placement but I do like the face and boots so here it is.

Balancing Act

Sometimes life just feels like a balancing act! Trying to balance family, friends, jobs, home, and the other committments that fills one's life is a big challenge. Trying to balance the elements in my compositions is another kind of challenge on a lesser scale. Here's to a week of finding balance both large and small.

How many sketches?

These are some sketches I did for a group postcard sent out in 2008. I think it's fun to share all the discarded ideas, and to ponder if you made the right choice for concepts. I actually wish I chose a few others before the one I ended up painting, seen below. Particularly the hug off the school bus. There's something about that one that gets me every time. I think I'm just a sucker for hugs!I've also changed my style so my kids have eyeballs rather than just dots. So many people do 'just dots' successfully but I don't think I was getting the most emotion out of my characters that way. I also used to 'paint' blush with photoshop, now that I'm better at painting, I just use gouache and it looks much more natural.

Nicole Huot (aka Honeydew Studio)

As usual, here I come straggling in late. Only this time it's with my post. Sorry everyone! Better late than never, non?
I'm Nicole Huot and like all of the other talented ladies in our group, I'm also an illustrator. I received my BFA in illustration back in 2000. A decade later I find myself working on a second degree...only this one is in graphic design. I absolutely love learning new things, but being in school in addition to holding down a job and maintaining a household really takes its toll. My little Etsy shop where I sell my illustrations has been a bit neglected, my art desk is collecting dust, and I haven't been able to attend a meeting with any of my fellow bloggers in quite some time.
However, it is a new year, and that signals a fresh start. (Or at least the good intentions to begin anew, right?) I'll be graduating from my program in almost exactly one year. In the meantime, I'm hoping to balance all the crazy aspects of my life and make time to do what I love - drawing and painting! This blog will be a good (and much needed) nudge in that direction.

Something I've Been Working On

Meet witch. She's a character I've been working on. I've thought about names, but haven't decided on one yet. Mostly I've been drawing her in different settings. I find her intriguing and fun to draw. I discover things about her each time I draw her. For example, in this drawing I discovered that she has a thing for fashion. The hat and scarf were ideas from The Sartorialist. Her pointed hat just wouldn't work in this New England winter. Too cold! (It's perfect for October, though.)

Here she is on a rainy September day in Boston:


Other things you may want to know about her:

She likes to tango and spend time at the spa. She is a chef.

Vita Mechachonis

Hi Everyone! My name is Vita Mechachonis, and yes I too am an illustrator! I live in Portsmouth, NH, and I love it here on the seacoast. I like walking out my door and smelling the deliciously salty sea air. I love freshly baked carob brownies, and avacados - but not together. I'm addicted to yoga, and I have freckles and fair skin. I have the most perfect well-behaved loyal mutt in the world, and two beautiful nieces, who even though are just babies, already have me wrapped around their little fingers. I'm really into listening to books on cd while I work, or pandora.com, since my stereo at home is the same one I got for my 18th birthday, and doesn't get the greatest reception. One of my goals for the somewhat near-future is to illustrate a children's book - though really I'm thinking a little older...maybe a chapter book would be a good place to start. I have a wonderful agent who gets me work, and also helps me license out my art to manufacturers of any and everything... paper goods, apparel, fabric, etc. I am so happy Smells Like Crayons is on the web, and to be in such a wonderful group with such inspirational women.