Our Best Tips and Tricks
Let’s level up together (Illoguild question #28)
Hey there,
Over the years, we’ve learned that even small tweaks can lead to big improvements, whether it’s refining our techniques, exploring new styles, or discovering fresh inspiration. So this month, so this month we are answering “what have you learned to level up our illustrations?”. We’ll share tips and tricks that have helped us grow as illustrators and challenge ourselves to push our art to the next level.
Here’s some tips from our contributors:
Choose a colour palette that supports the mood of your illustration. -Carla Hoffenberg
One way to avoid overworking my digital illustrations is to use less layers, work faster and not give myself too much opportunity to go back and change every single detail. - Damjana Loddelina
I learned that batching illustration steps is fun. It leads to greater flow and variety within a particular part of the process. - Adam Ming
The illoguild live session is on October 21 ‘ILLOGUILD Talks: Lessons Learned in Illustration’. Join us for the Live Zoom (register here) or you can sign- up to the illoguild newsletter to watch the replay.
You’re invited to the LIVE ZOOM (It’s free) - Replays available for Paid Subscribers.
We also had a Illoguild Live last month -‘ILLOGUILD Talks: The Art of Connecting on Socials’. You can catch the replay here.
This month we shine a spotlight on the talented Jennifer Jamieson. She is UK-based illustrator known for her vibrant and whimsical artwork that often features playful characters and imaginative scenes. With a background in graphic design, she brings a strong sense of composition and color to her illustrations, making her work both visually striking and full of personality.
And lastly, Congrats to Adam Ming whose book (written by Adam Rutherford) ‘Where Are You Really From?’ won the Children’s Book of the Year: STEM award in the ‘The Week Junior Book Awards’ and Damjana Loddelina who is now proudly represented by Erzsi Deàk of Hen and Ink Literary Studio. And Congrats to Katie Stack who got married last month. 🎉
Don’t forget to read all the way to the ‘Announcements’ to find out more.
Here are our top tips and tricks:
Katie talks about being intentional and setting goals.
Jen dishes about her Art Quest project, avoiding burnout and “the 10 minutes a day thing” that’s working for her.
Carla shares 10 simple tricks that you can apply right away.
Adam shares 20 things he learned in the past 5 months.
Damjana shows us how she keeps the simpler, looser style of her pencil and pastel sketches in procreate.
Noreen gives us tips to staying focussed.
Announcements
The illoguild live session is on 21 October - ‘ILLOGUILD Talks: Lessons Learned in Illustration’. Join us for the FREE live chat (register here). If you miss it, you can catch the replays here.
Last month during the live ‘ILLOGUILD Talks The Art of Connecting on Socials’ . You can catch the replays here.
Congratulations to Adam Ming whose book (written by Adam Rutherford) ‘Where Are You Really From?’ won the Children’s Book of the Year: STEM award in the ‘The Week Junior Book Awards’.🎊
And Congrats to Damjana Loddelina who is now proudly represented by Erzsi Deàk of Hen and Ink Literary Studio. 🎊
And HUGE CONGRATS to Katie Stack who got married this month in Italy. We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness!!! ❤️
Illoguild Illustrator Spotlight
Q and A with Jennifer Jamieson
What are you working on?
I am currently working on some full colour chapter books for young readers. They are based on the Famous Five - a well-loved book series by Enid Blyton that follows 4 kids and a dog as they embark on all sorts of adventures. It's been a absolute joy to be able to draw these characters, who I loved to read about as a child.
What’s your dream project?
My dream project would be to write an illustrate my own chapter book. I have a manuscript currently being considered for acquisition. I had never intended to write but I always found it easier to draw unique characters if I created a world and a narrative around them. Sometimes this sparks ideas that lead to a bigger story and it's been a great experience working with editors and my agents to turn these ideas into full manuscripts.
What are your Career Highlights?
I have so many careers highlights. Seeing a book I illustrated in a book shop for the first time, when a friend's kid participated in an online draw along and they showed me their version of my chicken character. And of course, going to Bologna to see fellow authors and illustrators as well as meeting designers and editors I have worked with. I always come back so full of motivation and ideas, it's the perfect way to refill your cup if you're feeling a little lonely or disconnected from the industry.
You can see more of her work on Instagram and her Website.
This Months Illustrations
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Links to Illoguild Member Newsletters and Socials
Adam Ming: ‘Ten Minute Artist’ and Adam’s Instagram
Brenda Harris: ‘On The Creative Road’ and Brenda’s Instagram
Carla Hoffenberg: ‘Carla’s Crowd’ and Carla’s Instagram
Chantelle Holt: ‘Chantelle’s Studio’ and Chantelle’s Instagram
Damjana Loddelina: ‘Lemon Tart Bandit’ and Damjana’s Instagram
Jen Gubicza: ‘Rymes with Pizza’ and Jen’s Instagram
Jennifer Jamieson: ‘Jennifer’s Newsletter’ and Jen’s Instagram
Katie Stack: ‘Katie’s Newsletter’ and Katie’s Instagram
Kavita Rajput: ‘Kavita’s Corner’ and Kavita’s Instagram
Noreen Anne: ‘Creative Canvas by Noreen Anne’ and Noreen’s Instagram
Rose Lihou: ‘Studio Tea with Rose Lihou’ and Rose’s Instagram
Tammy Angelis: ‘Tabbykat Chats’ and Tammy’s Instagram
Looking forward to it!