Ready to Elevate Your Illustrations?
Let’s talk about next steps (Illoguild question #26)
Hey there,
After the amazing feedback we received on our post, “How to Level Up Your Illustrations,” we’re eager to dive even deeper into the conversation. This time, we're not just talking about enhancing your artwork—we're exploring how to take your entire illustration career to the next level. We've gathered our top tips and insights to help you grow, and we're excited to share them with you. Check out the newsletter links below to learn more! But first here are some of our top tips:
‘Failed attempts are not impediments to the process, they are the process’- Adam Ming
‘I levelled up massively when I joined a critique group, so my advice would be to connect with some like-minded creatives and organise an online space (discord and zoom) where you can meet and share progress.’ - Rose Lihou
‘Everyone’s path to success is wildly different. The idea of what success is, happens to be a very personalized measurement. Unique to you’. - Brenda Harris
The illoguild live session is on 19 August ‘ILLOGUILD Talks Levelling up Our Craft. 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 Inspiration’. You can catch the replay here. We talked about what inspires us and some things we love.
This month we shine a spotlight on the talented Damjana Loddelina. She is based in France and is a children's book author illustrator. She loves to combine lush colours and smudgy textures with sharp lines and fun details.
And lastly, Congrats to Jen Gubicza who is now represented by Kait Feldman and to Adam Ming who’s new book ‘Once Upon a Big Bad Wolf’ is out now. And also to Noreen Anne for her new book “Cecelia Says No’ (Written and Illustrated by Noreen Anne). 🎉
Don’t forget to read all the way to the ‘Announcements’ to find out more.
Let’s level-up together:
Carla shares how playing Mario Odyssey with her kids helped her level up her career—and it turns out, the steps aren't linear. There's plenty of time to have fun, explore, and gain new experiences along the way.
Jen compares her Dungeons and Dragons experience to the world of picture books. And don’t forget to check out her awesome picture book recommendations.
Adam Ming writes about doing “ugly work” - Levelling up is also about all those drafts next to the wastepaper basket. Those failed attempts are not impediments to the process, they are the process.
Katie Stack discusses her steps to leveling up and making art that is appealing to her.
Brenda Harris contrasts levelling up with the way children develop.
Noreen shares the importance of taking breaks in levelling up.
And a special addition this month…
Noreen Anne shares her process for her new book ‘Cecelia Says No’ which will be released imminently. It’s the first book written and illustrated by her and takes a look at ‘When friendship and boundaries collide’.
Announcements
The illoguild live session is on 19 August ‘ILLOGUILD Talks Levelling up Our Craft. Join us for the live chat (register here). If you miss it, you can catch the replays here.
Jen Gubicza is now represented by Kait Feldmann. We can’t wait to see what the brilliant creations that this new partnership generates! GO Jen!
CONGRATS to Noreen Anne for her new book “Cecelia Says No’ (Written and Illustrated by Noreen Anne). Well done on this great achievement!!!!
Quiet and creative, six year old Cecelia loves to draw beautiful pictures for her Mommy who is deployed overseas. When a classmate continues to ask for more of her drawings, Cecelia worries she won’t have anything left for Mommy.
Once Upon a Big Bad Wolf (Illustrated by Adam Ming and Written by Leigh Hodgkinson) is out now!!! HUGE Congratulations on this amazing take on fairy tails.
You know the story … now let’s change it!
Have you ever wondered why the Mean Old Witch is mean? Or why the Big Bad Wolf is bad?
They weren’t always that way… The Big Bad Wolf used to be small and sweet. But when a witch was mean to him, everything changed …
The Mean Old Witch used to be young and kind, singing to the birds and picking up litter, until an unfortunate encounter with a Horrible Stinky Troll …
Discover how unkind words and actions can have consequences – and how a simple apology has the magical power to transform everything!
CONGRATULATIONS to Brenda Harris who’s book ‘Moose on a Mission’ the 3rd book in Operation Aviation Series is NOW Available for Pre Order!
Illoguild Illustrator Spotlight
Q and A with Damjana Lodellina
What inspires you?
I've always been fascinated by colours and textures that I observe in nature and the world around me. On daily walks with my dog I'm constantly snapping pictures of anything that catches my eye; unusual wild flowers that I might incorporate in my next garden illustration, rusty farmhouse window shutters that have an interesting shape I want to draw or lichen on a tree bark that suggest a new colour palette I'd like to try.
My picture book writing is also inspired by these walks, I get a chance to inconspicuously observe people interact with each other at the market place or in shops, dogs in the park meeting other dogs and children playing uninterrupted.
What are you working on?
I'm developing a few picture book ideas, one of them came from an illustration I made for this year's Bologna fair postcard - little girl reading a book. The idea of her getting lost in the story she's reading made me think of all the other fun places her imagination could be taking her and all the animals she would meet there. I think it could be a book with few words - or even wordless.
What's your dream project?
Developing a series of picture books, fun and heartwarming stories with quirky animal characters, books that come with toys, play sets, board games, something children would love to read over and over again, play along and invent their own stories.
You can see more of her work on Instagram and her Website.
Illoguild Sketches this Month!
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What question should we answer next?
Anything on your mind?
And we are really happy that you have supported us along the way!!! We hope it has been useful and inspiring for you. If you would like to help others be inspired- why not share this post.
Links to Illoguild Member Newsletters
Adam Ming: ‘Ten Minute Artist’
Brenda Harris: ‘On The Creative Road’
Carla Hoffenberg: ‘Carla’s Crowd’
Chantelle Holt: ‘Chantelle’s Studio’
Damjana Lodellina: ‘Lemon Tart Bandit’
Jen Gubicza: ‘Rymes with Pizza’
Jennifer Jamieson: ‘Jennifer’s Newsletter’
Katie Stack: ‘Katie’s Newsletter’
Kavita Rajput: ‘Kavita’s Corner’
Noreen Anne: ‘Creative Canvas by Noreen Anne’
Rose Lihou: ‘Studio Tea with Rose Lihou’
Tammy Angelis: ‘Tabbykat Chats’
Thank you for these insights on levelling up, and for the links to others' newsletters. It's good to read how others have developed their work as I also experiment to develop my own.