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1/ Some of my followers know I'm an editor.
What you may not know is that I'm also an art director for some publishers (and sometimes for folks who self-publish).
Here are some of the most common errors I see in #kidlitart submissions, a [THREAD].
#kidlit #illustration
What you may not know is that I'm also an art director for some publishers (and sometimes for folks who self-publish).
Here are some of the most common errors I see in #kidlitart submissions, a [THREAD].
#kidlit #illustration
2/ Too much time spent on very detailed and nice sketches. That's not the best way to spend time in the early stages when matters of basic design are still in play.
Submit thumbnail sketches first, then rough sketches. An art director will look for basic design issues.
Submit thumbnail sketches first, then rough sketches. An art director will look for basic design issues.
3/ No illustrator should submit images without page edges/crop marks--from the thumbnail sketches to the rough sketches and throughout the illustration process.
These should be clearly visible, so I know you're allowing for the bleed and page trimming.
These should be clearly visible, so I know you're allowing for the bleed and page trimming.
4/ Text placement. Find out what font and size the publisher is likely to use (it may change but get a rough idea) and design your image accordingly. Leave space for the text.
Don't place the text area too close to the edge or the gutter (where the pages join in the middle).
Don't place the text area too close to the edge or the gutter (where the pages join in the middle).
5/ Tangents! Please, please, please pay attention to these. (Art directors can tell at a glance how much experience you have by how many tangents we see.)
This article explains what tangents are: http://curiousoldlibrary.blogspot.com/2011/10/schweizer-guide-to-spotting-tangents.html
This article explains what tangents are: http://curiousoldlibrary.blogspot.com/2011/10/schweizer-guide-to-spotting-tangents.html
6/ Here's another good article on tangents. https://emptyeasel.com/2008/11/18/avoiding-tangents-9-visual-blunders-every-artist-should-watch-out-for/
7/ Character continuity.
E.g., I just worked on a book this morning where the number of digits on the animal protagonist's paws kept changing. The position of its ring changed from paw to paw.
Check that your characters are consistent.
E.g., I just worked on a book this morning where the number of digits on the animal protagonist's paws kept changing. The position of its ring changed from paw to paw.
Check that your characters are consistent.
8/ Keep important elements, details, & especially characters out of the gutter (where the pages join). Especially characters' faces.
As well as page edges/crop marks, indicate where the gutter is on your sketches. (Yes, an art director knows, but I want to know that YOU know.)
As well as page edges/crop marks, indicate where the gutter is on your sketches. (Yes, an art director knows, but I want to know that YOU know.)
9/ Ok, I'm sure I'll think of more later, but for now, these very basic items (all of which I've seen this morning) are the minimum you need to be looking for.
I hope this helps #kidlitart #illustration folks!
#kidlit
I hope this helps #kidlitart #illustration folks!
#kidlit
10/ Oh, here's another. In Western cultures, we read from L to R. So, if your characters are moving leftward, it has the effect of suggesting backward movement. When the action moves to the right, it suggests forward motion.
When you want to stall the action, or suggest...
When you want to stall the action, or suggest...
11/ ...a reflective pause, consider facing the protagonist leftward.
If you want to show dynamic forward motion in the (visual) narrative, consider having the protagonist and action moving toward the right.
If you want to show dynamic forward motion in the (visual) narrative, consider having the protagonist and action moving toward the right.
