Great post! (And now you have something to hand out--turn into slides--etc. for illustrator conferences!) The part about focusing on the art that has your heart in it really spoke to me. When I was the art director at CRICKET, I did a portfolio review day at an SCBWI event. Looking at one portfolio, I knew there were some successful , fun pieces coming up (I'd seen the person showing their portfolio to other artists in the lobby), so I was more critical of some of the pieces in the portfolio at the start, but I could tell the artist was getting defensive. I turned to a piece that showed a number of kids of different racial backgrounds, and I said, "this is a great piece if you are looking for educational work." They literally gritted their teeth and said, "I hate drawing like that," and I asked, "Then why is this still in your portfolio?" Speaking of lost opportunities--I felt bad about how the review had gone and I wrote this person an encouraging note (and even apologized) . . . they never responded or followed up! On the topic of putting in more--while this one is AMAZING, please don't feel that this needs to be a norm. Your "short and sweet" posts are equally as enjoyable. Please feel free to balance these deeper-dive, insightful posts with quick "and-so-this-happened/day in an illustrator's life" pieces--or posts about sketches and illustration/design solutions that don't require a lot of additional drawing.
I took a bite out of this newsletter and it turns out it's filled with 100% gold! I love how you break down conversation options. I was taught (by who, I can’t remember) that when someone compliments you, saying simply “Thank you” is a surefire way to end a conversation. That advice has served me well. I love seeing the illustrated explanation. And, I wish all art students could be handed a copy of this comic when they enter art school.
Love this! Been reading a lot of depressing stuff about creative industries lately, and this was a much-needed mood boost. In the end, so much really does boil down to putting yourself out there & being ready for opportunities! Thank you!
Oh hey it's me again, here to GUSH ABOUT ANOTHER FANTASTIC NEWSLETTER FROM LIAN!! How are you so good at this? SO much fun to read and chock-full of great advice. <33
Hii! Thank you very much for your advice. From some months I have been wondering how to be “found” and you show us the key. I really, really have “bad luck” in competitions and awards, I never fit in any publishing house or agency, but I'll keep trying until I can count books too.
I totally get you! I’m also not great at competitions/awards but know that there are other ways to get your stuff out there! Wishing you all the best in your endeavors!!
Yes! So I submitted my website to Women Who Draw back in 2018. I’m not sure if the website is still running tbh, the last time i checked it was quite glitchy so I’m not sure if art directors still refer to that site anymore!
Excellent post! I wish decades ago when I was about to graduate college as an illustrator that I had one or two professors who would have told me and the rest of my pals what you posted. This is what every Illustrator needs to hear no matter what the genre they choose.
This is such an awesome post! I absolutely LOVED reading it, and would have even if I weren't interested in being a writer/illustrator. I can tell you had fun doing it and didn't mind it took longer than you expected wanted. And it literally made my day,
Great post! (And now you have something to hand out--turn into slides--etc. for illustrator conferences!) The part about focusing on the art that has your heart in it really spoke to me. When I was the art director at CRICKET, I did a portfolio review day at an SCBWI event. Looking at one portfolio, I knew there were some successful , fun pieces coming up (I'd seen the person showing their portfolio to other artists in the lobby), so I was more critical of some of the pieces in the portfolio at the start, but I could tell the artist was getting defensive. I turned to a piece that showed a number of kids of different racial backgrounds, and I said, "this is a great piece if you are looking for educational work." They literally gritted their teeth and said, "I hate drawing like that," and I asked, "Then why is this still in your portfolio?" Speaking of lost opportunities--I felt bad about how the review had gone and I wrote this person an encouraging note (and even apologized) . . . they never responded or followed up! On the topic of putting in more--while this one is AMAZING, please don't feel that this needs to be a norm. Your "short and sweet" posts are equally as enjoyable. Please feel free to balance these deeper-dive, insightful posts with quick "and-so-this-happened/day in an illustrator's life" pieces--or posts about sketches and illustration/design solutions that don't require a lot of additional drawing.
Thanks so much Ron! I'll definitely remind myself more often that I can just do short and sweet posts!
I took a bite out of this newsletter and it turns out it's filled with 100% gold! I love how you break down conversation options. I was taught (by who, I can’t remember) that when someone compliments you, saying simply “Thank you” is a surefire way to end a conversation. That advice has served me well. I love seeing the illustrated explanation. And, I wish all art students could be handed a copy of this comic when they enter art school.
That's such a great point! I never thought about "thank you" as a way to end a conversation. Now I know! Thanks for sharing that Jen :)
Love this! Been reading a lot of depressing stuff about creative industries lately, and this was a much-needed mood boost. In the end, so much really does boil down to putting yourself out there & being ready for opportunities! Thank you!
I feel you on this! I'm happy to hear that this was a positive read amongst all the depressive stuff out there :)
Lian this is so helpful for folx starting out in freelance - in any field, really. Thanks for making the effort to lift up others w your experience ❤️
Wow thanks so much Wendy! This means so much coming from you, I’m such a huge fan of your work!!!
This is so so great! (and not-so-secretly applicable to other art and.. erm... life.)
Thank you!!!
Thanks Jen!
Oh hey it's me again, here to GUSH ABOUT ANOTHER FANTASTIC NEWSLETTER FROM LIAN!! How are you so good at this? SO much fun to read and chock-full of great advice. <33
KATIE!!! love you so much!!
Hii! Thank you very much for your advice. From some months I have been wondering how to be “found” and you show us the key. I really, really have “bad luck” in competitions and awards, I never fit in any publishing house or agency, but I'll keep trying until I can count books too.
I totally get you! I’m also not great at competitions/awards but know that there are other ways to get your stuff out there! Wishing you all the best in your endeavors!!
The accuracy of "an editorial piece that copies the style of Victo Ngai and is about euthanasia" made me absolutely scream
"those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it" WE MUST REMEMBER OUR MISTAKES!! haha
This is great!! Thank you for going so in-depth. Would you mind sharing what illustration website you referred to getting that initial project on?
Yes! So I submitted my website to Women Who Draw back in 2018. I’m not sure if the website is still running tbh, the last time i checked it was quite glitchy so I’m not sure if art directors still refer to that site anymore!
Excellent post! I wish decades ago when I was about to graduate college as an illustrator that I had one or two professors who would have told me and the rest of my pals what you posted. This is what every Illustrator needs to hear no matter what the genre they choose.
This post is just me putting myself out there for any teaching gigs!! I want so dearly to become a professor haha! Thank you for your kind words :)
oof, this was real good, thank you. dude's speech is uplifting af
I know right!! I was obsessed with his speech back when I was in high school!
This is such an awesome post! I absolutely LOVED reading it, and would have even if I weren't interested in being a writer/illustrator. I can tell you had fun doing it and didn't mind it took longer than you expected wanted. And it literally made my day,
Thanks so much Virginia! So happy to hear that it made your day :)
Damn Lian!! You really crushed it with this post. Thank you for sharing your lessons generously!
AW thanks carolyn!!! Much appreciated!!!
Holy crap Lian, this is genius! You are a freaking rockstar
THANKS RACHEL!!
Omg i fall back on the neil gaiman two out of three things all the time (stares at overdue project on desk)
HAHA gracey!!! your work IS fantastic and you're just a joy to be around so it's okayyyyy....
Wow, thank you! I savored every single panel. Gotta go change my t-shirt STAT!
Hah! Thanks so much Beth!!