On Gratitude by Diana Ting Delosh

Thank You Owlet - Ink & Watercolor Illustration, Hand Lettering
© Diana Ting Delosh

It's the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so here's a few thoughts on gratitude as an illustrator /author. I am most Thankful for Friends and Community. As someone who spends most days isolated in my studio in suburbia, I am thrilled to have found my tribe via: the CBIG, SCBWI and the LICWI. Not to mention connecting with an even bigger pool of artists/writers/creatives via Twitter.

CBIG, Children's Book Illustrators Group
After many years of trying to do it alone, I discovered CBIG through my sister, who had a friend, who was a member.  CBIG is a local NY metro area group. They invite children's book publishing professionals to their meetings, so members can grow as illustrators and of course make connections.

SCBWI, Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
SCBWI is an international group that offers oodles of info and conferences. Over the years it's given me loads of networking opportunities with industry professionals.

LICWI, Long Island Children's Writers & Illustrators
I joined LICWI because I wanted to get serious about my writing. LICWI members meet monthly and may read their writing to the group and receive feedback. I'm still getting the hang of reading to a group. Nerve wracking. But the valuable feedback is worth it.

Twitter
Because sometimes I'm working in the studio by my lonesome and it's nice to feel connected to the world at large. Remember those illustrators/writers you met at the big conference, most likely they're on Twitter or Instagram. There are many Twitter art challenges to participate in. Or if you're too busy to participate, just view. Always inspirational, sometimes even motivating.

In fact, this blog and my Art Crit Group would have never formed if it weren't for friendships via CBIG and the NJ SCBWI June Conferences. So, a really Big THANK YOU to CBIG and the NJ SCBWI.

Just in case you're wondering, yes, all this connecting and socializing, both real and virtual, does help your  discoverability and may lead to opportunities and even commissions. But that's a topic for another post.

Here's to Friends and Community and a Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

Web: dianadelosh.com

Art Blog: dtdelosh.blogspot.com

Product Blog: arthareswares.blogspot.com

Twitter: dtdelosh

For your picture book storyboarding process
Check out: 
The BIG ThumbNailer
ThumbNailer

Illustrator Promo Sheets by Diana Ting Delosh

Promo pages, Promo sheets, Tear sheets. Whatever. They're a letter sized sample sheet of your illustration. Handy as hand outs whenever you have an  in person opportunity. Park them on your website where art directors/editors/art buyers can view or download  and print. Send the PDF out in e-mails. Change them up as often as you like.

What goes on a promo sheet? Current work and your contact info. The minimum is your name and website. More than that is up to your discretion and how much room you have on your sheet. I personally prefer just my website, maybe my e-mail IF it looks good. I may put more if I'm giving it to someone specific. Artfully design it or keep it simple and clean. I create mine in INDesign or Photoshop.

Make 2 templates: Vertical and Horizontal. The better to fit your art needs

No, they don't take the place of postcards. You do plan on doing at least one postcard mailing a year, right? However, they do have a few advantages over postcards. You can change them up as needed. There's no  minimum print order. No waiting for delivery. You can print them out at home in the middle of the night. Or if you're fussy or your printer has run out of ink, take your PDF Files to your local Staples/ FedEx and print out only what you need. 

Flip through the Directory pages on CBIG
 http://cbig-nyc.com/2017/2017-illustration-directories/

I am a co-president of CBIG, the Children's Book Illustrator Group and one of my projects is the CBIG Illustrator Directories. Basically they're a collection of Promo Pages from our participating members. One of the things, I love about the project is that I get inspired by all the art and the different ways to design a promo page. Take a peek, get inspired, and create your own.

Flip through the Directory pages on CBIG
 http://cbig-nyc.com/2017/2017-illustration-directories/

Web: dianadelosh.com

Art Blog: dtdelosh.blogspot.com

Product Blog: arthareswares.blogspot.com

Twitter: dtdelosh

For your picture book storyboarding process
Check out: 
The BIG ThumbNailer
ThumbNailer