Thursday, December 13, 2012

A Quiet Look - How to be a children's book illustrator in one (not so easy) step

Mike did a video about my sketchbooks, here is a rough cut. Any suggestions would be appreciated!



A Quiet Look - How to become a children's book illustrator in one (not so easy) step

from mike kerr on Vimeo.

19 comments:

Miha Hančič said...

really nice video!
the only thing that would make it better... if it would be hours long and would give us a peak in all the sketchbooks :) hihi
i love your soft pencil drawings

Anonymous said...

great video! thank you for sharing this story and take a look in all those magical sketchbooks! I love your work :-)

anitamm said...

Renata super, dajesz kobieto radę!!!
Mój genialny profesor Jacek Sienicki mówił, że każdy powinien znaleźć w życiu swój kąt i w nim siedzieć. Ty masz swój własny kącik, odnalazłaś się:) Tylko czemu choćby czubka twojego nosa na filmie nie widać?
Pozdrawiam ciepło,
am

Veronica Kosowski said...

Thank you Renata and Mike for this super informative video! I loved looking at all the sketchbooks, and it was really helpful to hear your advice and experiences with getting into the children's illustration market.

I would love to see more short videos on illustration from you two!

Miles JW Books said...

There is nothing I love more than looking at artist's sketchbooks and hearing about how they broke into publishing! Thank you for the video! Renata's sketches are especially lovely. Does she spray fix her in-sketchbook pencil drawings?

Carin Bramsen said...

Oh my, thank you for this! What a treat to get a glimpse into your sketchbooks. I can't say enough good things about your work. It looks like the rich tonal range and strong shapes were there from the beginning. Every time I see your characters in their world, I almost feel like I'm in there with them. :)

Renata said...

Thanks everyone, we are glad the video worked out. We were worried it might be too long or wordy. Mike plans to add some video of me drawing and such when we get a chance.

Hi Miles, I don't use spray fixative but don't have too much trouble with the lead smudging - maybe because the paper is thick or I draw with hard pencils. When I did Nikolai the only bear I drew on both sides of the page which was a big mistake! It is hard to see in the video but I have the pages covered with plastic sleeves.

Anita shared a nice thought. Sorry about the weak translation, but it translates something like: Her professor said that everyone needs to find their own corner and live in it.

Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli said...

This is a great video! Well done, Mike!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely and inspiring video! (and what a nice husband to make it!)

Your work is wonderful!

Eugenia Gina said...

incredible! Thanks for sharing renata, You really inspired me to keep on practicing my drawing.. :)

itsy buzy spider said...

I am astonished at the sheer number of sketch books that you have filled with your drawings! I thought you were just born to be an illustrator. I didn't know how much effort that you had put into become one. Thank you for sharing the video with us all. I can't wait to see the next video.

Camille and Harvey said...

OH WOW! Renata - were you ever at the Alberta College of Art and Design? I attended 91-95 with a young polish woman named Renata.... Regardless: the work is BEAUTIFUL -- it was amazing to see the progression of your style, the millions of hours of dedication and the take home message is exact! (Just draw!). Lovely, lovely, lovely work. I am happily collecting your books for my daughter's library :)

Renata said...

I was at at ACAD but a year behind you. Thank you for making a place for my books in your collection!

Junko Miyakoshi said...

Thank you for sharing this video!!
It's really inspiring and I've watched a couple times already :)
Would love to see how you work next time!
Do you only use mechanical pencils?
Really love your delicate pencil work :)

Best,
Junko

Leicia said...

Maravilla!!!

adf said...

Brilliant. Thanks for the insight - inspiring as always.

Serena Fenton said...
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Serena Fenton said...
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Serena Fenton said...

What a fabulous video. Thank you!

The book of your sketches that was made for self-promotion. Do you sell that? Is it available somewhere? I could lose myself for yours in your charming sketches!