Comments for Dani Jones Illustration

Comment on Why I Share by Deepti

Deepti — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:02:16 +0000

Your post makes a lot of sense and it is something I started realizing very late in my career. I always wanted to be an illustrator. I have just started thinking about it seriously and your blog has played an important role in it.

Thanks for the post.

Comment on Why I Share by George Coghill

George Coghill — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:20:30 +0000

I totally agree with everything you’ve said here, great post.

I know I like to share also because when I was first getting started in digital art years ago (pre-internet), it was next to impossible to find information on how to achieve certain styles or decipher certain techniques.

I’m stubborn, so I stuck with it and taught myself, but I vowed to become a resource myself. Nowadays there is plenty of information at the fingertips of anyone who wants to learn, but I still share because sometimes it’s in the way a certain person explains something that makes all the difference, and I could be that person.

I also know that even though I don’t need to copy my own “style”, it’s still no easy task so I am hardly worried about showing someone how I created something. If all goes well, they will find their own style when trying to mimic what I have done.

And one doesn’t realize how much is learned oneself by sharing. Everybody benefits.

Comment on Why I Share by royce

royce — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:05:55 +0000

I am a beginner in the world of Illustration. I’ve only done 2 books for a self published author. I need the oomph you give me to keep improving. You inspire me greatly. When I’m in a slump and need a kick in the pants I go look at your work. It helps me get over that stupid thinking of I don’t have what it takes to be an illustrator. It takes drive and I loose that sometimes in a cloud of doubt.
Thanks

Royce

Comment on Why I Share by Thomas James

Thomas James — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:17:29 +0000

Hey Dani,
Thanks for your continued contributions to the Illustration community. I completely agree that when artists share, everyone benefits. We are all just people trying to make our way, and we gain so much from our fellow creators that it seems so obvious that we should give back. I’m so glad that Illustrators are generally giving by nature. It seems that those who choose to guard their “secrets” are also shielding themselves from receiving anything in return.

Keep up the great work!
Thomas

Comment on Why I Share by Lynn Alpert

Lynn Alpert — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:59:06 +0000

I totally agree with you and am forever grateful for your generosity in sharing. The art community thrives on the sharing of ideas, right? Thanks for all you do, Dani!

Comment on Why I Share by Tye

Tye — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:54:29 +0000

I have been a fan for a long time! I totally agree, we are all made better by sharing and being shared with. It helps us strive to become even better at what we do!

Glad to see you’ll be continuing to share with us!

Comment on Why I Share by Kevin Cameron

Kevin Cameron — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:09:36 +0000

I feel very similar to your post here – a good artist is good through talent and skill that’s cultivated over a long process of applied practice. Those who try to imitate or rip off can clearly be called out on it.

Which makes another good point for sharing – not only does it foster good relations with fans, clients, and such, but it also puts passion in their hearts when/if you do get ripped off! I’ve seen this firsthand with artists who have work stolen, and their friends and fans go and illuminate the situation, tell others, and essentially help an artist’s cause.

(PS – I just found you through Chris Oatley’s artcast so I’m a new fan but a fan nonetheless ^^)

Comment on How to Find an Illustrator for Your Picture Book by Dani

Dani — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:56:43 +0000

Steven – Thanks for the insightful comment. I feel I should address a few things to clarify:

Yes, a lot of famous picture books are collaborations between author and illustrator friends. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen. It is just relatively rare, especially for beginners in the industry. My advice is for people who are trying to break into the business – because it is indeed rare that both the writer and illustrator who want to collaborate have high enough caliber work, and have them both work well enough TOGETHER to get the publisher to accept the book. It may not be the rule all the time, but it is the reality of the industry.

That being said, this business is in no way set in stone. Great books are being found and published in many different ways. I myself am experimenting with collaborations and new media to find a way into publishing. I simply want to address the people who think that finding an artist is NECESSARY, or would provide some kind of advantage. It is not and does not.

This is not meant to be an end-all be-all guide, but it IS the general advice I hear around with industry professionals. But yes, I agree with you – if the work is GREAT, it will most likely find a way to get published somehow. Thanks for adding your thoughts to the discussion!

Comment on How to Find an Illustrator for Your Picture Book by Steven

Steven — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:21:59 +0000

Although you’ve got a lot of helpful, inside advice – I take issue with this statement: “Writers rarely, if at all, have any say in the process of finding an illustrator.” Dani, I’m sure you are sincerely relaying your personal experience in the industry, but given that you’re still fairly new to the industry, I would encourage you to be open to having a much more rounded view about how it works. If you look at some of the most memorable children’s books – the writers and illustrators have collaborated together. There may be a newer trend of churning children’s book publishing into an assembly line process, but it certainly doesn’t have to be that way. IMHO, both writers and illustrators should be artists first and business people second. Call me idealistic, but I have faith that good art will always open doors. Peace.

Comment on How to Make Your Portfolio iPhone-Compatible by Tom Wood

Tom Wood — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:28:03 +0000

Hi Dani,

Great info, thanks. Do you know how to set up a series of comics like a comic strip that the user can advance using the handset? I’m really interested in setting up short comic strips like Yves Bigerel shows here:

http://balak01.deviantart.com/art/ABOUt-about-DIGITAL-COMICS-112523191

He uses Flash though, so that won’t work on iPhone.

Tom