Keep On Drawing

1. Send your art to the attention of the art director at the publishing company. Include you name and address on each sample and slide.
2. If you have more than one style, show it. This will demonstrate your range.
3. Know your target publishers and make sure they know that you have done your homework. They will recognize that you are familiar with their publication and be more likely to review your art.
4. Attach a personal letter to your portfolio and make sure it is addressed to the art director – not a generic greeting. You can call the receptionist at the publishing house to get the director’s name.
5. Consider joining the SOCIETY FOR CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITER AND ILLUSTRATORS, telephone (323) 782-1010. They have local chapters and offer networking opportunities and workshops.
6. Never send original artwork, it can get lost or damaged.

Hey Chris, I want to be an artist. Any advice for an art student?

• Many  students have approached me and asked if there are many career opportunities in the art industry, and I always reply – of course! There are many, many ways to work in the industry! You can be an animator, museum curator, gallery manager, art conservator, sculptor, typographer, graphic designer, potter, jeweler, printmaker, fashion designer, cartoonist, creative director, educator, photographer, makeup artist, cartoonist or even an illustrator like me.
• Selecting a career can be overwhelming. Take advantage of your school’s career placement office and speak with your counselors. They are trained to help guide you toward your goals. Another good way to pursue a career in art is to enroll in a weekend or summer programs at museums and colleges. There are classes and workshops for all grade levels. Just remember, you’ll never know if you like something until you try it, and you can always change your mind.
• Scholarships are available and awarded to talented students. So, keep your grades up in your other classes, because scholarships can greatly reduce the cost of college.
• Keep a sketchbook handy and carry it wherever you go.
• Visit museums and study the styles of artists you admire. My personal favorites are Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish and Vermeer. A good way to learn about composition is to practice design and photography. Study the movement of people and animals – no two are alike! To liven up your pencil sketches, try incorporating pastel and charcoal in your observational drawings.
• And it’s most important to start a portfolio of your work and keep adding to it.
• For art students, I always recommend dual majors. I choose a teaching degree as a fallback in case my art career did not work out. A business major is another good one as well. Understanding business may be able to help you market and sell your art.

And remember, always keep on drawing!