By: paula,
on 10/8/2009
Below is my illustration for our IFK fall postcard. I have also included some earlier color versions and rough sketches and ideas working up to the final piece. I obviously decided to use a bear as the main character early on in the process. I changed the color background to blue to add more contrast when there seemed to be a lot of yellows and oranges on the other IFKer's images.
My blog & website
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By: Jannie Ho,
on 9/9/2009
I ended up going with another idea for my moving postcard. This is what I came up with (and printed). But after a few days of thinking about my previous idea though, I want to give the "moving monster" another shot. I received some great feedback to make it better. But since I really should be getting a promo out, this will be mailed out.
Alot of promotion and marketing plans are floating in my mind lately. Personal projects are brewing too. Perhaps my muse did move with me to Ann Arbor...she was just on another flight! :-)
By: Jannie Ho,
on 4/6/2009
This is my piece for our spring mailer at Illustration for Kids. I had a meeting with an art director once who told me that the problem with alot of vector illustrations isn't because its digital, but because it is usually very flat in terms of perspective. This is my attempt to take on that challenge and shake things up a bit.
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By: Jennifer DeDonato,
on 3/13/2009
Postcard-paper, dye ink, pen, stamp (it's the real thing)
By: Chogrin,
on 3/10/2009
Inspired by Peter Wonsowski's Winton Green cone, here's my cone for Brian Butler's Ice Cream People project, King Cholado of Chalamello land! See more of these at the link below!
By: Ginger Nielson,
on 2/14/2009
Yes, it is time for the spring mailers. This is one I am thinking of sending. I like the way the colors are so brilliant in RGB, but am always a bit saddened by the conversion to CMYK for printing. I try to use colors these days that convert more easily but every once in a while I want a color that doesn't quite have the ZING I want.
Grain Magazine (SK) invites entries for their 1st Annual Short Grain (with Variations) Contest. Categories: Poetry (100 lines max.) and Fiction (2500 words max.) First prize: $1250 in each category. Entry fee: $30 for two entries in one category (includes subscription). Deadline: April 1, 2009. More details...
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By: Eugenia Gina,
on 12/27/2008
By: Jannie Ho,
on 11/23/2008
Bonjour! I'm back from my trip to France and had a great time! We visited Strasbourg, which was about a two and a half hour train ride from Paris. My deary was a on a business trip there, so what a great excuse for me to tag along :-)
I LOVE the French illustration style and aesthetic. In particular I was looking for this book by one of my favorite illustrators Marc Boutavant:
I've been wanting this book for so long now! Its very hard to get it in the US (it is on ebay, but very $$$). What a beautiful book!!! Then in another store I found stickers by Marc Boutavant too:
And the cutest little notebook and Christmas Alphabet postcard by Illustrator Marion Billet:
I love "Fake ads" -Postcards by illustrator Amandine Piu:
And of course how can I resist this one (also by illustrator Amandine Piu):
Our high school French got us around ok but I must admit it was mentally draining afterwards. Having a language barrier is a handicap and there were a few awkward situations. Then I thought about all the non-English speaking people who are brave enough to come to the US to make a life for themselves (including my parents.). Props to them most definitely!
Anyways, I already miss the cafes and pain au chocolats. Strasbourg is a very quaint city to visit. Too bad I didn't get to see much of Paris, only the airport and the few blocks around the train station. Next time!
By: Christina Ann Rodriguez,
on 11/12/2008
I decided to use my latest paintings for my new postcard. I was having trouble fitting the spider illustration on the back so that I would have room for the address labels, a stamp, and the post office bar codes, so I decided to do what I wanted anyway and then just have to use an envelope.
By: Anette Heiberg,
on 11/10/2008
Here's my illustration for our promo postcard this fall. I love the beautiful colors of fall! This is painted with acrylic paints.
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By: Gina Perry,
on 10/13/2008
Currently, promotional postcards are my biggest marketing tool. The above was my third card last year since I started sending them, but the first to get me book and magazine illustration work! Even though I felt like I was taking a big risk by NOT showing kids (or even animals) it felt uniquely me in both the humor and content. The idea came to me probably 6 months earlier, and sat as a scribble on a sticky-note on my desk until I decided I just HAD to work on it. At the end of the day, you are selling your unique style and point of view - and that can be the key to getting noticed!
By: Kristi Valiant,
on 8/18/2008
I'm getting ready to do a large mailing to art directors and editors at publishing houses I'd like to work for, and I've created a few different options for the front of the 5.5" x 8.5" postcard. The back of the card shows a couple characters in multiple poses that would be interior black & white illustrations for a middle grade novel. Front 3 shows a sample middle grade cover using the same characters that I used on the back. I'll send Front 3 to those who don't work on picture books, but stictly publish chapter books/middle grade/YA.
My dilemma is what to send to those who publish both picture books and middle grade. Front 1 and Front 2 show my Peter Pan illustration and an illustration that will be in Highlights in the December issue. The Highlights illustration would work fine for picture book editors, and the back of the card shows middle grade illustrations, so both picture books and middle grade would be covered in one card. The other option is to send Front 3 to everyone who works on middle regardless of whether or not they do picture books too and just target middle grade right now. What do you think? Show both picture book and middle grade samples on one card or just focus on middle grade for this mailer?
By: Kristi Valiant,
on 4/14/2008
This is the front and back of a 5"x7" postcard that I sent to publishers a few days ago. I attached a label with the publisher's address in the middle of the blue tablecloth. I usually have Vistaprint print my postcards, but they don't do the 5"x7" size, so I had this one printed at www.printplace.com.
Kristi Valiant
http://kristivaliant.blogspot.com
www.kristivaliant.com
By: choper nawers,
on 4/1/2008
Grain Magazine invites entries for their 20th annual Short Grain Contest. Categories: Dramatic Monologue (500 words max.), Postcard Story (500 words max.), Prose Poem (500 words max.), and Long Grain of Truth (non-fiction, 5000 words max.). Three $500 prizes awarded in each category. Entry fee: $30 for two entries in any one or two categories (includes subscription). Deadline: February 28, 2008. More details...
Add a CommentThe Writers' Union of Canada invites entries for the 2008 Postcard Story Competition for the best Canadian story of 250 words in the English language. Prize: $500 and publication in postcard format. Use humour, poetry, dialogue, anything. Max. 250 words. Entry fee: $5 per story. Deadline: February 14, 2008. More details...
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By: Eugenia Gina,
on 10/26/2007
IF - Trick or treat
By: Glen Mullaly,
on 10/24/2007
Yep, long past time actually! Glad to be back fellow SFG'ers.
I couple of months ago I posted a cropped preview of this building inspection postcard I did for a local government body, so I thought I better post the whole thing. Below you'll find a variation on the same theme for a second mailer. I tried to keep to a limited, primary colour palette for these. Enjoy!
By: Ginger Nielson,
on 8/22/2007
Postcards, those that illustrators send out every 3 or 4 months really do work! I have been creating them and wondering if any ever made it to an art director's bulletin board or file cabinet. I would prefer the bulletin board of course, because you can really see 'though' a file cabinet to find our labors of love.
A little card I created over a year ago just brought me some work. I know this because the art director asked for the same style and wanted the dog added in to the piece.
So, do your best, send your cards, and keep sending them.
By: Glen Mullaly,
on 7/22/2007
With deadlines and family commitments it's been a few weeks since my last post, so how better to start in again than with only 1/3 third of an unfinished illustration! This is a portion of one of a couple of postcards I'm working on for a local area government to send out to remind folks when building inspections are needed as part of construction or renovations. Not the most exciting subject matter in the world, and they didn't want to go too wild with it. So I went with gentle humour and a real retro look.
Hope you like it ( at least 33.3%, that is ).
By: Jannie Ho,
on 6/20/2007
I am about due to send out another promotional postcard. Here is a new piece of art I just finished for it. What do you think? I am trying to keep up a regular schedule with sending stuff to keep my name out there...my goal is to at least send something out three times a year.
Speaking of promotion, I wanted to mention a few blogs that I've been checking out thats helpful:
The Marketing Mix- I've been enjoying the small bites of info and tips there....very easy read and not overwhelming. I've picked up some great ideas there.
Living the Creative Dream- a great inspirational site with everything from creativity to promotion by the super-talented Holli.
By: irisz,
on 6/7/2007
Brand-new postcard series of mine is available at here!
By: irisz,
on 5/30/2007
By: irisz,
on 5/15/2007
Oh I love this too. Looking forward to seeing how you rework the monster mover.
I love both designs, but the monster is still my favorite!
This is super cool! I love it and can't wait to see more of your awesome ideas realized!*
*I'm sure your muse moved with you to Ann Arbor, she wouldn't dare leaving you!!!
Very clever idea! I like them both, but I think this one has a more dynamic composition. I really like the monster idea too!
Jannie, I'm so glad to hear that your muse didn't get lost like common luggage LOL :) Your work is as adorable as ever. I really do like your li'l monster guy! Talk with you later, girl...hope you're enjoying your new home!
Hi,
I think they are all really good, so whichever you go with will be great. I think sometimes when you are too close to a bit of work, you see flaws that noone else can see. They are all FAB!
Hope you are settling in well. LOVE the postcard. Enjoy all the inspiration coming your way. =o))
After she found her luggage and caught a taxi to the new address your muse started working double time! These are too cute!
LOVE the postcard, Jannie. You are a whiz at fun animals!
I like it! The little owl on the back is the best.