“Every artist was first an amateur.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Welcome Aboard!
I’m glad you’re here! My illustrating group has assigned homework! The question this month is, “How do you do X?” Each Illoguild member will interpret and share their unique viewpoint in their newsletter. I chose to tackle the compelling question that all of us have faced, “How do you do—something you have never done before for the first time?”
I have never been an illustrator.
I authored a few children’s book and definitely was interested in the artwork. All l could draw were rudimentary stick figures but I was determined to get better. Writing and illustrating children’s books has since become a cherished dream of mine. The advantages of doing both are many: the ability to craft a story and visually convey it on the page can often replace repetitive text. This harmonious fusion of words and pictures can create messages that one medium alone cannot—making the storytelling experience more engaging and memorable. Additionally, as an author/illustrator, you have the autonomy to share the aesthetic vision of your work. While crafting children’s books is teamwork involving an editor, art director, publisher and more specialists, the work is creative and inspiring.
But, the fear factor sets in, “I’ve never done this before. I’m no good. Where do I begin? What if I fail? What are the costs? And the negative voices continue. While it’s exciting and encouraged to try new new things, there’s a few things to keep in mind.
1.) Address the unknown and your fears - It’s normal to feel uncertain venturing into un-chartered territory. Everyone starts as a beginner and makes mistakes. I’ve made many mistakes in my illustrations: wrong proportions, improper perspective, not a balanced or compelling composition, using too many colors. . . . A good critique group will point some of these things out in a professional manner and will provide an opportunity to improve. Salvador Dali once said, “Have no fear of perfection. You’ll never reach it.”
2.) Struggles with Self-Doubt - I don’t think this ever goes away completely but it can be managed. I try to remember that learning is a lifelong process. Being kind and reminding yourself of your strengths—keeping your mind focused on your goals, not on what you don’t want helps.
3.) Setting realistic expectations - is critical. Many of the artists and illustrators in my group are producing amazing illustrated books. While they have been kind with sharing their process and special techniques, it’s still intimidating. I need to remind myself to break things down into one step at a time. It’s important to celebrate the little wins.
4.) Social Support - Finding your people when you are starting something new for the first time can feel less daunting when you have a support system in place. Friends, family, community, class members, colleagues who share your like-mindedness can provide a sense of community. Sharing your progress and experiences can reduce feelings of isolation, anxiety or build self confidence.
5.) Intrinsic Motivation - Connecting with your inner joy and understanding why you’re passionate about something is important. The path to illustrating has transformed into a captivating journey for me. There have been techniques to learn and hurdles along the way but the joy in discovering progress albeit gradual, has made every step worthwhile. The people I’ve met and the fellow creatives I’ve encountered along the way has been invaluable. The joy of creating something unique, beautiful and individualistic has been fulfilling.
Embracing the journey with an open mind, a willingness to learn and taking time to celebrate the little victories goes a long way. Thank you dear reader for embarking on this journey with me. As you continue to explore new horizons in your life, may you find abundant blessings, inner peace and boundless joy.
Please consider joining us for our Illoguild Podcast on Monday, November 6.
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” Vincent Van Gogh
With warm wishes,
Noreen Anne