The wish fairy
Am I naughty to enjoy the delays in my publishing schedule that inevitably happen? I used to get frustrated, sometimes I still do but recently I’ve seen it as freedom from the daily routine (sometimes slog) of picture book making and the slow cogs of this industry. So I do my own work, which at the moment is slowly building an editorial illustration portfolio.
Every New Year, working in this sector is on my wish list and every year it gets buried under other ‘stuff’ but this year the ‘wish’ fairy heard it!
Out of blue I received an email from a great design agency called Pentagram in USA who had seen my work. It was the confirmation I needed and a lovely boost. The process was quick, straightforward and well paid, I’ll be honest it was bloody refreshing.
The illustration they used above, was created from collaged tissue paper and a loose line with a pipette. It was also proof that editorial illustration doesn’t always need to be a slick digital creation. In fact, one big agency says the trend for 2024 is back to analogue.
Below is the first, rougher version I made using monoprint.
In 2019, I miraculously got signed by a boutique illustration agency and shocked myself. But with a busy schedule and a life that got in the way, I couldn’t produce the 30 required illustrations. So nothing happened, (my fault, not theirs) below is one of the images I sent which hooked the agent. Life is still busy with books’n stuff but this time I am making space to build that portfolio.
Following my heart, (I always do!) I have decided to enrol on an editorial illustration course to get some structure, whilst I build said portfolio. It won’t be Skillshare or the other one! I’ve found a course that is ticking lots of creative boxes, with a bit more soul and depth. More on this soon…
It’s a baby step into this industry, so any delays with my current book is (shushhh) welcome!
We grow, change and so do our dreams, so keep wishing, the wish fairy might hear! XX
Congratulations on the editorial work Polly! Your wish fairy is definitely listening to you! And that pipette line is so beautiful!
Brilliant! I like those gaps in feedback too, gives me time to do small life resets. Great news about the editorial stuff and the course!