Happy New Year Everyone

Adding Some Color To A Christmas Sketch

 I took another one of my Christmas sketches after turning it into a video from Screenr.com

The sketch was brought into Photoshop and I selected the Mode menu to convert the sketch into a duotone illustration. You can view the process here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W00VepQGMIM

Christmas Sketch Turned Into A Duotone

 

 Here I have a Christmas sketch that I scanned and brought into Photoshop. I bring my cursor to the Menu and select Image. The drop down menu brings me to Mode and I select Grayscale and then I select Duotone. You can view this video at this link  Duotone Sketch

A Fine Reference Book for Children Illustrators

                                      

I recently purchased a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books by Harold D. Underdown. The book gave me an overall understanding what the industry consist of. This involves writers, editors, designers, illustrators, agents and many more professionals. I found Mr. Underdowns' book very thoughtful and flowing with ideas about the children's book industry. If you have any interest about the business of children's book publishing I would recommend you find a copy and discover how involved the industry is.

The book has lots of advice on writing kid's books, information on publishers and their importance, advice preparing your story and illustrations. How to prepare your manuscripts and contacting publishers. There is so much more information I haven't mentioned and suggest discovering for yourself. Check out the book at 

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Publishing-Childrens-Edition/dp/1592577504

I especially found Chapter 17 " I Need An Agent!" very informative. Mr. Underdown clarifies the difference between a literary agent and artist's representative. A very interesting difference is the commission amounts they receive. For example A literary agent usually receives 15% and artist representative commissions between 25-30 percent. Also, many of the best reps and agents have a "referral only policy" with new clients. It is a challenge for creatives to get their foot in the publishing door.

I highly recommend purchasing this valuable reference book for a clear understanding about the children's book industry and add it to your book shelf.