Michigan

Just For Illustrators

Spring Sketch Weekend — North and South — June 11&12!

1. Southern Location: Cranbrook Japanese Garden

(380 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304)

Hosts: Kim Wyman and Amy Nielander

When: Sunday, June 12th, 1-2:30pm

Note: SCBWI members can park at the Cranbrook House and Gardens. We’ll meet in front of the house and walk to the Japanese Garden together. Members may find this map helpful. Follow @xokimberlywyman and @amynielander on IG for day-of updates.

RSVP here, please, so we know to keep an eye out for you!

2. Northern Location: The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park

(1490 Red Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684)

Hosts: Katie Eberts & Brianne Farley

When: Saturday, June 11, 2-4pm

Note: We’ll meet at the entrance to the Visitor’s Center and move on from there — perhaps to the Fairy Trail or one of the many gardens within the park. Follow @katieebertsillustration and @briannehfarley on IG for day-of updates.

RSVP here, please, so we know to keep an eye out for you!

Current Opportunities: Events In Other Regions To Take Advantage Of

Nebraska Region offering a Portfolio Review Day with Melanie Figueroa

June 11, 2022, online via Zoom

Cost: $60 for members

How: You will receive a written critique of your submitted work at least seven days before the in-person event; at which time you will have a 15-minute face-to-face meeting with Melanie to ask follow-up questions and flesh out your understanding of her critique. Time slots will be determined at registration.

*Melanie is looking to build her illustrator list, so this is a great opportunity if you are looking for an agent!

For all of the information: https://nebraska.scbwi.org/events/portfolio-review-day/

Have you taken a look at The Book yet? If not, you must! (free for members to download)

The Book (https://www.scbwi.org/online-resources/the-book/the-book-member-download/)

THE BOOK contains new and essential articles and answers many of your burning questions in the Illustrator’s Guide (pg. 15) such as:
* What should I put in my portfolio? Great article: Putting Together A Prize-Winning Portfolio by Molly Idle, pg. 25
* Should I be on social media as an artist? (Spoiler: YES)
* How do I show my work to a publisher?
* Must/Should I have an agent represent me?
* What fees or royalties can I expect from illustrating a children’s book?

…and so much more. Please go download your free copy (or you can buy a physical copy for $6.25 + shipping), it really does contain most if not all of the information you will need to know as a newbie.

3 Easy Ways To Get Eyes On Your Artwork:

1. Put your portfolio in the SCBWI Illustrator Gallery

If you have not done so already, set up your portfolio in the Illustrator Gallery. It’s easy — you set it up on your SCBWI Member Profile page. If you get confused, instructions to do that are here: https://www.scbwi.org/our-new-website/illustrator-gallery-how-to/.

2. Submit to the Bulletin

Each issue of the Bulletin features many pieces of spot art submitted by members. Members receive $50 for each piece that is used. SCBWI retains only the first-time rights, the artist keeps all other rights to use the art. All SCBWI members are eligible to enter by submitting one or more spot illustrations following the guidelines below.

In addition, each issue of the Bulletin features a winning “Art Spot” illustration, chosen from the pool of submissions. The art spot winner receives $100 for their winning piece.

Submitting is easy. Here are the guidelines:

* You must be a current SCBWI member to submit.
* Illustrations should be emailed to bulletinart@scbwi.org.
* All digital files should be titled with the first and last name of the illustrator, followed by a number for multiple submissions. (i.e. “John_Doe1.jpg”)
* Images should be 300 DPI, TIF, or JPG files; total file size 5MB or less.
* Grayscale or B&W files only.
* Art must be either line art or vignetted, not full-bleed art.
* Do not mail your submission, SCBWI cannot be held responsible for art that is mailed.

Submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis. You will be notified if your art was selected via email. Some art submissions that are not used immediately will be placed on a waiting list of a future Bulletin. You will be notified as soon as the art will be used and a check will be issued.

3. Start submitting to DRAW THIS! every month

Draw This! Draw this! is a monthly art prompt that is part of SCBWI INSIGHT (the email newsletter sent to all SCBWI members). Illustrators have the opportunity each month to show their artwork in a social media gallery and two winning pieces are featured in the INSIGHT email and the homepage of the website. The Twitter and Instagram galleries are open to public viewing, so agents, art directors, and editors have yet another way of finding our illustrators. You can find each month’s prompt at the very bottom of the INSIGHT email newsletter.

Submitting is easy. Here are the guidelines:

* You must be a current SCBWI member to submit.
* Post your work to Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #SCBWIDrawThis.
* Artwork must be inspired by the prompt word in some way.
* Art may be B&W, grayscale, or RGB color.
* Vignettes, line art, and full-bleed art are welcome.