Just in case you missed it, over at my D2PB Group Blog, I shared my illustration process behind my Groundhog Waltz illustration.
Drawn To Picture Books: Groundhog Waltz, Illustration Process: Diana Ting ...: Here's a peek into my illustration process.
BTW: Notice the rough sketch behind my illustration implements? It's a very sneaky peek at a personal project currently on my drawing board. Sh-h-h-h.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
Little Red Postcard Design
I'm aiming for 3 postcard mailings in 2016. Here's the first, featuring a detail from my Little Red illustration on the front and Groundhog Waltz on the back. These are large postcards, roughly 5.5" x 8.5" the better to show off the illustration detail and also hoping that it will help make my card stand out. I use VistaPrint.com to print my postcards.
As this is a mailing aimed at the kid lit world, I try and pick illustrations that show off my narrative skills. I use the market listings from the SCBWI's The Book as well as the names/companies I've amassed from my own research via networking, conferences, workshops, etc. My mailing list is under 200 contacts.
Lately I've heard a lot of advice to use a small targeted mailing list. True this could save you a bundle in printing and postage. While, I do make a point to target only those places that publish picture books/kid lit art, it's still a fairly large list comprised of my actual contacts, dream places as well as "sort of why not" possibilities. I have found that it's better not to make it a too narrow list. In the past I've gotten work from those sort of/why not send them something places. When you consider that it's only a 49¢ stamp plus 25¢ per postcard print expense - a total sum of 75¢ per card, it might be worth taking a few chances.
Front of Postcard -Detail from Little Red - © Diana Ting Delosh |
As this is a mailing aimed at the kid lit world, I try and pick illustrations that show off my narrative skills. I use the market listings from the SCBWI's The Book as well as the names/companies I've amassed from my own research via networking, conferences, workshops, etc. My mailing list is under 200 contacts.
Back of Postcard - Groundhog Waltz - © Diana Ting Delosh |
Lately I've heard a lot of advice to use a small targeted mailing list. True this could save you a bundle in printing and postage. While, I do make a point to target only those places that publish picture books/kid lit art, it's still a fairly large list comprised of my actual contacts, dream places as well as "sort of why not" possibilities. I have found that it's better not to make it a too narrow list. In the past I've gotten work from those sort of/why not send them something places. When you consider that it's only a 49¢ stamp plus 25¢ per postcard print expense - a total sum of 75¢ per card, it might be worth taking a few chances.
Monday, February 8, 2016
Happy Year of the Monkey!
Monkey © Diana Ting Delosh - Ink, Brush pen, Watercolor FYI: this illustration is available as a Year of the Monkey Card at GreetingCardUniverse.com/DianasCards |
Wishing ALL a Happy, Creative and Prosperous 2016!
Every January I begin the year with my ambitions, dreams and goals and by the time Chinese New Year, February 8th, comes around, it's time to re-boot the list. It's about a month into 2016 and I can see what's working, what isn't and what needs to be tweaked.
What's been working is making a realistic daily list BUT more importantly focusing in on what task on the list MUST be done before I go to sleep. This actually has helped my chronic insomnia. So far so good.
Making a point to make more finished art has been good as it's helped me get to the point where it's almost as natural as my old style. However is it distracting me from progress in other areas? Must balance making more finished art with my other goals such as making that picture book dummy. Part of the only so much time in the day dilemma.
On Self-promoting, I've been experimenting with putting up more art on my twitter feed. Yes it will get you more twitter followers etc. and it feels great when it gets LIKED and RTed. It definitely builds your web presence as an illustrator. Not sure about actually landing you work. For that I still think getting out the postcards and submitting proposals etc. Next up old school postcards and submission packs.
Hope your Year is as fun and surprising, in a good way, as a barrel full of Monkeys.
What's been working is making a realistic daily list BUT more importantly focusing in on what task on the list MUST be done before I go to sleep. This actually has helped my chronic insomnia. So far so good.
Making a point to make more finished art has been good as it's helped me get to the point where it's almost as natural as my old style. However is it distracting me from progress in other areas? Must balance making more finished art with my other goals such as making that picture book dummy. Part of the only so much time in the day dilemma.
On Self-promoting, I've been experimenting with putting up more art on my twitter feed. Yes it will get you more twitter followers etc. and it feels great when it gets LIKED and RTed. It definitely builds your web presence as an illustrator. Not sure about actually landing you work. For that I still think getting out the postcards and submitting proposals etc. Next up old school postcards and submission packs.
Hope your Year is as fun and surprising, in a good way, as a barrel full of Monkeys.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Happy Groundhogs Day!
Monday, February 1, 2016
Meet the Artist - Self Portrait
Meet the Artist - Self Portrait © Diana Ting Delosh - Brush Pen, indigo wash, Photoshop |
I opted for a head shot and put in fat marker icons of what I like to draw. Originally I was going to write things like: likes animals, nature, chocolate and dislikes creepy crawly things, darkness, evil. Except that I LOVE monsters and murder and mayhem as long as it's all fictional and the good guys win in the end.
Not sure if you'd recognize me from this but it is me in spirit. Hey what can I say, I'm not a portrait artist.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Drawn to Picture Books - Group Blog
Current banner for the DrawnToPictureBooks blog |
Our Meet the Artists debut posts.
Diana Ting Delosh: Jan 13, 2016
Barbara DiLorenzo: Jan 20, 2016
Patricia Keeler: Jan 27, 016
Mike Ciccotello: Feb 3, 2016
Jason Kirschner: Feb 10, 2016
Deborah Cuneo: Feb 17, 2016
Monday, January 11, 2016
Make MORE Art
My 2015 #colour_collective illustrations #MyCC2015 © Diana Ting Delosh |
Last year I participated in #colour_collective on twitter and above is a compilation of all the art I created for that weekly art challenge. I had started it with the idea that I could use this challenge to try out new techniques, mediums, practice and just explore in general. Wasn't able to do all 53 weeks but it spurred me to make more art than if I hadn't joined in the fun. I'll be doing it again in 2016. This year I'll be doing it, with an eye to practicing and exploring my brush pen technique or even using just the brush or a bamboo pen even.
Here's to 2016 - and making MORE Art.
FYI: #colour_collective @Clr_Collective is a weekly Twitter Art challenge started by @PennyNevilleLee. A color is announced on saturdays and everyone posts the following friday at 19:30 GMT. The first color announcement of 2016 will be on saturday January 16, 2016. In the meanwhile some of the colour collective artists will be participating in the #MeetTheArtist challenge to be posted this Friday at 19:00 GMT. Will I be one of them? Perhaps.
And follow me at @dtdelosh
And follow me at @dtdelosh
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Looking forward to 2016
Winter Raccoon © Diana Ting Delosh ink watercolor digital |
Here's to 2016 and all the hopes and promises of a shiny New Year.
Wishing All a Happy and Creatively Productive, Prolific and Prosperous New Year
As for me I have my 2016 planner and my lists of things I hope to accomplish and how I plan to do it. The how, I feel is actually more important than the end game. I could say I want to have picture book contract with a major traditional publisher in 2016. However it would be unrealistic as there are quite a few factors out of my control. I'm much better having as goals:
• a few picture book dummies and /or manuscripts that have gone through the vetting process of my trusted illustrator crit group and/or my writer's group. One of my resolutions is to only submit my best. Which is why I really need the eyes and ears of my beta readers.
• Making a list of publishers/agents/editors that I feel would be most receptive to my projects.
• Submitting to the above.
• Working on multiple projects/proposals at a time as I can't afford to put all my eggs in 1 basket.
• Revamping my website/portfolio dianadelosh.com so that it's as enticing as possible.
Instead of a "where I want to be by the end of the year" dream list. I'm making a list of specific projects and tasks that are steps towards my dreams and hopes for 2016.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Happy Holidays!
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Little Red - Illustration Process Post
Little Red © Diana Ting Delosh Ink Watercolor Digital |
Ink Line Detail for Little Red ©Diana Ting Delosh Assorted pens |
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