I enjoyed the weekend and come back to the picture book projects : an education picture book and a trade picture book. Both are going well. I've been enjoying lots of Black & White roughs and Colour roughs. Technically, many "washes" will come up in the trade picture book that bridges reality and unreality. The education one is factual.
Illustration is like "falling in love" with a "manuscript." You love it at a first sight. You can't hold your emotions and respond to the text! --- is essential or preferable.
However, it's a hard task to keep an illustrator's emotions fresh and high. Picture book illustration often takes a "year" (or years) to finish up 32 pages (*an average page number for one trade picture book). Please imagine, a person must be excited nearly everyday for a year. Friends, we all know, not easy to keep falling in love with the same person for 24 hrs for 365 days. Furthermore, submitted illustrations could come back for try-it-again.
Physically and mentally, very demanding job. Technically, very sophisticated. We work very hard and try experiments lots at the stage of roughs and a story board -- I'm just there! Readers only know a tiny bit of an illustrator's huge efforts like an ice berg.
Recently, when I was invited to a public library's event, a lady approached to me arrogantly. 'I've heard you're an illustrator. I have wonderful texts(=I'll give you a chance). Work together.' Patient Sadami courteously and proudly answered, 'Rule of thumb, we'll never work for freebie. Quite expensive. Please check ASA rate, our minimum wages. I'm a picture book illustrator.' My say disappointed her badly. She said in disdain, 'Picture book? (with a full contempt) I don't work with a kid's picture book illustrator. I'll tell you, my daughter, talented daughter, 8 yrs old already writes a chapter book....blablabla.' Very patient Sadami gave her the info on Australian Society of Authors and suggested, 'Please consult ASA about your daughter's case,' and got back to dear librarians.
Friends, I love this job, illustration, although it consumes both energy and time so much. You know my daily sketches that allow me to create picture books. Quite tough job, but, --according to another big name's say, -- 'You'll get addicted to this job!' Yes, indeed. Also, I'd like to believe that many people appreciate our work, picture books. Actually, this blogging and blog friends back me up so much. Thank you!
Friends, chin up, if you're in a tough time. You're not alone! I'd send you my biiig hugs!
Keep up and Happy Painting!!
It's fascinating to get inside your mind, Sadami. Also the process of illustrating a book. So much more complex then it appears. Don't forget yourself in this process, if you forget yourself all will be lost!!!!!!!!!! Happy thinking :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Polly, thank u so much! Yes, I'll never lose myself. That's the point. I'll keep your say in my mind.
DeleteCheers, Sadami
I really love this illustration, Sadami! You do wonderful artwork that is seen and appreciated by so many different people. That's what appeals to me about illustration: lots and lots of people will see your work every time they open the books. I, too, do not understand the general attitude that illustrators are a separate type of artist. It's all art. And I think that illustration takes much more creativity that much of the traditional "fine art" that I see. What you do is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi, Katherine, thank u so much for your empathy and warm support! Children picture books have a broad spectrum in genres and styles from entertainments to literature that handle varied topics. It seems that not many people seriously study picture books. (*I feel you certainly KNOW picture books from your rich experiences as a teacher.)
DeleteI hope many people will love my work. So far, editors, teams and publishers are very happy with my work. I'll keep up.
Best wishes, Sadami
I think your illustrations are amazing. So glad you have shown the drawing as well as the painted work...do you know, I love the 'chin' you have put on this child, just adds so much to the character of it...the sign of a true professional at work.
ReplyDeleteDear Ann, thank u so much! I'm working on roughs and pages. Only the issue is I cannot upload many roughs at this stage. I hope this project will be loved by many people! I'll keep up.
DeleteBest wishes, Sadami
Sadami, creo que te enamoras con facilidad ante un manuscrito, el arte y las buenas personas.
ReplyDeleteEres muy buena y eso se refleja en tus ilustraciones.
Esa niña o niño sentado con el Violoncelo detrás es el reflejo de lo que digo. Fantástico!!
Tienes una capacidad extraordinaria para trabajar, una gran emotividad y eres muy fuerte ante las dificultades.
Espero y deseo que tengas mucho éxito!!
Te admiro y felicito por todo ello.
Un abrazo.
Oh, Joshemari, gracias y estás tan bonito! Hasta ahora, editores, equipos y editores están muy contentos con mi trabajo. Podrá mantenerse. Espero que mucha gente le encanta mi trabajo. Sus estímulos hacen feliz y me dan energía para seguir adelante! Podrá mantenerse.
DeleteUn abrazo y mis mejores deseos, Sadami
Oh, Joshemari, thank you and you're so nice!! So far, editors, teams and publishers are very happy with my work. I'll keep up. I hope many people will love my work. Your encouragements make me happy and give me energy to go forward! I'll keep up.
A hug and best wishes, Sadami
>>>Joshemari said...
Sadami, think that you fall in love with ease before a manuscript, art and good people.
You are very good and that is reflected in your illustrations.
That girl or boy sitting with the cello back is a reflection of what I say. Fantastic!
You have an extraordinary capacity for work, a great emotion and are very strong in difficulties.
I hope and wish that you have much success!
I admire you and congratulate you for this.
A hug.
Hola Sadami, a parte de presentar un excelente dibujo, me parece interesante lo que explicas sobre los ilustradores, es verdad que no se les da la importancia que tienen, igual que a los pintores, te dice la gente ¿como vendes esto tan caro si lo haces en dos horas?, yo suelo contestar que para poder hacer esto en dos horas hay que trabajar 20 años , en fin por suerte hay mucha gente que lo valora, saludos.
ReplyDeleteHola, Frances, thank you very much! De hecho! Esa es la cuestión! Me encanta tu respuesta a gente quejarse sobre nosotros, artistas. Hemos pasado mucho tiempo de vida e invertido una enorme cantidad de dinero en materiales para lograr hoy habilidades y trabajar. Estoy muy feliz de saber que tienes la misma opinión.
DeleteMis mejores deseos, Sadami
Hi, Frances, thank you very much!! Indeed! That's the point! I love your answer to people complaining about us, artists. We've spent a life long time and invested a huge amount of money in materials to achieve today's out skills and work. I'm very happy to know you have the same view!
Best wishes, Sadami
>>>> Frances said...
Hello Sadami, besides presenting an excellent drawing, find it me interesting that explain about illustrators, it is true that not given it importance, just as painters, says people would as selling this so expensive if you do it in two hours?, I usually reply that to do this in two hours you have to work 20 years , so Luckily there are many people who value it, greetings.
It is always a pleasure for me to come visit and read your blog Sadami. I admire picture book illustrators work all the time. I've never seen one illustration I didn't love or think it could be better. You and your peers capture the essence of the character or event you are depicting and it is magical.
ReplyDeleteDear Carol, thank you very much for your warm support that enables me to go forward. I'll do my best for these projects. You, too, enjoy drawing.
DeleteBest wishes, Sadami
It is so nice to hear how passionate you are about your work. There's nothing more satisfying than that! Thank you for the weekly dose of optimism and positiveness, Sadami! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteHi, Blaga, thanks millions! Yes, I have nothing, but this enthusiasm, guts and efforts. You, too, enjoy drawing!
DeleteBest wishes, Sadami
Sadami es usted una ilustradora estupenda, pero ademas es una artista de la acuarela, se merece todos los reconocimientos por su trabajo
ReplyDeleteEstimada Beatriz, muchas gracias! Sí, lo que usted me ha dicho es el punto para estos proyectos---intentamos maximizar mi fuerza, un buen "Acuarelista" que puede crear trabajo hermoso. Haré mi mejor esfuerzo!
DeleteMis mejores deseos, Sadami
Dear Beatriz, thank you very much! Yes, what you've told me is the point for these projects --- we're trying to maximise my strength, a good "watercolourist" who can create beautiful work. I'll do my best!
Best wishes, Sadami
>>>Beatriz said...
Sadami you a great Illustrator, but also is a watercolor artist, deserves all the awards for their work
Great work...
ReplyDeleteBest regards from France,
Pierre
Hi, Pierre, thanks millions! Enjoy taking photos!
DeleteBest wishes, Sadami
Good to read about what is all involved in creating a picture book, Sadami! You told that lady well! The drawing and the painting are beautiful! A biiiig hug back from me!
ReplyDeleteHi, Judy, thank u! So far, editors, teams and publishers are very happy with my work. I'll keep up. You, too, enjoy drawing!!
DeleteBest wishes, Sadami
Sadami, You are a great illustrator and a wonderful diplomat :) You know how to value yourself and show that to others! Keep up your beautiful self and work ! Take care, meera
ReplyDeleteHi, Meera, thank u for warm cheers! I'm learning a lot. Hopefully, I'll learn many things in this industry. Also, my mentor once told me, "Value yourself." It's very important, you've already know it! Enjoy drawing, Meera!!
DeleteBest wishes, Sadami
You were so tactful to that rude and ignorant woman! I can't imagine the work you're doing but thank you for sharing a little of the inside information :) Not just talent, but dedication and love for the project - and tactfulness - is needed, it seems. I really like the child with the cello! Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteHi, Rhonda, thank u! Yes, indeed, three necessary conditions you wrote above are essential elements for an illustrator, but also for any artist in a pragmatic aspect. I'll keep up! So far, both editors are very happy with my work!
DeleteCheers, Sadami
Sadami, we all seem to face people who think what we do is of little value! I always wonder...what would the world be like if all the pictures were somehow removed? What a gray place it would be. And yet, so many "jokes" are made at the artist's expense. Recently, one of our former Presidents took up painting. Many people laughed over this and made jokes. I think it is so sad....because painting is (to me and many others...) of utmost importance. Instead of congratulating the former president, people laughed. Well, at least WE know that artistic endeavors are valuable! (I love the painting in this post)!
ReplyDeleteHi, Cleste, thank u so much! Really sorry for the President's story. What a nasty response and terrible insults thrown to the fomer president! But how noble, humanistic and brave the president's decision!! I'd send my best wishes for the president!!
DeleteLike you, the other day, an artist told me, "We have to do a strike! No art is available on the earth. People will know they have not appreciated artists and our work!" (*ah, can't we do that really?) Yes, WE know the value of art -- so precious and priceless. We all have got drawned!
Kind regards, Sadami
Eres una gran ilustradora y nos haces disfrutar a todos con tu arte. Estadisticamente hay que contar con un numero de personas engreidas y maleducadas, pero tambien hay un numero de personas que saben apreciar el arte. Un abrazo.
ReplyDeleteOh, Tina, gracias!!! Me encanta tu sentido del humor y creo eso teoría de la estadística. No sé que eres un artista maravilloso y un brillante "demógrafo."
DeleteMis mejores deseos, guiño, guiño, Sadami
Oh, Tina, thank you!!! I love your sense of humour and believe that statistic theory. I did not know you are a wonderful artist and a brilliant "demographer."
Best wishes, wink,wink, Sadami
>>>Tina said...
You're a great Illustrator and we do enjoy everyone with your art. Statistically there is to count with a number people engreidas and rude, but also there are a number of people who appreciate art. A hug.
Dear Sadami:) You are always so enthoustiastic about your drawings for children books. I love that!:) I love your sketches:) Today our country was colord orange because today we have a new king and queen! So I did not much painting but sat in front of the TV.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to tell:) Take care and big hugs!xx
Hi, Renate, thank u! Yes, I saw that news on the telly, too!(*Australian English, a "telly"=tv) How exciting!! And your new avater looks nice!! You, too, take care and enjoy your day!
DeleteBest wishes & big hugs, Sadami
Hi Sadami,
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since I wrote. Than better I can see from time I've comment last: you grew up your talent and accomplished a lot!
I can't wait to see the finished book. 32 pages?! oh Gosh!!
I can feel your pain as I just published only 26 page book with 70+ sketches that I painted 3 years. Oh yeah, illustrating books is much more difficult.
I love your input into this business.
Thank you very much and have a wonderful day!
Irina
Dear Irina,
DeleteThank u very much. Congrats on your achievement on publishing. I hope you will sell lots and well. Please enjoy your sweet fruit.
I'll work on the projects. The trade has 32 pages. The education one is less pages than the trade book. You, too, have a nice day.
Kind regards, Sadami
Love this illo, Sadami - I used to play cello and love dogs :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes people who don't do have no idea what is involved.
You were very polite to her. I hope she visits ASA and realises her mistake!
love and hugs to you xxxooo
Thank u, Pat! Wow, you did not talk about the cello. I want to listen to your playing one day.
DeleteWell, it's true a "blind person will never get scared at a snake." Let us move on. We have no time to waste.
Love and hugs to you, too! Sadami
Tu texto también está lleno de colores. Hay mucha belleza en tu trabajo. Felicidades, Sadami!!
ReplyDeleteHola, gracias, J.Paz,
DeleteDéjenos disfrutar de dibujo y pintura juntos en este viaje interminable.
Mis mejores deseos, Sadami
Hi, Thank you, J.Paz,
Let us enjoy drawing and painting together on this never ending journey.
Best wishes, Sadami
>>>J.Paz said...
Your text is also full of colors. There is much beauty in your work. Congratulations, Sadami!
Hi. I love this illustration so much. Can you please tell me the title of the children's book and when I might be published as I would like to purchase it. Thank you. email: earthmotherlife@gmail(DOT)com
ReplyDeleteHi, Wendy, thank u so much! At the moment, the project is "under cover." The title and detailed book info will be publicly announced when time comes. The team, that includes me, is discussing about a storyboard and illo. I really appreciate your support and great patience.
DeleteBTW, your blog has beautiful drawings and photos. Wow, I have to go your place to sketch the beauty of nature and us, human lives!!!
Kind regards, Sadami