Thursday 16 April 2015

Butterfly alert!

I don’t mean the real butterflies that have made a welcome appearance in the spring sunshine, but those jittery, flittery ones inside me.

And what’s got me all in a tizz?

This.


It’s my first assignment for the Illustrating Children’s Books course that I’m doing with the London Art College. I had to do a double page illustration for the rhyme 'Row, row, row your boat'. I’m enjoying doing all the exercises – and I’m sure I’ve learnt a lot already – but I’m sooo nervous about showing my work to the tutor. 

It’s ridiculous! I know my artwork is far from perfect, that’s why I’m doing this course. I want some professional feedback and advice on how to improve it. There’s no logical reason for this swarm of butterflies, but here they are!

I can’t remember when I last felt like this.

Oh, yes, I can. It was the first time I plucked up the courage to send a little children’s story to a publisher. I had nightmares about them suing me for wasting their time. But that episode resulted in my first publishing acceptance, and those butterflies of apprehension turned into butterflies of excitement. Here’s hoping the same thing happens again.        

What gets your butterflies fluttering?

9 comments:

Patsy said...

Aaaw, cute drawings.

Rewrites get me. I'm not really nervous about sending stuff in, but if they sort of like it but ask me to change something then I am.

liz young said...

Sweet little teddy bear boatmen. Enjoy your course.

Wendy's Writing said...

My granddaughter would love that illustration, Linda.

Linda D said...

Thanks, everyone! The problem is that I can see all the things I'd change if I started again, so I'm wondering how many more mistakes the tutor will spot!

I know what you mean about rewrites, Patsy. You might spend ages doing a rewrite and still not give them exactly what they want. I'd rather have a straight yes or no.

Jan Baynham said...

Lovely, Linda. It sounds a really interesting course to do!

Anonymous said...

Those pictues are lovely, Linda, and I'm sure you will get some work as I'd have you to illustrate my book if and when I write some more children's stories. Enjoy the course.

Linda D said...

Thanks, Jan, I'm certainly enjoying doing the course.

Very kind of you, Susan, but I think I'll need a lot more practise before I start looking for commissions!

Anne Goodwin said...

Love those drawings.
Well, my guts are swarming with butterflies as I progress towards publication day for my debut novel.

Linda D said...

Thanks, Anne. At least you know your novel is going to be published. Good luck with it!