A Surreal World

Bob Venables produces two incredible surrealistic paintings for an Artemis campaign.

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We believe in #fairterms for creators

Fair terms for creators is coordinated by the Creators Rights Alliance, in conjunction with a range of creator representatives and other organisations keen to support individual creators' rights.

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What Do Illustration Agents Do?

Illustration Ltd.’s Harry Lyon-Smith estimates that there are over 1000 illustration commissions each week in the United Kingdom.

With so many illustrators working on so many projects and any given time, it is clear that there is a big demand for representation out there. Illustration agents, like any agent, are the linchpin in the relationship between artists and the commissioning clients.

That might not explain what the agency does, and why freelancers need them but like any agency, there are certain tasks the agents will do to make it far easier for the freelancer excel in their career. As Caroline Thomson of Arena Illustration agency put it, “An agent is your support, quality control, sounding board and mentor.”

So, here are five practical every-day tasks that we can help you with...

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ND Talk: The Business of Illustration – Question Time with The SAA and The AOI

We are delighted to be taking part in the New Designers (Part Two) Talk Programme this year. We will be holding a Q&A panel discussion with the help of The Association of Illustrators (AOI) about:

The Business of Illustration: 

For those about to embark on a creative career, be prepared to be a business and BE SMART. For a profitable and sustained career as a freelance illustrator you must be prepared to tackle a wide range of specialisms including financial know-how, negotiation of terms, fees, contracts and PR & Marketing. Here's your chance to ask the experts about the Business of Illustration.  

The Panel: 

Chair Person: Derek Brazell - The Association of Illustrators Projects Manager and Varoom Publisher. Agents: Caroline Thomson - Arena Illustration, Andrew Coningsby - Début Art, Victoria Pearce - Illustration Ltd and Claire Meiklejohn - Meiklejohn.

The Business of Illustration Question Time will be held in the Talk Theatre at Business Design Centre on Friday 3rd July, from 2pm to 2.45pm.

Book your FREE ticket on the New Designers website.

 

Arts Thread Portfolio Reviews at New Designers

New Designers - The Exhibition for Emerging Talent

It's Degree Show time again and this year, the SAA have partnered up with Arts Thread at New Designers and will be offering our expertise in reviewing illustration graduates portfolios. So if you're exhibiting at New Designers 2015, here's a brilliant opportunity to sign up for the FREE portfolio reviews with the experts. We'll be at New Designers 2015 Part 2 from Thursday 3rd July to Saturday 5th at the Business Design Centre, London N1 0QH - see you there!

Participating Agents:

House of Illustration: Illustrator in Residence Call for Entries

House of Illustration have announced that they are now accepting applications for their 2015 Illustrator in Residence programme. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative illustrator, graphic artist or collective to create an ambitious body of work that inspires visitors and challenges public opinion about what illustration can be. Applications are welcome from recent graduates or established practitioners over the age of 25, working in any medium or format.

The residency lasts for six months and it's the second year the programme has run. Rachel Lillie was the Illustrator in Residence in 2014 and played a key role in recording the House of Illustration's Housewarming season when it opened it's doors for the first time in July.

Applications are closing on 15th May and you can read more about the judges and how to apply here.

World Illustration Awards 2015 – Call for Entries Now Open

For nearly four decades, the AOI has presented the most comprehensive and significant awards for illustration in the UK. Now, for the first time in the history of the organisation they welcome an international partner, the Directory of Illustration, to create the World Illustration Awards 2015, honouring the most inspiring illustration throughout the world.

Illustration (C)  Laurindo Feliciano

The call for entries is open!

Work entered into the World Illustration Awards will be reviewed by a jury of distinguished and international industry professionals. The competition shortlist reflects exceptional work by illustrators currently making an outstanding contribution to visual culture and is published in full on theaoi.com, which receives over 100,000 hits per month.

Award winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at Somerset House, the major arts and cultural centre in the heart of London. Selected works will be displayed in their spectacular Terrace Rooms. Following this the exhibition tours to multiple venues across the UK, which receives approximately 40,000 visitors during its run.

Selected works will also be showcased in an accompanying publication, which will be circulated to all major commissioners of illustration.

ENTER NOW

Who Can Enter?

The World Illustration Awards are open to illustrators working in ANY medium, context or geographical location. Work must be entered as either a New Talent entry or a Professional entry.

New Talent entrants are Undergraduate Students, Post-Graduate Students or Graduates within two years of graduation. Professional entrants are all other professional illustrators.

What Can Be Entered?

Work can be entered by the creator of the work (illustrator, student /new graduate) or by any third party such as an Agent, Designer, College, Publisher or Commissioner.

Work entered for the competition must have been created or published between 1st January 2014 to February 2015. Work in ANY medium can be entered in ANY category.

Entries can either be Single Image Entry (one image per entry) or Multiple Image Entry (up to 5 images per entry). Single or Multiple Entries can be entered in any category, depending on the size of the project or number of images within it. Multiple Entries are more expensive and should therefore be used to showcase different elements of the same project (multiple illustrations, spreads from a book and so on).
Professional entries must have been commercially commissioned for all categories except Public Realm and Self-Initiated Work.

New Talent entries do not have to be commercially commissioned and should be entered into the category that is most relevant to the work. For example, a college project creating a picture book should be entered as a New Talent entry in the Children's Book Category.

Work must be entered into one of the 8 Categories. These are very broadly defined to welcome work of all types and in all contexts where illustration is used.

Cost of Entry

Single Entry

UK & EU - £25 (including VAT) per entry
ROW - £20.83 (no VAT) per entry

Multiple Entry
UK & EU - £45 (including VAT) per entry
ROW - £37.50 (no VAT) per entry

Key Dates

Midday Monday 9 February 2015
Call for Entry closes

April 2015
Shortlisted work announced

June 2015
Category Winners announced

October 2015
Awards Ceremony
Awards Exhibition opens at Somerset House
Awards Catalogue published

November 2015
Exhibition starts 12-month national tour

The Illustrators Guide to Business , event Hosted by the AOI

The Illustrators Guide to Business

Wednesday 30 April 2014, 10.00-16.30
Thursday 1 May 2014, 10.00-16.30

The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 0RN

The essential two-day course organised by the AOI and taught by specialists will give you the business skills to succeed as a professional illustrator.

This intensive course has been put together to help any illustrator acquire the knowledge and critical skills crucial to building a successful career. Structured to be both comprehensive and manageable, each session is tailored to provide an essential step-by-step guide to a successful freelance career. It is also an exciting opportunity to meet with peers and get indispensable practical advice and support from industry experts. So stay ahead of the competition, increase your confidence and develop your strategy for the future.

Non Members £60 per day, £110 for both days
Students, AOI & SCWBI Members £50 per day, £90 for both days !
Advanced booking recommended call 020 7759 1015 to pay by credit or debit card.

For more information contact https://www.theaoi.com/
Attendees of the course are eligible to receive 20% discount on full price day tickets to Pick Me Up: Graphic Arts Festival at Somerset House taking place 24 April – 5 May 2014.

Images 36 invite!

We are proud to announce that an illustration by our wonderfully talented new artist, Anuska Allepuz, has been selected for use on the AOI's invitation and poster for the prestigious 'Images 36, The Best of British Illustration 2012' exhibition. Her delicate but modern approach to drawing shines through in this stylish design and will be a fantastic advert for all that is great about illustration today. Make sure to go down to Somerset House, the new home of the AOI, to see the exhibit!

Anuska Allepuz is represented by the Organisation

IMAGES 35 – launching tonight!

Images is the premier and longest running jury-selected illustration competition, annual and touring exhibition in the UK. It provides the leading showcase for the great variety of contemporary illustration commissioned in the UK today, published alongside self-initiated promotional artwork and up-and-coming new talent.
Tonight is the launch and award ceremony (by invitation only) where this year's winners will be announced

London exhibition:
Bankside Gallery, 48 Hopton Street, London, SE1 9J
Open to the public: Friday 26 August – Friday 2 September 2011,
Monday to Sunday, 11.00 –18.00, entry free