Illustration portfolio advice: 7 things agents look out for in an illustration portfolio

Illustrators and animators eventually reach a point of curiosity about agency representation. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, applying to agencies for inclusion on their roster can be a daunting task. At Illustration Ltd, we receive an extremely high volume of requests for representation from artists all around the world, and our success stems from a careful method of selection.

Here’s 7 simple tips to help you stand out from this rather large crowd.

7 things agents look out for in an illustration portfolio

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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:

Martina Flor – Lettering Love

The first theme is ‘Lettering Love’ and if the free download wasn’t enough you can view a little video about the making of process too. Check that out here- https://vimeo.com/123647384

Martina Flor is represented by Handsome Frank

Larry Rostant’s portraits of Jimmy Edgar for DJ magazine

They broke the mould when they made this issue’s cover star Jimmy Edgar.

Larry Rostant's portrait of Jimmy Edgar is psychedelic, freaky, funky — and that’s not just his music. With a life well lived that’s reflected in the extraordinary scope of his albums and DJ sets, he’s not afraid to be different — and celebrates that difference.

A celebration of creativity, freedom and diversity is something that dance music should be about, but is something all too often lost in the chase for filthy lucre. Jimmy’s a star like they used to make, someone with something to say, and it seems that now more of us are listening than ever.

Larry Rostant is represented by Artist Partners

Geoff Hunt’s “Unknown Shore” is featured in the Daily Mail

Geoff Hunt’s impressive painting “Unknown Shore” is featured in April 16'ths edition of the Daily Mail in the Life section on an article promoting “The Wager Disaster: Mayhem, Mutiny and Murder in the South Seas” by  Rear Admiral C. H. Layman

Geoff Hunt RSMA - (Royal Society of Marine Artists) is a internationally renowned artist, represented by Artist Partners, and famously connected to the complete series of Patrick O’Brian book covers for Harper Collins that have now become iconic

Prints of his work available from : https://www.mysticseaport.org/artists/hunt-geoff/ & https://www.artmarine.co.uk/

Geoff Hunt is represented by Artist Partners

David Litchfield’s Début Picture Book – The Bear and the Piano

David has hit the ground running at Bright securing his first picture book deals in both the UK and the US. His distinctive style mixes colour and drama to inspire an incredible atmosphere which creates a huge scale from which to entertain his readers.

David's début Picture Book - The Bear and the Piano (published with Frances Lincoln), is available for pre-order now!

David first began drawing when he was very young, creating Star Wars & Indiana Jones mash-up comics for his older brother and sister. His illustration heroes and biggest influences are Albert Uderzo, Sylvan Chomet, Jon Klassen and Shaun Tan. He uses a variety of techniques to create his illustrations and considers himself to be a mixed media artist as he usually combines all the elements together in Photoshop.

David Litchfield is represented by Bright 

Christopher Nielsen Surfs His Way into Mini International

Australian illustrator Christopher Nielsen worked on a series of surfing images with Winkreative. The bold illustrations accompany an article about Munich River Surfer Carsten Kurmis in Mini International – a free magazine for Mini drivers and admirers around the world.

Read the full article here:

is represented by Phosphor Art

Chris Garbutt: It’s a Groovy World, Alfredo! – Debut Picturebook

Chris Garbutt's long-awaited debut picture book, It's a Groovy World, Alfredo! written by Sean Taylor, is published by Walker on 4th June.

Poor Alfredo is a frog who just can't dance. No matter how hard his best friend Marty (a smooth talking fly) tries to teach him all the fancy dance moves - all he ever does is Jump! Jump! Jump! It's just not cool!  Or… is it?

Chris' use of rich colours with subtle washes, combined with his simple yet expressive characters gives this heart-warming story a really unique feel. Here's a preview of his gorgeous illustrations.

Chris Garbutt is represented by Arena Illustration. 

Garry Walton – Channel Shore

Garry Walton was delighted to be asked to illustrate the cover of  ‘Channel Shore’ by Tom Fort. Garry worked with the design team at Simon and Schuster to create the cover art for Tom’s previous title ‘The A303 - Highway To The Sun’ and was thrilled to be asked to illustrate this next book in the series.

‘Channel Shore’ takes the reader on a fascinating, discursive journey from east to west, to find out what the English Channel means to us and what is so special about the English seaside. We love Garry’s cover illustration - it conjours up memories of lazy summer days at the beach!

Garry Walton is represented by Meiklejohn