The SAA are very pleased to be supporting the World Illustration Awards by sponsoring The SAA Agents Award for New Talent.
illustrator 
As part of The London Design Festival, Regents Street hosted a series of in store and on store events, installations and talks. Angelica, commissioned by the Communication Store, was centre stage capturing sartorial shoppers in Ted Baker and Aquascutum, creating unique portraits to take home.
Anjelica Roselyn is represented by Lipstick of London
Petra has created some strong work with a powerful message for Red. Red is a non profit organisation founded by Bono, that engages people and companies in the fight to end HIV and Aids in Africa.
Viktor Koen and Istvan Banyai are part of a select grouping of 53 illustrators, cartoonists and animators featured in “Art as Witness: Political Graphics 2016-18” at the School of Visual Arts in New York. This powerful and inspiring exhibition shows us how, in today’s political climate, artists are using satire to record and respond to the current state of affairs.
Corey Brickley was commissioned by The Folio Society to illustrate the binding and 6 internal illustrations for ‘The Folio Book of Horror Stories’, released as part of their Autumn 2018 collection.
Artist Partners' Alexis Bruchon is working on a set of illustrations each week for BonneGueule's 'Extraordinary stories and men of style' series.
We love Lucy Truman's beautiful, fluid illustrations for Stella Magazine's fashion special. Lucy's signature style highlights the very best of the high street's autumn collections.
Lucy Truman is represented by New Division
You Only Live Once is the first title in the brilliantly funny Gracie Dart series by Jess Vallance, featuring a fantastic cover illustration by Gary Newman.
Check out Robyn’s rundown of the key ingredients for illustration success in this field:
As well as being perfect for the target market in both style and substance, the look and feel of the book must be appealing to the adult that is most likely to be purchasing the book. Think about the tastes and current trends that are likely to grab the attention of book buyers.
The editorial and design team will have bags of experience and be directly in touch with sales people so have faith that their feedback will always be based on really valid market information. Even if changes can seem random at times, trust that the outcome will only improve sales of your book. For example, covers that are green sell less well than red covers! It’s a thing - I promise!
It is worth having a selection of different eyes and noses up your sleeve (so to speak), and in your portfolio. Features can often be a sticking point as some looks work better in some markets than others. Design teams will often ask for options so it is worth being flexible.
Be mindful that your book might be sold across the globe and should appeal to all children and their families, whomever they are and wherever they are in the world.
For younger children, it’s great to be obvious, but for older audiences, don’t over-egg it! When we are surprised, we don’t always throw our hands up to our faces, or gasp when we are shocked, for example, so think about more natural reactions and gestures when creating character poses. Use friends as models to get expressions and limb positions just right.
Wherever there are characters, a children’s publisher is looking for a little bit of humour, so don’t be afraid to add extra detail or funny elements. Humour appeals to all children (while subtle comedy can lend a book all-important appeal for adults, too), and can really help make your artwork stand out from the crowd. It doesn’t have to include reference to bodily functions, although – to paraphrase the great Ade Edmondson of Bottom fame – a fart is always funny…
This is the terminology for any extra elements on books that add play value, so that’s anything from flaps and sliders to pull-tabs and pop-ups! Good design teams should always provide clear die-lines and briefing notes if these elements are part of the book you are working on, but it is worth becoming familiar with how these work. Spend an hour in a local bookshop in the board book section to familiarise yourself with moving parts, or buy a few novelty books from charity shops and take them apart!
Don’t feel silly for asking your assigned designer lots of questions: they will be happy to answer anything and will be super-relieved that you asked instead of getting confused by something.
In my experience, a designer will always prefer to brief you in the way that best suits you. From the outset, do say if there is a particular way you like to work – or, if you are mid-project and struggling with the way it is being briefed, don’t feel afraid to ask for an alternative approach.
We are here for you: to support, advise, and help to develop your work – and to be your champion. If you need any assistance, would like some insider advice, or simply want us to ask a publisher something on your behalf, just let us know: that’s what we’re here for!