Please Take a look at the work of Illustrator and Cartoonist Jillian Tamaki.

Read and Discuss Jillian Tamaki, Idea Generation

In a short post discuss the article.  Consider questions like:

What are Concepts?  What methods does Jillian Tamaki use to generate hers?

What are the specific steps she takes?

Do you have other methods unique to your process?

Be POLITE!  Be sure to read each other’s observations BEFORE posting your own.

Yuko Shimizu is an award-winning Japanese illustrator based in New York City, currently teaching at the School of Visual Arts.

She is incredibly gracious in sharing processes and advice on her blog for emerging artists. Please read her post, and share your response in the chat below.

While you are at it… Read some of those other posts too! (TIP: Use the filter in the bottom right corner to sort for aspiring artists!)

This short excerpt from Yuko Shimizu‘s blog post considers the importance of developing a unique visual vocabulary. After reading this prompt, consider how you can use your sketchbook as a tool to develop your own visual vocabulary.  What are your areas of knowledge, passion, or curiosity?

“ I believe many of you who are reading my blog are aspiring illustrators. If you are, here is something you may want to remember, or to work on, if your art school instructors haven’t taught you already: we have to be remembered by something we are good at, so when a prospective client sees a topic that needs to be illustrated, they know who to call.

 

The most obvious themes prospective clients think of in connection with my work are Japanese or Chinese themes. I am Japanese, but I had also studied Cantonese for three years, and I have strong interest in Chinese culture. And people somehow see that in my work. There are other themes, like sexy girls, action and sports, comic-book look, snow, and water and underwater themes.”

What kind of things / themes are you interested in drawing?

What visuals might become important visual signatures for you?

RESPOND IN THE CHAT BELOW.