First part of children's book (illustrations)

[Jundo]

Hi all,

I've spent most of my free time over the last six or seven weeks working on a children's book I wrote and illustrated 10 years ago. The illustrations where a little bit dodgy back then as I was starting out as an illustrator. So ten years later and i'm reworking the whole lot in the hope of a publication deal.

So that's why i'm ready for the fury! As any critisims here are probarbly going to be less harsh than the critisism's of an editor or a publisher.

So throw all you have at me! I can take it! And more importantly.... I need it! This project has got to be right.

Thanks for taking a look and giving some constructive feedback.

http://www.tjrossin.com/trossin.pdf

[krysta11]

Hi all,

I've spent most of my free time over the last six or seven weeks working on a children's book I wrote and illustrated 10 years ago. The illustrations where a little bit dodgy back then as I was starting out as an illustrator. So ten years later and i'm reworking the whole lot in the hope of a publication deal.

So that's why i'm ready for the fury! As any critisims here are probarbly going to be less harsh than the critisism's of an editor or a publisher.

So throw all you have at me! I can take it! And more importantly.... I need it! This project has got to be right.

Thanks for taking a look and giving some constructive feedback.

http://www.tjrossin.com/trossin.pdf

Hello Jundo,

Reading your great demands for critiques of your illustrations I was looking for a rock to throw at you But when I looked at your illustrations after reading your post I was looking for beautiful roses to throw at you.
Oh man! You are doing fantastic job as an artist, Jundo. Illustrations are fantastic! Every child will love your book for sure.

Wishing you all the best!
krysta

[pehiatt]

Definitely not dodgy, lots of character and visual interest. good job and good luck.

[Jundo]

Thanks for the kind responses... Just wish the illustration agents felt the same... six knock backs and counting so far. Just keep on plodding I guess.... Hopefully someone will take it on

[BYart]

Well, I think your work is fantastic. What child wouldn't be captivated by your colorful, imaginative, and very well executed images? I say VERY well done!
Keep trying, I'm sure you will be successful with this!

[Jundo]

It's funny how you can get citisism, sceptisism and doubt from people closest to you and yet you can get your soul lifted by near strangers... Thanks for your comments...

I'll post more pages as I get time

Jundo

[xxbreezy]

OMG!! I love it!!! Just great artwork as well as quite original!!! You did a fantastic job and think you should continue with this type of work. Awesome!!!
Linda

[oilpainter2247]

hello Jundo

you no something i find you have done a wonderful job on this ,,,,please post more when you have it .........thank you for shareing this with us

just wonderful in my eyes

have a nice day and stay safe now .mike

[bergina]

Hey Jundo,
You have a great project on the go. If you get rejected by any publisher or editor, guaranteed it will never be based on your art work as it is some of the best I have ever seen and I have seen a lot. I was a teacher for 31 years, 14 years elementary. Artistic wise, you are in a league of your own. You could forget writing and probably get a job illustrating for Disneyland or whoever. However I'm sure this would never make you happy. I would assume most authors hire at a significant expense, an illustrator to visually portray their story. I believe a great illustrator is worth his/ her weight in gold. You have the incredible skills of a very competent illustrator but also a creative writer. I realize that you only included a short excerpt of the story however I have a few questions but nothing concerning the art.
A good story should allow the reader to creatively imagine a scenario based on sometimes, very minimal but basic information. Soo, with reference to your children’s story, why is there a monster in his bathroom and why does he think he is trouble? How does his mother get into the picture and why is he (monster) chasing her? I think the story line is original and so exciting but for me, a few holes have to be filled.
Your visuals are really exceptional but you are also creating a believable exciting, scary story for maybe someone in grade P- 3
Concerning your post, what does “6 knock backs” mean? Is this 6 publishers / editors who gave you the boot? If so to bad for them.
I think you are throwing your hat into a very tough completive ring but you have a definite edge as your art work is as good or probably better than most professionals. You are also blessed with the ability as a writer; create a story which in itself is as hug artistic gift.
Regardless what else is going in your life, you have a huge reason to get up early every day and push your tallent to the fullest. You are blessed.
Can’t wait to see your next children’s book.
As I initially stated, what a great project. I have also done a bit of painting and story telling myself so I can relate to what you are doing.
All the best,
Al

[Jundo]

Thank you all so much for the kind feedback... Especially Bergina for your indepth correspondance and support. I know it has a few holes at present and I intend to address them at a later date. However it's that tough balancing act between flow of story, detail of story, and the relevant parts to illustrate that i'm sure is a source of trouble for every budding author/illustrator. Again... Thanks for the kind words of support.

I'll hopefully have the next couple of pages finished by this coming weekend so watch this space

Regards

Jundo

Tris

[arlynnhr]

Looking at your work as someone addicted to books and that loves visiting book stores, what caught my eye was the colors (that's what usually does when I flip through story books...ok, and paintings too ). This made me wonder if the cover of this book will also be colorful enough to catch the eye : Boys and girls will go for a colorful book too...most likely if they don't know how to read yet... You're a great illustrator there's no question there!

I impressed me that you're using rhymes...when I was reading through the posts I thought that your story was written in prose and it was a very nice surprise to find out it was not! You have a great talent and you reminded me of Dr. Seuz!

Keep going! Don't worry...you should read Jack Canfield's Principles of Success book. He tells you all of the hardships that he went through when he first tried to publish Chicken Soup for the Soul...now he's very famous, so just keep trying!

Remember this Japanese Proverb: If you fall down 7 times get up 8.

Lots of luck!

[Jundo]

Looking at your work as someone addicted to books and that loves visiting book stores, what caught my eye was the colors (that's what usually does when I flip through story books...ok, and paintings too ). This made me wonder if the cover of this book will also be colorful enough to catch the eye : Boys and girls will go for a colorful book too...most likely if they don't know how to read yet... You're a great illustrator there's no question there!

I impressed me that you're using rhymes...when I was reading through the posts I thought that your story was written in prose and it was a very nice surprise to find out it was not! You have a great talent and you reminded me of Dr. Seuz!

Keep going! Don't worry...you should read Jack Canfield's Principles of Success book. He tells you all of the hardships that he went through when he first tried to publish Chicken Soup for the Soul...now he's very famous, so just keep trying!

Remember this Japanese Proverb: If you fall down 7 times get up 8.

Lots of luck!

Out of all the illustrations i realise tat the cover has to stand out above them all.. It will, don't worry about that. It'll be a vi
ant, colourful mix encorporating all the key characters almost as if a photographer has been commisioned to take a photo of the leading characters in a play. So it'll show the characters and also the relationship between each other.