AIB Illustration & Animation Blog

Rob Dunlavey Visits us @ AIB

Illustrator Rob Dunlavey stopped by AIB's Illustration Junior/Senior studio last Friday! He gave a great talk, and showed off his process! Check it out :

For More of Rob's Work Check out his :

PORTFOLIO

BLOG

FLICKR

POINTY PEOPLE

 

AIB Student Interview with Illustrator Rob Dunlavey

Rob Dunlavey (with paper sculpture)

Web Promotion for Illustrators asks students to connect with creative profesionals through student interviews to learn what it takes to be a profesional Illustrator working in todays various markets. Julia Walters, one of AIB's own Illustration/ Fine arts undergrads reached out to one of her favorite illustrators, Rob Dunlavey. 

Dunlavey's interests and accomplishments are in the fields of: Children's book illustration, Editorial illustration, Educational illustrations (for Museums), as well as advertising and book illustration! Rob was nice enough to share some of his expertise in the world of self promotion, check out what he has to share!

1. What was your first job and how did you find it? Was it paid, or did it lead to other paying jobs?

My first jobs as a free-lance illustrator were for the Christian Science Monitor whose offices are in Boston. I walked in the front door, with my portfolio and announced my desire to see an editor. I knew that they published an international newspaper that was widely respected. Of course the job was paid and it led to many more assignments over a period of years. I feel loyal and nostalgic about the Monitor. They are still publishing but I think the years have not been easy on small newspapers (that have no advertising!).

2. How much are you willing to cater your style to fit a client's demands?

I think my style is pretty set and we're always in agreement about that. I am usually very willing to dialog with the client about the content and editorial concept of the illustration.

"Riffii et Azimut" 2010 for "Les Belles HISTOIRES" Bayard Presse, Paris FR

("Les Belles HISTOIRES" - a magazine for children)

 3. How do you deal with client rejection?

Sometimes you wish they would just reject the project rather than getting the shoe to fit "no matter what". It doesn't happen too much and is often the result of some breakdown along the way or a misunderstood chain of command. But, it's all business. Some things work great and others don't. You do need to assume (or agree beforehand) that there is compensation in place in the form of kill fees based on how much of the assignment you have completed. Yes, sketches, even rejected ones should be paid for.

 4. Do you find any websites more "profitable" than others, by volume of sales or commissioning of work?

Not really. I'm not part of any paid portfolio sites. I've made profitable relationships through work I've posted on drawger, illustrationmundo, flickr and facebook. The volume is not great nor is it consistent.

 5. How else do you promote yourself (maybe mailings, promotional items, paid advertisements, etc.)?

I post many images on-line (at my peril I think --but that's another discussion). I do several postcard mailings a year and a few other targeted mailings (I make a special calendar that people collect). I often send specific work to specific people. It's very personal. It's my attempt to keep them in the loop; just passing something in front of their eyes. Often, there is no immediate response; it's a form of tending one's garden of contacts and being proactive. I try to enter competitions. I've found purchased mailing lists to not be so useful as they once were, but I use them once or twice a year.

"Riffii et Azimut" 2010 for "Les Belles HISTOIRES" Bayard Presse, Paris FR

6. How often do you submit work to galleries or participate in call for entries?

As often as I can. 3-4/year. I wish I could do more.

7. How do you determine the sale price for your artwork? Originals vs.prints?

This is a tough call. Family members say I charge too much. Colleagues say, and my research shows, that my prices are reasonable. But this is all DIY entrepreneurship (Etsy, etc.). A gallery or rep situation would probably increase and stabilize the rates.

8. How do you retain copyright when negotiating with clients?

It's all in the contracts: For editorial: first magazine rights and various forms of "electronic" rights. The picture in book publishing is a bit murky with publishers attempting to set a minimum compensation for electronic forms of books. I retain all rights to any original art that I sell. And in general, I assume ownership of ALL rights and refuse to enter into any situation where my ownership is assumed by the client.

9. What is something you wish you had known when you first became a professional artist, or general advice for those starting?

Don't be afraid to embrace the fact that Art or Illustration is an actual career and that regardless of the practicality of your work, it's of value to people and other businesses. That's how our economic system works. The more joyous, honest and inspired you are, the more people will know about and value your work.

personal work (from sketchbook) watercolor, charcoal

A special thanks to Rob and Julia for sharing swith all of us here at AIB!

To view More information and work, check out Robs online galleries:

Website: http://www.robd.com/

Flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/robdunlavey

Store : http://www.etsy.com/shop/robdunlavey

And for More of Julias work, check out her online portfolio:

http://www.wix.com/juliawalters/illustration

Tim Finn's Interview with Somerville Community Access!

Rachel Strutt of Somerville Community Access (SCATV)  and the Somerville Arts Council interveiws AIB's very own Tim Finn, as well as: cartoonist Liz Prince, and children's book author Jef Czekaj! During the episode of "Culture Club", Tims new comic store, Hub Comics, is discussed, as well as Tim's new book, featurinng G.I Joe.

  

Check it out!- the end of the video also features the three artists collaborative "jam" comic that they started during the interveiw. 

For more info on Tim's "A Real American Book!" - check out the Blog

Also, be sure to check out Tim's website for updates!

                

For more info on cartoonist Liz Prince and children's book author Jef Czekaj, check out the links below!

Liz Prince: http://lizprincepower.com/

Jef Czekaj:  http://www.czekaj.com/

3x3 CHILDREN'S SHOW NO. 8

3x3 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S SHOW NO. 8

DEADLINE: APRIL 22, 2011

3x3 Magazine is now accepting entries for the 2011 Children's Show. More than just children's books. More than just children's books published in the United States. The competition includes anything and everything related to reaching children under the age of 12 as well as a specific category for young adults. Published and unpublished. And it's international—entries are accepted from every country and as always judged by a distinguished panel of judges. Winners will be featured in our 3x3 Illustration Annual No. 8 which will be distributed internationally at leading bookstores and newsstands. [via 3x3mag.com]

Click here to enter now!

Click here to see the complete list of 2010 Children's Show winners.

@AIB Library: Mirrormask, The Illustrated Film Script

The illustrated film script of Mirrormask is avaible @AIB Llibrary: Call Number: PN1997.2 .M55 2005

Countdown to Mice!

Mark your calenders – MICE is coming to AIB!
Click here for more event information.

The Sketchbook Project 2011 Tour

"It's like a concert tour but with sketchbooks."

It's back and this time it is bigger and crazier than ever, The Art House Co-op presents The Sketchbook project 2011 tour. Check out all the new features and signup to get your book! Anyone - from anywhere in the world - can be a part of the project.

Thousands of sketchbooks will be exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the country. After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view."A sketchbook is a place to put your heart and soul. Let it out into the wild; we’ll keep you connected"

• Sign up by: Oct. 31st, 2010
• Postmark book by: January 15th, 2011
• Tour starts: March, 2011
• More info here

 

 

MICE : A new indy comics show!

The Boston Comics Roundtable and The Art Institute Of Boston
present The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo

 

The FIRST show in Boston dedicated to independent, alternative, small-press and self-published comics, web comics and 'zines.

 At MICE, comic artists, writers and readers will come together and celebrate the fun and exciting comics emerging from Boston’s thriving indy comics scene. Look for workshops and panels on comics art and plenty of great stuff to read and buy!

Susan LeVan, Illustration Department Chair at the Art Institute of Boston, says that hosting an indy comics show complements the school’s comics-friendly curriculum.

“MICE is the perfect event for AIB ,”  says LeVan. “Many of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff are involved in the production or study of independent comics, graphic novels, webcomics, 'zines, artists' books, and related genres – all of which are part of the AIB curriculum. A number will participate as exhibitors, and the whole AIB community is eager to see what's new on the Boston scene.”
 

MICE features the debut of the latest anthology from the Boston Comics Roundtable: “Inbound #5: Comics About Food.”  Featuring over 40 stories by Boston and New England cartoonists centered around the wide-ranging theme of “food,” this is the follow-up to 2009's successful “Inbound #4: A Comic Book History of Boston,” which will also be available at the show.      

MICE will also offer interactive workshops to learn techniques from comics artists, and panel discussions on the world of independent comics.

Among the Boston-area comics artist exhibiting at MICE will be:

Liz Prince   (Will You Still Love Me if I Wet the Bed, I Swallowed the Key to My Heart)
Karl Stevens (Whatever, The Lodger)
Maris Wicks  (Romantic, Project Superior)
Joe Quinones (Wednesday Comics, Teen Titans Go!)
Jesse Lonergan (Joe and Azat, Flower & Fade)
Cathy Leamy (Geraniums and Bacon, Greenblooded)
Dirk Tiede (Paradigm Shift)
Tim Fish (Cavalcade of Boys, Trust/Truth)
Zack Giallongo (The Tenth Life of Pishio the Cat)
Shelli Paroline (Muppet Snow White, Harvest is When I Need You Most)       

Be there from 10am — 6pm on Saturday, September 25th at the Art Institute of Boston, 700 Beacon Street, Kenmore Square! click here for the map

See you there Mighty MICE!

Rifrakt Book Launch: 25 Emerging Boston Artists 2010

Rifrakt presents "25 Emerging Boston Artists 2010"

25 Emerging Boston Artists 2010 features 25 artists ranging in medium and process, residing throughout the metro Boston area. Each artist was giving a two page spread featuring their artwork and statement. The book will be available to order online here, as well as local bookstores to be listed on our website in the near future.

RIFRAKT's 25 Emerging Boston Artists;

Valerie Arruda '10          Carolyn Hulbert
Fiona Boyd                  Vanessa Irzyk
Jessica Brilli                Marco Jimenez
Alexandra Carter '06       Scott Listfield
Corey Corcoran            Rachel Mello
Leah Cunningham         Aaron Morris
Barbara Geoghegan       Nathaniel Price
Stephanie Goodman      Jennifer Reich
Todd Goodman             Nora Richardson
Luba Grenader              Anna Rochinski
Maggie Hennessy           Alee Strickland
Amy Hitchcock               Patricia Sarrafian Ward
Brandy Wolfe

Freshwater Fish of the Northeast

Illustrated by Matt Patterson, written by David A. Patterson.

Illustrator Matt Patterson '06 has a new book coming out this spring, titled Freshwater Fish of the Northeast, a vividly illustrated guide to more than 60 freshwater fish from the ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams of New England and New York

Most anglers are well aware of the popular game fish that inhabit the Northeast, including the largemouth bass, the rainbow trout, and the yellow perch. But the region’s inland waters boast a much broader array of fish than first meets the eye (or hook). Click here for full description.

”Part field guide and part fish appreciation book, Freshwater Fish of the Northeast is an enjoyable way of getting to know the region's aquatic life. Naturalists will especially appreciate the beautiful illustrations that will captivate even those who prefer their fish to come only from the market.”  —Todd McLeish, author of Basking with Humpbacks: Tracking Threatened Marine Life in New England Waters