Wednesday, January 13, 2010

February Postcard Finished


Last night right before bedtime I finished the illustration for my promotional postcard. Thanks everyone for confirming my personal thoughts and to my advising husband for helping last minute. :) First mail out of the year. Surprisingly enough, while playing in photoshop for layout, it wasn't nearly as hard as my postcard last year. I don't know if it's because there isn't as much pressure (Brian having a new job), or if it's what I hope it is. That I have enough faith and trust in God that I just keep doing what I'm led to do and let Him take care of the rest. A running theme this year I think. :)

I would appreciate any feedback about layout. Especially in on the back. I realized I hadn't done any illustration to take from the front and transfer to the back. So I decided on illustrating a beach like (Columbian?) girl, all the way across the ocean from where the kids on the front are from, receiving one of the loving thought letters. Placement and color was the only real issue I ran into. Couldn't decide.

What about this for the back? Just thought of it. :P

If you have thoughts, opinions, for either the front or the back, I'm all ears. I'm hoping to get these ordered tomorrow or Friday. :)

Thanks!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Terrific finished illustration!

I like the back - I think you should go more with the second one (not the purple background one) because it's lighter and less distracting than the purple. I also like how well the child on the back is drawn and that she's tied into the story with the letter. You wouldn't consider coloring the back illustration?

Anyhow - I like it - and I like that on the front your name (and illustration) are integrated in a way that doesn't distract from the illustration. The website address, however kind of distracts me - is it possible to change the color and possibly the font? I feel like the font of the website address should be closer to the loose style of the rest of it - obviously it has to be readable, but this particular font doesn't seem to fit with the illustration.

Pixiewinkle said...

Sara- It's lovely. I agree with all that Isaac has to say. I like the lighter boarder because it's less distracting. Is there any font you could use for your website address that is simple script? It seems like you put it on your postcard as an afterthought. The color is fine with me because it makes the site stand out.

Good work!

Sara Burrier said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sara Burrier said...

Thanks for the feedback you guys. I find the font situation interesting. It's the same font as the word "Illustration" just in lower case. I know the image I have up in smaller form didn't translate the font well. So I reposted the final image larger. You'll see it's not as choppy. And to be honest it wasn't an after thought, but if that's what it looks like then suggestions as to where to place it would be great. :) Under the logo it just didn't work. :/

My stationary/letterhead has two fonts Gill Sans Light and Bell MT. The scripty font is my own hand writing used just for my name. I could try Gill Sans Light, but it looks a lot like helvetica.

:)

Patti said...

I also agree with isaac. The background lighter also gives a sense of another place and that the valentine has traveled. Very cute. I also think I'd do the girl in color. Nice postcard!

Unknown said...

what about doing a hand written web address? The placement of it is fine - but the font seems out of place for some reason. What about putting it under your name and under illustration? You could stretch out the splash that the illustration is against, and have your web address in the same color rather than black.

pete said...

How about scrapping the word 'illustration' under your signature and replacing it with your website address? Just a thought...the web address feel small and hidden to me. I would make it more prominent, because that's basically where you're trying to steer them, right?

I really like the illustration! The colors and composition are really outstanding! Great job with the fading background and making the foreground characters pop! Nice job on your SCBWI magazine black and white art as well, Sara!

Unknown said...

Great job on this card. I think the back of the card looks great. Good luck with it.

Sara Burrier said...

Thank you for so much feedback. I think I know what changes I'm going to make. I'm not going to color the girl on the back because she's in b/w for a reason. I wanted to show my skills in drawing just b/w. And I will keep the word "Illustration" with my name. Its part of the logo, which is on my letterhead, biz cards, website, etc. I will work on making the web address stand out more, but I'm going to leave it where it is.

Again thanks so much!

About the Group said...

This is really beautiful.
Your color palette adds to it feeling like one of those snowy days when the sun finally came out. (Remembering too many grey days back in Ohio,now in FL.)

Hi everyone, hope you’ve had a nice start to the new year.
Anne

Pixiewinkle said...

I think the placement for the website was great- just the font needed playing with. I know that you put a lot of effort into this postcard and it shows.

Christy/Tiddly Inks Digitals said...

I am late in commenting, but I liked the web address where it was on the front. I loved that b/w vignette and the finished piece. I think it shows off all your talents. I also like the lighter background (not the purple). Overall, I love the finished postcard and it is perfect showcase for you colors, your style and it just screams, Sara.
I hope it works well.