Blog roll anyone?

I have linked to all of your web sites from my web site. Now I want to add blog specific links to my blog . Right now I have the wordpress default listing. So how about it. Send me your blog links and link back to my blog in exchange. :)

Critique Rules

CRITIQUE TERMS & CONDITIONS
I liked the ones off of SCBWI's forums....I fully agree with them...but they are originally from an article by Linda Sue Park. Visit her site and read what she has to say about critiques, she's awesome at explaining critique! http://www.lindasuepark.com/writing/critique.html

The method I like best is often referred to as “the sandwich.” A commenter begins by saying something s/he likes about the piece, then goes on to point out weaknesses and finishes up with another positive comment -- ‘sandwiching’ the negative between two positives. When an artist hears something good first, s/he is more likely to be open-minded about the criticisms. And finishing with a positive point keeps the critique friendly.

Everyone should offer both positive and critical comments on the piece.

No nasty, hateful, or degrading comments. The point of critique is to build the artwork forward and upwards, if it's not constructive, then it doesn't need to be posted. Excessive use of this behavior will result in cancellation of membership to group. It's simply not tolerated.

No "I like." or "It's nice.". Think about getting deeper in describing how you read the piece. "I like this piece because....." or "This works because....". Don't forget the sandwich rule! Positive feedback, some constructive criticism, then more positive. :)

POSTING

To post up onto the blog, its like any other blog, just start a new post, add the image, give the information needed, and submit. We then review the piece through comments which appear at the bottom of the post.

Post one image at a time for review. If we place up too many images per person I have a feeling this will get way hectic and we'll all go further into craziness.

Indicate the medium and size of your work below or above your image, e.g., Acrylic on canvas. 60"x72". Also describe the project it's for. Sometimes it helps when we know the audience...especially in children's books.

All imagery should be connected and related to children's books. Absolutely no adult imagery please. We all, I'm sure, draw and paint other subject matter (I do high fantasy), but that is for another place. Our focus here is children for children.

Hello There!

For the last couple of months now I've had a desire to start an online critique group for aspiring children's book illustrators. A lot of groups are for writers/illustrators, writers, or they are all full and not looking for more illustrators. I've been invited to a couple, but feel the need to create one for other illustrators I know of who don't have a crit (slang for critique) group. Although I much appreciate the invites, and look forward to possibly becoming a member of those, to leave a fellow illustrator behind just isn't an option.

What I'm hoping for this blog to be is a way for illustrators, of all levels, to come together and lean on one another. It's competitive out there....very competitive, and it's just not possible without a support group of fellow artisans. I miss the group I had while in school. A huge rectangle table, all of us sitting around doing our homework till the wee hours of the morning, helping each other, chatting, and becoming support beams. Even in class, during the five hour long crits, I direly miss.

So it's my prayer that this group becomes a solid part of an illustrator's life, and a strategic move for their career. All of us need it, we all know it, and we all know the importance of our portfolios.

If you're interested in joining here are some guidelines, which you'll also find a link in the right hand column.

• Be a member of SCBWI
• Finished with education (currently not a student)
  
• Have a strong desire to work hard
• Understand that criticism is to help us move forward, and to never take it personally, we're talking about the work and want to help it grow. We are not judging character or the individual
  
• Join with an open mind
• Be prepared to be challenged. If it's not hard, then you're not learning
• Must participate. Critique groups do not work without feedback
  
• Understand some constructive language. We are willing to help you build that communication, but "It looks great." isn't constructive. What's great about it? Why? Those are constructive questions

These are the general guidelines, and in my mind, as a teacher and as an artist, they're guidelines we all already follow. If you know that this is something you want to be a part of, then please contact me, sara.b, and I will send you an invite to join.

God bless and be well.