Lessons Learned and Silver Linings: My Little Hare Illustration Competition Journey
Hello fellow creatives and art enthusiasts! Today, I want to share a bit about my recent experience entering the Little Hare Illustration Competition, an exciting opportunity that invited entrants to bring ‘The Everyday Tutu’ by Andrea Rowe to life. While I may not have been shortlisted, the journey was incredibly enriching, and I'm here to tell you why I'm still glad I took the plunge.
The prize, a publishing contract, advance against royalties, and comprehensive art direction, was undoubtedly a dream for any aspiring illustrator. The text, sourced from Andrea Rowe, was a beautiful narrative that resonated with me, particularly as a dedicated tutu enthusiast from childhood to occasional adulthood. I am a huge fan of Andrea Rowe, so the idea of illustrating one of her books is a dream come true.
My primary goal was to capture movement in my submission. I envisioned wild, curly hair swirling around the character as she danced in her tutu.
This process marked the first time I navigated the intricate steps of interpreting someone else's text, developing a compelling character, experimenting with compositions, and finally, refining roughs into final artwork. The growth I experienced as an illustrator throughout was invaluable.
Though the news of not making the shortlist was disappointing, I congratulate the talented artists who did. The silver lining lies in the wealth of knowledge I gained during the submission process.
While I believe the core of my entry was strong, I can see many areas for improvement, especially in the execution of the final artwork spread. Given more time, I would have aimed for greater contrast and more saturated colours, possibly even exploring acrylic paint for added dynamism.
Despite these reflections, I remain proud of my submission. As the saying goes, "you have to be in it to win it," and the competition served as a stepping stone for personal and professional growth. Additionally, I've now added some polished pieces to my portfolio, a testament to the hard work and dedication poured into the competition.
Looking ahead, I'm excited to apply these lessons and skills to my next endeavour – hopefully illustrating my first traditionally published children's picture book in the near future.
The journey doesn't end here, and with a newfound sense of pride and determination, I'm ready to submit my illustration portfolio and embark on the next chapter of my artistic adventure. Here's to the lessons learned, the silver linings discovered, and the exciting future that awaits!
If you entered the competition I would love to see how you interpreted the text and what your illustrations looked like. I think that it will be so interesting to see how other people approached the same story. Feel free to DM me on my socials or send me an email at katemarielewisart@gmail.com