Resources for Illustrators
Dr. Jessica Boehman
Professional Societies and foundations
The Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators
This organization is a great regional and national society that helps promote the work of writers and illustrators of picture books, middle grade, and YA novels. Local meetings are a great way to meet others like you, and regional and national conferences are great places for workshops, portfolio reviews, and networking. Their annual publication, The Book, has up-to-date resources for publishing and pitching to agents.
The Author’s Guild Foundation (NYC)
Once you are published, joining this foundation will give you access to free legal advice for contracts and publishing issues.
open access books and podcasts
Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics
Scott McCloud Podcast on 99% Invisible
Stan Lee, How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way
Betty Edwards, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Edward George Lutz, What to Draw and How to Draw It (1913)
Comics Resources
Strip Panel Naked: Deconstructing the Art and Design of Comic Book Layouts
LaGuardia Comic Books and Graphic Novels
HOW TO CREATE A LEGEND (Dave Cockrum’s designs for the X-Men)
The Columbia Graphic Novels Archives
NPR: Cartoonists Tell Us: What Do Comics Mean to You?
Gene Luen Yang, Why Do Comics Matter?
Illustration museums
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art (Brandywine River School Illustrators and the Wyeths)
National Museum of American Illustration
Technical resources
72 Tips for Sharing your Art on Social Media
Art websites that benefit illustrators
Gurney Journey–the best of the best, the site of illustrator James Gurney
Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast (Archive)–interviews with illustrators
Stan Prokopenko (best anatomy YouTube channel)
The business of art
Query Manager–follow your queries to agents
Query Tracker–another, easy-to-use site for tracking agent queries
Copyright Registration Law and Your Art
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Copyright Law Books (for Purchase)
Common Artist Legal Problems and How to Avoid Them
Artsy Shark: Business Strategies for Artists
Start an Email Marketing Campaign for your Art
