[Sticky] Illustrators of the Future Coordinating Judge Echo Chernik AMA Saturday, August 9, 2025

Posted by: @johngoodwin

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Do you have any do's and don'ts regarding art direction? Do I stick to my guns or listen to the art director??

Working with an art director is working on a *team*.  The art director is directing the project in a very particular way and for very particular reasons. There are good art directors and bad ones - but the main thing to remember is to communicate. If you disagree with the art director, then be sure to *ask* the art director what their reasoning is. Why are they directing you in the way that they are?  Once you understand what they are trying to achieve, and you are both on the same page - the project should be a success.  Never be afraid to ask for clarification from the art director - they are there to help you create the best art possible!

 

Posted by: @tremani

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What variety of subject, skill, media, ect would you recommend an illustrator showcase when submitting to the contest or for their illustration portfolio? Is it better to show your proficiency in one media and subject, or show more variety in your work?

Send your strongest pieces in the style that you feel reflects your voice.  Trying to conform to fads or what you think I want to see is the wrong way to approach your career.  If you create what you love, in the way that you love to create - other people (including myself) will see that in your work. THAT is what I'm looking for.

 

Hello, thanks very much for doing this!

I’m a writer but I also love to make art in various forms and I want to learn more in the area of illustration. I was wondering what would you look for in illustrating a book cover, or for example the cover of a short story? After reading and getting familiar with the story, what would one pick out as options to illustrate to best relay the communication of the book? 

I have gathered from some various podcasts and interviews that maybe a key scene, or a collection of main concepts could be something you'd use? Could you please give some examples or maybe recommend some things to look for? I would like to understand it better both from the viewpoint of illustrating stories myself at one point and to know what to think about when someone else is illustrating a cover. Thank you again!

Do you have any advise for balancing creative expression with the commercial needs of an illustration? Do you have any recommendations for managing a deadline if you are working on a new subject, style, or media for the project?

@johngoodwin I've been debating whether or not to sign my prints on the artwork or not...I'm not sure of the best policy on that.

Hi, I wanted to ask, I have a patreon now and I was wondering what are some must-haves for something like that? Thanks.

@clfors We can see if Echo has an opinion. But it was very successful with Frazetta and I have seen others do it as a gradient in cost from print to signied print and to original. That goes back to Echo's earlier comment about rights.

Posted by: @patricia-a

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Hello, thanks very much for doing this!

I’m a writer but I also love to make art in various forms and I want to learn more in the area of illustration. I was wondering what would you look for in illustrating a book cover, or for example the cover of a short story? After reading and getting familiar with the story, what would one pick out as options to illustrate to best relay the communication of the book? 

I have gathered from some various podcasts and interviews that maybe a key scene, or a collection of main concepts could be something you'd use? Could you please give some examples or maybe recommend some things to look for? I would like to understand it better both from the viewpoint of illustrating stories myself at one point and to know what to think about when someone else is illustrating a cover. Thank you again!

The cover needs to grab the attention of the consumer - without giving away the story.  It should be enticing, interesting and captivating. Maybe it's simple, maybe it's complex.  But it shouldn't give the story away.  The details should be accurate to the story, but not to the detriment of the appeal of the cover - what I mean by this is, writers often want to tell the ENTIRE STORY on the cover - when, you really might need to show an appealing seductive glance, or a falling, shattering glass of wine with a ring falling out of it -   The character should look correct (if they're blonde in the book they should be blonde on the cover), but you don't need to show the entire character - maybe just part of their face.  Remember that the cover gets them to PICK UP the book. The WRITING keeps them there.     Illustration and writing, while both art forms, are specialized.  Artists take time to learn composition, symbolism, how to tell a story without telling too much or too little - color theory, etc.  Writers use a completely different skillset.  I also highly suggest to writers - TRUST your illustrator.  As skilled as you are at writing, THEY are at their craft.  Give them ideas, but not too much, or you will smother their ability to give you their best work.  This is why authors are often prohibited from working with illustrators - the art director often serves as the intermediary, ensuring the art flow goes smoothly.

 

Posted by: @cam999

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Hi, I wanted to ask, I have a patreon now and I was wondering what are some must-haves for something like that? Thanks.

Patreon is amazing.  Back in the days of Rembrandt, artists could sit around and paint all day because they had someone (a Patron) paying their bills, allowing them to do that. Nowadays, it's really rare to have one person pay for all of an artists needs - so by using a crowdfunding platform such as Patreon, it achieves the same end.     Some people run their Patreons with many monthly rewards and uploads, and others keep it looser.  Look at several artists reward systems and set yours up the way you feel is comfortable for you. Mine is much looser - I don't like the stress of having to upload too regularly, as my commercial work schedule often gets in the way.  So, be sure to set something up that doesn't stress you out, so that you don't burn out.

 

@echochernik This is great and very helpful data, thank you so much!

Could you go over more in-depth about what it means for an illustration to tell a story as opposed to just being simply beautiful? 

Posted by: @tremani

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Do you have any advise for balancing creative expression with the commercial needs of an illustration? Do you have any recommendations for managing a deadline if you are working on a new subject, style, or media for the project?

I love being an illustrator. A big part of illustration is the *assignment* and the limitations that come with that.  This sometimes means you don't get to have creative expression. Sometimes you are just drawing a banana wearing a sneaker - or something like that.  In that case, you do your best, and take your paycheck.  Other illustrations really let you delve into your personal style, they're all different.  If you are struggling with the style or media, and it's threatening your deadline, just communicate with the client - always communicate.  The deadline usually has some wiggle room, but sometimes not. In that case, you might need to simplify your illustration to get it done in time in a perfect manner.

 

Posted by: @breanda-petsch

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Could you go over more in-depth about what it means for an illustration to tell a story as opposed to just being simply beautiful? 

An illustration specifically tells a story.  Sometimes it's a simple story, sometimes it's complex.  A fine art piece, or a painting of a still life, portrait or landscape, without any context is more... fine art and less illustration. There's nothing wrong with it, and sometimes mood art is part of illustration, but when it comes to choosing who will be going to the next level, I look for a story.

 

Posted by: @clfors

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@johngoodwin I've been debating whether or not to sign my prints on the artwork or not...I'm not sure of the best policy on that.

That is up to you. I sign my prints.  Often I sign them at shows as an incentive for people to purchase them. Not everyone wants them signed, however.  So you could always sign them on request.  It lets you have an intimate experience with the consumer - which they appreciate.  Your fans are living vicariously through you, and so having you sign the art in front of them ties them more to it's acquisition, in my opinion, and they treasure it more.

 

Echo, thank you so much for your time and everything that you do for aspiring illustrators!

Posted by: @breanda-petsch

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Echo, thank you so much for your time and everything that you do for aspiring illustrators!

Happy to be here! Always happy to answer questions!!!!

 

 

Thank you very much Echo. This was a great first AMA and it will only grow from here! 

Your art at shows has a very cohesive style, and even the panels and accessories you use to set up and display your art coordinate with the style and content of your work. Was this a deliberate choice for style and branding of your work? 

@echochernik Thank you! This is so helpful!!

Thank you so much for doing this AMA Echo!