Monthly Meeting: September 2024 - Illustrator Tips and Tricks

Created October 21, 2024 by Laurent Sewell

Texas: Austin

Our September Monthly Meeting celebrated our own member illustrators, especially Laura Fisk, who has served as the Austin chapter’s Illustrator Coordinator for the past three years. As she steps down to embark on her next adventures, we thank her for her service, consistent enthusiasm and support. At the meeting, many illustrators took the mic to share their knowledge with other members. Laura called it “The Olympics of Tips and Tricks,” which included information and demonstrations regarding illustrator materials and processes. Also, we welcomed our new Illustrator Coordinator, Tiffany Shih, who supplied tips and tools she adores.

Laura Fisk, captured on Zoom, accepting the adulation of members for her service.

Meeting Highlights — Illustrator Tips and Tricks:

Use drawing books designed for children that include prompts, in order to practice your own drawing skills and to get your creative juices flowing –Laura Fisk
Use Photoshop to merge multiple artworks together, creating layers which can then be manipulated as one work; this is great for merging traditionally created art with digital art, or for merging multiple pieces of art, such as line work with painting –Laura Fisk
Midori brand paper is “the best”—smooth and light –Tiffany Shih
Jet Pens brand nibs and Higgins ink are favorites –Michelle Lambing
“For any book, when working on a final, illustrate the middle of the book first and then draw to the end. It’ll help you get to know your characters without the pressure of starting right at the beginning, and so that your drawing for both the beginning and end will be the strongest. This does mean that sometimes you’ll have to re-illustrate some of the middle, but it’s worth it!” –Christopher Jennings
See the entire handout here.

Learn more about Laura Fisk and her books here:

Laura Fisk's website

About Laura Fisk

Written By

Meredith Wilson

Author, Illustrator