Monique Piscaer Bailey has recently completed the Digital Illustration Diploma and earned herself a Distinction. We asked her to share her experiences with the college.
After completing the children’s book illustration diploma, I was excited to take my art to the next level. Illustrating books manually was frustrating me. If the client wanted just one edit, I needed to redraw and paint the entire illustration again! Not only is this a waste of my precious time, but a serious financial drawback, so I signed up… It was time to move forward.
A day or two after purchasing my graphic tablet, I felt completely comfortable with it and so much so, that now my mouse feels foreign. I created an A4 chart in GIMP with a visual sample of each brush, which I printed and kept inside my laptop for easy access.
Working methodically through all the exercises I practiced a lot. I joined a digital spitpaint group on Facebook which was very overwhelming… and STILL is overwhelming. Those artists are just incredible! Anyway, they gave us a different topic everyday and you can submit your 30 min digital illustrations online.
Everyday, I set a timer and illustrated to the given topic. I didn’t always upload them, but I did practice everyday. This really helped me loosen up, get to know the programme and just let go). Lastly, I never submitted an assignment I was not proud of, if I didn’t like it, I did it again.
I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a little girl, my father and grandfather were both artists, so the imagination and creativity comes easy to me. My challenge was the technical side, painting with a digital pen couldn’t possibly feel like a brush, or could it? I wanted to find out & learn every GIMP button, tool and pull-down menu while I was under Spencer’s tuition.
Spencer has been the most incredible instructor I’ve ever had. I really mean that! He gently encouraged me when I needed it and poured on the praise when I deserved it. Spencer has an incredible sense of humour, a down to earth personality and best of all, he’s extremely knowledgable. He was quick to reply to my mails & enquiries, and is an all round nice guy.
The diploma has been one of the best things I’ve done for myself… A gift!
It never felt like work. It felt like I’d finally come home. I would recommend it to anyone who has a love of drawing and wanted to take their art to the next level.
Monique Piscaer Bailey
You can see more of her amazing work on her website http://www.artzoo.co.za/ or on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/
Monique demonstrated that introducing digital illustration can have a massive positive impact on our art, the process and our commercial opportunities. She really did throw herself into this course, and the results speak for themselves. A well earned Distinction. Well done!
Spencer Hill
