One-to-One Illustration Mentoring
- Option 1
90 minute portfolio review offering constructive feedback on your work and practical advice on how to build and prepare your illustration portfolio so that it’s ready for publisher and/or agent submission.
$120
- Option 2
4 x 90 minute portfolio building sessions. In these sessions we will look at developing your personal style, the type of work you should be including in your portfolio, the (potentially anxiety inducing) process of culling pieces so that only your very best work is being put forward, as well as focusing on your illustrative strengths and how to push those strengths further to build and prepare your illustration portfolio, ready for publisher and/or agent submission.
$450
- Option 3
Pick my brains!
45 minute in person, zoom or phone session, where you can ask me anything you’d like to know about childrens book illustration, childrens book publishing, submitting portfolios and manuscripts or just the general business of being a childrens book creator. Portfolios will not be looked at in this session.
$75
A little about me…
I completed a BA in Design at Curtin University where I majored in Illustration and Graphic Design. In my final year I won the Graduate Illustration Portfolio Award. After a couple of years travelling I returned to Perth and kicked off my design career which eventually lead me down the path of freelance illustration and childrens book publishing – my very own yellow brick road to what I feel is my land of Oz!
In the last ten or so years I have written and illustrated six picture books, illustrated and/or designed over a dozen middle grade book covers and illustrated everything from chapter books to educational books to colouring books and beyond for publishers all over the world.
I was the Regional Advisor for The Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Australia West region, for several years and in that time planned many, many (!) events where aspiring writers and illustrators could meet with creative peers, form critique groups, take time out for illustration and writing retreats, mix, mingle and meet publishers, talk to editors and in general, help take some of the the fear out of stepping into the world of childrens book publishing. I have also attended the SCBWI Winter conference in New York City twice (2019 and 2023) where I listened to, and learnt from, some of the biggest names in childrens publishing.
In 2023 I stepped down as SCBWI Australia West’s Regional Advisor but not out of the organisation completely. I am currently the Asisstant Regional Advisor to two very incredible new RA’s.
In 2023 I was invited to attend the Bolgna Childrens Book Fair as part of the APA Australian Creators table (alongside Alison Lester, Jane Goodwin, Anna Walker, Isobelle Carmody and others) where I saw first hand, the jaw-dropping and inspiring childrens book illustration being created worldwide.
Since 2017 I have been on the judging panel for the annual Shaun Tan Award for Young Artists and in 2023 I joined the Board of The Literature Centre in Fremantle.
My books have been notables and shortlisted for a number of awards including two shortlistings for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Award and in 2018 my picture book The Hole Story won the Writing for Children category.
At the moment I am unagented but have previously been signed with two international illustration agents, The Bright Agency and Illustration X.
What I’m saying is, I think I have the skills, experience and knowledge to help you get your illustration portfolio to the best possible place it can go so, let’s chat!
kellycanby.com 