Since I've been illustrating, many people have given me valuable tips, tricks, and advice. A few of these truths have had such an impact on me, that I not only remember them, I think of them and use them every single day in my work.
Michele Warner - My first illustration teacher. I interned with Michele and her husband, James (see below), for a semester. Michele is a color genius. Some of her tips: shade white items with blue, cool colors work well for shadows, and purple is a good black substitute.
Michele still teaches me things.
James Noel Smith - James simply said, "Your darks could be darker." I know, it's not a lightning flash kind of tip, but I think of it every day, on every illustration.
Ed Beals - Edgar showed me that every illustration needs to tell a story. The funny part is that I never realized this until he said it. It makes so much sense.
Nik Scott - Nik said, "Call this one done and move on." Brilliant advice.
Ted Goff - I can't remember if Ted actually said this, but from an email exchange, I walked away with, "There's no blueprint for this (meaning an art/cartooning career). You don't have to follow a specific path."
It's great to have mentors. I hope I say something even half as meaningful to someone one day.