Xi Chen the Illustrator

Xi Chen the Illustrator

@xichenillust.bsky.social

I'm a Chinese Illustrator based in US, focus on children's book illustration, MG/ YA novel art, manga and character design. Former game artist for 8 years. vgen.co/XiaoFeiArt 🎨 xichenillust.com ✨ vgen.co/XiaoFeiArt ✉️ xichenillust@gmail.com

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When seeing so many artists post their drawings showing off how much progress they've made within couple years, I was worried that since I haven't been drawing as much it would not seem that much of a difference. Now I'm glad there are some changes. #HSR #DrRatio

Found an old drawing I did several years ago. Like the dress design so I did a quick paint over. Some how it doesn't look too different so I redid the sketch. Don't know if I'm gonna finish this one. If so, it's only for the purpose to see how much I've changed in terms of taste and skill. #genshin

I started an online #manga class. It's my first time creating manga XD. The instructor assisted Japanese manga artists for years. Among classmates, many either have work online or on going in Japan. The TA is awesome. Are people interested in seeing my homework and critique later? #graphicnovel

Character design for my #YoungAdult #RomanceFantasy #GraphicNovel. Still needs to work on other details. I wanna go for a #shojomanga appeal. I know the publication industry is not so welcoming to anime art style, but if I have to draw something for 350p, better go with the style I'm happy with

Xi Chen the Illustrator reposted

Artists working in mainstream USA comics: Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, etc. all expect art to these dimensions. I'm seeing more and more disregard for the standard specs, and it affects everyone's deadlines to have production try and wrestle your art into proper proportions.

I got discouraged writing my manuscript so I shift to drawing, then I got discouraged drawing. What a creative process. I finished Howl’s Moving Castle and left so confused. Despite of the opening scene I didn’t get anything.I got furious watching Ponyo. Maybe I’m born to dislike Miyazaki. I’m wrong

I wonder what makes people wanna buy a young adult graphic novel. I used to plan to write a romance story. I shared it to some people. They told me it’s boring. So I took a screenplay writing class and redo my story. Although I only have a rough outline, it seems like an adventure action story now…

I seriously wanna start drawing my graphic novel but I get stuck on script. I took a screenplay writing class and trashed my first outline but can’t finish the second version. I also have another YAOI idea but not sure if I should do it XD. Should I just start drawing and forget about writing?

I've been thinking if I should post my anime drawing here. I LOVE anime guys, but it has nothing to do with kidlit or graphic novel? I'd like to make this account a kidlit or graphic novel related work account. But I have no intention making a new account for anime drawings. What do you guys think?

I haven't drawn anything for months. I'm too caught up with coming up with my own story and learn how to. I've been watching tutorials, reading others' books. I even turn my dusty kindle on. I don't know if I can come up with anything at all...And the cost to push it forward is kind of scary.

One thing I heard multiple times for #graphicnovel was “art is not important”. I get story is more than anything. But everyone is saying art is nothing. And there are definitely super popular comic/ manga out there that has low quality art. But does that really mean “art is nothing”? If so, why GN?

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I think art is the flesh of a GN. I know flesh is not as important as bones, but no flesh, no human. I hate people saying “art is nothing”. It’s like “people will love you if you have a kind soul” but it’s definitely more complicated than that when you are faced with real world challenges.

One thing I heard multiple times for #graphicnovel was “art is not important”. I get story is more than anything. But everyone is saying art is nothing. And there are definitely super popular comic/ manga out there that has low quality art. But does that really mean “art is nothing”? If so, why GN?

Why graphic novel instead of screenplay? because I can draw but screen writers cannot? If art is nothing, GN is always going to be a lesser media than screenplay or novels, because art is the only difference and GN limit the word count you can put on one page. But I don’t think GN is a lesser media

If you were me, will you take his class? I was browsing comic/ manga classes and found an instructor. He’s a Taiwan editor worked in Japan with famous mangakas for decades. His theory is mind blowing. BUT, in his 3 hour long trail class, 2 hours are him bragging. The 1 hour is gold. #manga #comic

His apprentices include the very early generation of big name comic artists from Taiwan. But he also had his own comic house back in the days and was involved in violation of labor law and failure to pay employees. His reputation in the industry is mixed. Seriously older than my dad XD.

If you were me, will you take his class? I was browsing comic/ manga classes and found an instructor. He’s a Taiwan editor worked in Japan with famous mangakas for decades. His theory is mind blowing. BUT, in his 3 hour long trail class, 2 hours are him bragging. The 1 hour is gold. #manga #comic

From his trail classes online, his theory literally blow my mind. But he talks like a 60 year old professor and constantly brag about his experience and how awesome the mangakas he worked with. If I take the class, it would be livestream so I can’t do 1.5 time speed play or jump the time line.

Illustrators, have you suddenly had new discoveries that can impact your drawings a lot? Then you look at your old work, it all turned into crXp. To make things worse, your old piece became viral or a client use it. And every time you see the old piece again you want to bury your head in dirt

I finally got my personal website done! Yay! xichenillust.com I feel extra professional now XD. I'm using Hostinger cuz it's one of the budget friendly options. It doesn't have some fancier functions but I'm thankful. Any suggestions? BTW, I've been quiet working on my first dummy. #kidlitart

xichenillust.comXi's Kidlit illustration portfolio | Xi Chen's PortfolioI'm Xi Chen, a Chinese artist focusing on kidlit illustration. Currently located in Morrsville, NC, US. I was a game artist for more than 8 years, working on projects that were whimsical and family-f...

Xi Chen the Illustrator reposted

Announcement! All the practical stuff in #kidlit publishing, coming up 3/16 + 3/18! Join me for a jam-packed 2-night course covering everything from book types to contracts and the publishing process—plus a chance to ask your pressing questions! More details: tinyurl.com/mtadfe5u Please repost.

Xi Chen the Illustrator reposted

🔴CALLING ALL ARTISTS🔴 Christie's NYC is planning an AI art auction expected to bring in over $600,000 to creators who've used models trained on copyrighted material from non-consenting artists. If you object to this, please sign and share this open letter. openletter.earth/cancel-the-c...

Xi Chen the Illustrator reposted

Thinking about illustrating children’s books but not sure where to start? Here are 6 ways to work as a children’s illustrator ✏️📚 #kidlit Thread:

I'm finally done with this one. Gonna work on its B&W inner illustration and spot art next. I planed this project to be a #YAFantasy cover but found out that those novel art was not what I imagined XD. So I'll just put it as #kidlitart . #kidlit #Fantasy #CoverArt

Kind #kidlit and #kidlitart community, do you know any free or paid mentorship program that offers manuscript, query letter, dummy, portfolio critique for PB, MG and YA novels? I know The Illustration Department and 12X12. I lean towards illustrator but also looking for writing improvement. Thx!

Booked a portfolio review this Friday, exited! Got to put new pieces in so it won't seem too sparce. Working on this render. I did receive feedback before that my detailed render wasn't necessary since my line drawing held enough info already. Is my render redundant? Your thoughts? #kidlitart

Still left some rendering to do. Next is to draw couple B&W illustrations like YA/ MG novels would have. I redesigned the characters and find out they look more lively when I focus on design instead of drawing them directly in a illustration. Design phase is seriously necessary. #kidlitart #kidlit

A self-publishing author suggests in her YouTube video, when looking for illustrators, ask for full-license contract with $50 per page, and even they turn in exactly what's in your mind, ask them to do revisions. I'm curious, do authors actually know how much worth of an illustrator's work? #kidlit

I forward this to my thread just to remind me the name of the book and the artist who worked on it. I always have trouble remembering names.

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Making responsible decisions at the bookstore by getting 3 more books than originally intended and then forgetting to use the gift card which was the whole reason you went oTL