Let me start with the definitions of the words "character" and "development."

According to Webster's Dictionary, a "character" is a "complex of mental and ethical traits marking a person," or "a distinguishing feature." In the context of a book, it is the story character's unique attributes that make a personality sing to the reader. The dictionary definitions for "development" are "to unfold gradually or in detail," and my favorite, "to go through a natural process of growth and differentiations - evolve." This is what we on the buying end want to SEE in children's books and in the artists' portfolio.

I like to think of character development in art, then, as the artist showing a unique individual's growth and change in reaction to story-line events, and over a period of time.

In other words, we see the person, animal or thing evolve during the picture book experience.

So what does this mean to the artist? Editors, art directors, reps, and the buying public want to SEE as well as read about interesting characters that they can identify and sympathize with, and with whom they can experience events. Then, once introduced, we want to see characters grow in response to the story, and understand how the unfolding events affect the characters.

The visual of this development can be shown in two or three sequential scenes. No actual manuscript or existing story is needed. As with most pieces done for style promotion, the artist imagines a scene with characters that interest the artist. But now, concentrating on character development, the artist should take that memorable image and show what has come before, or what will happen after, in another couple of images or vignettes. If art assigners only see one image they don't know for sure if the artist can produce that SAME character again. Will it look right in the next image with a new emotion and interaction? Will the artists be consistent and solid in their characterization, palette and story pacing? Are the artists able to be as strong in drawing, color, and composition beyond the one piece?

Instead of leaving us wondering, why not show us! Let the art do the talking . . . always! Do one or two more finishes of sequential pieces taking off from your presentation piece. SHOW these extra pieces with the main piece on a full sheet, or as an extra on the back side of a large postcard. Show the characters further developed and the story line moving ahead a bit. Give us the confidence that you CAN in fact do this visually. Don't make art buyers ask . . . we might not! If this ability is clear in each and every promotional piece you send, we will KNOW you can develop a character and a story. Assuming your drawing, color and composition is to our liking and meets our current needs, you are MUCH more likely to hear from us, and maybe even land an assignment from your mailings.