Amanda Boucher's Portfolio

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Illustration

I'm a illustrator and designer who just graduated with a BFA in Illustration from Ringling College of Art and Design.

I take requests, but I don't always do them. If I turn you down, it's nothing personal! There are some things I just won't draw, and other times it's just bad timing. I don't do elaborate pictures unless I get carried away. (You can also always commission me to draw something more elaborate and specific and we can discuss a price.)

Anonymous said: Do you have any pictures from when you were in High School?
Also, did you have experience of Photoshop before you went to college, or did you learn there?

I had experience with Paint Shop Pro and Oekaki in high school (I used a mouse though) and I had Photoshop 5 way back when but I don’t remember using it for anything except scanning. I taught myself Photoshop CS3 Freshman year of college but they taught us how to use Photoshop and other computer programs in college. And there were always people there to ask if you had any questions.

Here’s some of my art from high school that’s on my old DeviantART account. Most of these are actually from my Junior year in high school except for the ocean one.
Colored Pencil and Marker
Ebony Pencil and Marker
Pen and Marker
Oekaki
Pen, Marker, and Watercolor.

I wish I had some examples of my better stuff like my AP Art portfolio but I don’t have them readily online. I did get a 5 on my portfolio though, so I was pretty proud of myself!

Anonymous said: I assume you've been an artist for quite some time. How has your education changed your art? From Junior high school, high school, and your experience at Ringling?

That’s a really hard question. To be honest I wasn’t serious about art until my senior year of high school. I was really interested in drama and doing stagecraft and not so much art. College was so much different than high school in the sense that more people were serious about it. I changed so much as a person and gained so many more influences I really can’t tell you how much my education changed the work because there was so much more going on it’s hard to point and say “That’s because of school.” Ringling was more learning to work with different people than actual technique for me.

Anonymous said: Hello! I'm an aspiring artist, and want to go to Ringling, which incidently is where you went. I was just wondering how I can improve my skills, because I feel unprepared. I'm entering junior year in High School and I'm concerned I won't be "good" enough. How would you recommend I improve?

Just draw draw draw! All the time! When I entered they were looking for some personal stuff, but also some life drawing as well. I can’t really give you any specifics since I haven’t seen your work, but if you keep a sketchbook and draw in it constantly you should be fine! Good luck :)

idlearth-deactivated20110818 said: Also, any tips for a budding artist?

Draw all the time! Always keep paper and a sketchbook with you.