Robyn Skaley

A colorful cartoon illustration of a woman with curly dark hair, wearing a purple top, holding up three paintbrushes. The background is bright yellow. Below the illustration, bold text reads: "Freelance Illustrators Promotion SURVEY RESULTS" with "SURVEY RESULTS" in large purple letters. The image is signed "D. Ohi," and credits Debbie Ridpath Ohi with her website, DebbieOhi.com.

Thanks again to those who answered my #IndustryPolls earlier this year! As promised, here's Part 1 of the results: How Freelance Illustrators Find Work -
debbieohi.com/2025/03/surv...
#KidLit #KidLitArtists

Canada is blessed with more than a dozen great independent children’s book publishers. And I'm proud to be part of the @orcabook.bsky.social pod. Here's how to support all Canadian children's book publishers and creators.
#Cankidlit #CanadaStrong

Hi #kidlitartpostcard and happy #worldbookday!

I’m an illustrator, artist and art educator from Canada. I paint humorous and playful scenes with painterly texture and sweet details.

Currently looking for rep and #kidlitart projects. Art directors & editors, find my portfolio: www.robynskaley.com

Reposting this guide from twitter because I COOKED here. (and still refer to this at work even now!)

It’s time for another art vs artist!
So interesting to go back and look at my favourite work from the past year. 2024 was definitely a year of artistic growth!

#artvsartist #picturebookillustration #childrensbookillustration #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration #handlettering #yeg

I frequently meet illustrators who say, I’m a visual person, I have ADHD, I’ve never been a reader, and I never will be, it’s not for me.

FWIW I’m a visual person with ADHD who didn’t self-identify as a reader who now reads voraciously.

Here’s a short 🧵 on why and how…

1/7

Today I'm starting work on the sequel to Wolf Road, which means I get to spend a month or two away from digital drawing, getting covered in charcoal muck.

Covers are special challenge. They have to both stand out (differentiated from what's out there) and fit in (market fit). They have to represent the story at a glance, and also be the face of an object a reader may own for decades. Central character large + making eye contact with the reader works.

Here’s some cool stuff you can do with Bluesky It’s not just an Alf pics repository.

New to Bluesky? Or like me and been here for a while but still don’t really know what you can do in this place?

“Here’s some cool stuff you can do with Bluesky. The social network has some unique and fun features to try.” Via @theverge.com www.theverge.com/24295933/blu...

Thanks so much, Sheree! 😊

Hi #kidlitartpostcard! I’m an illustrator and art educator, and I love playful detail. Looking for representation. Agents, art directors and publishers, I’d love to work with you! #kidlitart #picturebooks

🌼 Portfolio: www.robynskaley.com
🌼 Insta: www.instagram.com/@robynskaleyart

Thanks so much!😊

Hi #KidLitArtPostcard ! I’m Robyn, an artist, illustrator and art educator. I’m currently looking for representation- agents, Art directors and publishers, I’d love to work with you! #kidlitart #picturebook

🌼 Portfolio: robynskaley.com
🌼 Insta: instagram.com/@robynskaleyart

Hi #portfolioday! I’m Robyn, a #kidlit illustrator working in gouache, acrylic and digital media. Looking for picture bk, board bk, covers, MG, handlettering.
🌸portfolio robynskaley.com
🌸insta: instagram.com/@robynskaleyart

#Illustration #kidlitart

It’s #kidlitartpostcard! Hi art directors, agents, and publishers. I’m Robyn Skaley, an illustrator who creates colorful, quirky art for picture books, board books, bk covers, MG.

🌸portfolio redpoppyconsulting.com
🌸insta: instagram.com/@robynskaleyart

#Illustration #kidlitart

Hi #kidlitartpostcard! I’m Robyn Skaley, and I love illustrating cheerful, whimsical vibrant characters.

My portfolio redpoppyconsulting.com and instagram.com/@robynskaleyart

#Illustration #illustrator #childrensbookillustration #kidlit #picturebookart

Hi #kidlitartpostcard! I’m Robyn, an illustrator & art educator. My mixed media #kidlitart is quirky, colourful, and playfully detailed. I work in gouache, acrylic, pastel & Procreate.

🌼Portfolio redpoppyconsulting.com
🌼Insta: instagram.com/@robynskaleyart

#kidlit #illustration #childrensbooks

Hi #kidlitartpostcard! I’m Robyn Skaley, and I love illustrating cheerful, whimsical vibrant characters with lots of hidden details.

#Illustration #illustrator #ChildrensBooks #kidlitart #picturebookart #picturebooks

My portfolio:
🌷www.redpoppyconsulting.com
🌷www.instagram.com/@robynskaleyart

Character design for Erin and the Midsummer Bear picture book

I recently took the amazing Illustrated Children’s Books from @zoe_tucker and @lillarogers . 5 weeks of daily drawing, sketching, and painting our characters.  I challenged myself to paint as much as I could in gouache before scanning & adding details in Procreate. #matsicb #kidlitart #picturebk

Illustration of long-haired girl in red clock on flower-filled green hillside, looking up into the blue sky. In the sky, we see a few fluffy clouds along with some white skywriting that spellings the word "bluesky."

Do you know a kidlit/YA person new to Bluesky? Here are starting resources that might help, pls see full thread 👇🏼

My take on social media
Quick tips + templates
My Bluesky how-to videos
KidLit Authors & Illustrators On Bluesky
Kate Messner's KidLit Community list

cont'd

Kidlit Community on Bluesky Social This is a list of authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, bloggers, publishing professionals, and other people who make and/or love books for young readers.

The Bluesky #kidlit community is growing!

Here's a list of authors, illustrators, educators, librarians, and publishing professionals to follow: https://shorturl.at/AKLST

And here's how to add yourself to the list: https://forms.gle/78Cz3ETu4xo4qsNdA

Yes, second time for me! Really excited about it, but starting a bit late. Just trying to dig into the text today. 🍄

Hi Lele! Yes indeed! Are you taking the Illustrating Children’s Book class this month?

Teachers call for mandatory storytime in primary schools as HarperCollins study reveals benefits New research from HarperCollins has found that storytime in primary schools can improve childrens’ reading age by 13 months, with the majority of teachers who took part in the study calling for it t...

Now here's a study that I like!

"Storytime ... has an astonishingly positive effect on children’s motivation to read, reading and comprehension attainment and wellbeing.”

www.thebookseller.com/news/teacher...

Hi #PortfolioDay ! I’m Robyn Skaley, a Canadian illustrator, painter and art educator. I love creating bright, cheerful quirky characters with painterly texture and detail.

🌼Visit my website: redpoppyconsulting.com

#kidlitart #illustration #portfolioday2023 #kidlit

Some cheerful sunny friends on the easel! Excited by the beginnings of this new large piece, inspired by the sunflower field I walked in this summer. These will get lighter and brighter as I map in the values.
.
#wip #sunflowers #floralart #acrylicpainting #acrylic #cdnart #abart #yeg #yegart

On a blue background, we see two stylized flat profiles of people. The one on the left is saying "Bluesky Community Poll." The one on the right: "To see replies, including replies from people you don't follow, make sure you check Settings > Home Feed Prefs.

Not sure how to start connecting with others here on Bluesky? Here are some of my recent #CommunityPolls, open to all. Feel free to jump in & reply to any / Like comments / reshare etc.


Cat emotions

Comfort books

Books that make you cry/laugh

Reading habits

cont'd

Studio vibes from the other morning. Sunflowers for dayssss.🌻

#wip #sunflowers #floralart #acrylicpainting #acrylic #canadianartist #canadianart #albertaartist #abart #yeg #yegart #yegarts

Hi #kidlitartpostcard! I’m Robyn, an illustrator & art educator. My mixed media #kidlitart is quirky, colourful, and playfully detailed. I work in gouache, acrylic, pastel & Procreate.

🌼Portfolio redpoppyconsulting.com
🌼Insta: instagram.com/@robynskaleyart

#kidlit #illustration #childrensbooks