Photograph of illustrator, Sarah Doan, standing in front of art supply store smiling

HOWDY
My name Sarah, I am a Vietnamese-American illustrator. My art is inspired by awkward encounters, childhood memories, and the celebration of cultures. I love creating art that makes you smile and have a bit of heart to them. I live in Austin, Texas with my partner who inspires many of the smiley faces in my work.
(⑅˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈ )CONTACT
For book related inquiries, please contact
James McGowan at BookEnds Literary AgencyWrite to me [email protected]BOOKS
2024 Nari's New Friend
2024 Thinking Outside the Coop, book design
2023 Gracie Goes GolfingAWARDS
2024 SCBWI Texas Portfolio Honorable Mention
2024 SCBWI Texas Carmen Oliver On-the-Verge
2023 SCBWI Austin Creators of Diverse Worlds
2023 SCBWI Austin Emerging Voice Illustrator Mentorship

Photograph of zine with four people on a tandem bike as a baby, kid, teen, adult. Text reads "I often think of my younger self and the choices I would make and the kindness I would share with her."


Helpful Procreate resources I put together

I recorded a practice video ↑


YOUTUBEHow to Draw a Cartoon Face by Genevieve's Design Studio
Follow along tutorial, great tips + techniquesProcreate Beginner's Series by Procreate
Beginner guide playlistFormat files for Print for Children's Books by Genevieve's Design Studio
All in ProcreateProcreate 20 Top Tips
Tip: "Pressure Curve" which reduces the amount of pen pressure you need to applyProcreate for Kids by Lisa Bardot
For someone completely new to digital art

FAQHow do you setup your file for picture books?
300 DPI. Generic CMYK
This video is helpful for figuring out margins & bleeds (skip to 13:48 for calculations)Where can I download FREE brushes & paper textures?
Gumroad - select "Drawing & Painting" > popular tags select "procreate brushes" > "Maximum price" enter 0.
OR use search bar + filter "Maximum price" of 0
ProcreateFolio - Use search bar (e.g. "Free ink brush" or "Free watercolor paper texture")I have a shaky hand. Can I still use Procreate?
Yes! Motion Filtering (designed for hand tremors & accessibility) to stabilize brush strokes
Here how you can set it upWhat template do you use for your storyboard?
I made a template here
Using Procreate I drew a rectangle and duplicated until I had enough pages.


DOMESITKACreating Characters for Children's Stories with Procreate by Jimena S. Sarquiz
Solid foundation for Procreate, picture book illustrations, and storytelling.Online Portfolio for Children's Book Illustrator by Marissa Valdez
Last part of the course is in Procreate. She breaks things down and explains it in a simple way!

MISC
Color Palette CinemaSwatches of all default brushes from ProcreateRealistic digital watercolor brushesHow to Import brushesSave One PDF file from Procreate



CONTACT
Reach out if you have any questions
[email protected]