I can't say I have a career, the first jobs I ever did was a couple of commission Portraits for a highschool classmate, and the economy make it hard to charge higher that I would had like and my experience drawing people was very low and very awful (by my standards), and the only other jobs I did was for a store that make bed sheets with famous characters, but it was only a try period that lasted 2 weeks and I didn't make it, and it was like 3 years ago. So yeah, my career hasn't started and with my arm and hand problems I don't see it starting soon
My story: After art college, I didn't know what the hell to do with my professional life and life in general, ground zero at that point. I always liked drawing characters and concept art so I tried applying to the few game developer studios here in Romania, but at that time, there weren't many. I got rejected, I was bummed out about it and for for two years, the only bit of work I did was a few projects on freelance websites but those sucked because of the whole website system you had to go through just to have a chance to land a job. It was an auction type deal, artists were making really cheap bids to increase their chances of getting the project, the website cuts were big and overall a bad place to start out and work, at least for me. Most projects were really boring too so for two years the insignificant amount of work that I did (logos and other graphic design stuff), I didn't enjoy, my drawing was getting rusty and I was in a ditch spending way too much time with video games and my whole world upside down because I couldn't sustain myself financially. Winter came, I wasn't feeling good about the whole situation and I decided I was going to try and make just a few digital pieces, something fun to work on and to upload on one or two portfolio websites. So for just a few weeks, I kept drawing on my wacom tablet to scrape off some rust and I tried to put together a small portfolio with recent work. It didn't attract much attention because the work was mediocre and with almost 0 followers, I wasn't going anywhere, but a few weeks after I uploaded my portfolio (I think it was on CGSociety and on one romanian art website) I received an email from a local game studio in my city and they were interested in a job interview. and after six years, I'm still working there on fun stuff. I would have never found out about that studio because it was very small and it was part of a larger company that focused on software development. That game department was tiny and more of an experiment within the parent company and they also weren't advertising hiring positions. So in conclusion, if I wouldn't have spent those 3 weeks on drawing that winter, the guy that was recruiting wouldn't have found me on the website when he was filtering for local artists, and I wouldn't have had that breakthrough in the gaming industry. So no matter what chances you think you have and regardless of how much you think your work sucks, post it somewhere because you never know who might see it. Sorry for the long post but that's my tale.
This is very close to my experience after going to college for graphic design. Worked in sign shops which drained the essence from my soul and I stopped producing illustrations and graphics outside work. I eventually gave up a career in graphic design after 5+ years and decided to get into illustration/story telling. I can't say my story has quite the same plot because i've basically hit reset on all my skills, (digital illustration, life drawing, character design, etc.) BUT I am working on a story that I eventually want to turn into an animated mini-series. My advice would be: It really is never too late. I'm 30 and just realized what I'm passionate about with art, it's all a matter of how much time you're willing to invest. This is something I wish I learned much earlier in life.
I'm going through exactly the same thing as a recent illustration graduate. I'm even experiencing that two years of no work or financial stability right now. It's tough out there but it's nice to hear these kinds of stories so I can get my butt back into gear and start improving my portfolio.
@@joe_illos9648 , same here, bud, though I havent worked a day as an artist yet)) "Same", I mean, we didnt learn stuff we might need at the graphic design course. So now I am expelled from there, but I have no regrets: I had my time in there and now I am ready to have a firm grip on my portfolio and work with it
After 13 years working in finance, finally got my first job as a 2D artist. I took a huge pay cut but felt so blessed to just get my foot in the door to pursue my passion in art. It all started when I saw your video on how to draw a head. Thank you Proko.
I actually did that this year at my local comic con, all of the artists were actually really excited to talk about art, and they wrote some advice and looked at my sketches.
So many talented artists! I’d be so freaking overwhelmed by that skillset and creativity. Sometimes I wonder if I just poured all that time and energy committing to my art how much better I would have gotten. Great video!
At 18:45 He lifted my spirits up, I know I have a while to go before my traditional art gets better because I want to do concept art one day. My main focus now is 3D animation, I'm looking now before I graduate and I'm nervous because I hope I have a chance at getting into a studio. I see so many unique styles and takes on classic and original characters that it inspires me. I'll start doing digital commissions soon, it just that negative voice in the back of my mind that tells I don't have a chance. But we all gotta start somewhere. Thanks for these informative videos, podcast, and anatomy lessons.
I'm graduating next year and I'm really scared. 😭 The animation industry in my country is non-existent, but at the same time I don't want to live abroad forever.
Im 17 and planning to apply to bachelor of animation in Sheridan college this year though i dont quite much like animation compare to game design but i guess that could be my starting point... I hope one day i can work for companies like ubisoft or blizzard. Im dying preparing the portfolio for college and videos like these inspire me to keep going so... Thanks proko.
I was told to pick the brains of those doing the jobs you seek. Thanks much, exactly what i was looking for. I've done many forms of art but none have made more money than the time it took to do them. Things like Culinary arts, Silver smithing, Dyeing craft yarn, singing have all been more of a self satisfying form of art. Advancing to a profitable level "like a pyramid, start wide and focus up to a point", is very useful advice. To train as a sport to build a foundation. I've recently changed priorities in life and have really just begun a new campaign towards profitable art. I plan on building a wide base of drawing styles while still focusing on themes i personally enjoy. Working the basics like a marathon, not a sprint. Thanks again for the wide variety of pro's opinions and back stories.
Throughout all these videos, aside from the fantastic advice, one of my other goals is to find someone who looks at me like that girl looks at Peter Han.
Damn, Sean mentioning LedHeavy made me tear up a little... so many good times on that forum, with him and Skottie and all the other artists around that time...
I did not expect to see so many of the incredible artists I follow on ArtStation and Instagram in this video! It’s so interesting to hear their stories and it honestly fills me with hope for the future. People who say you can’t make a living as an artist have only payed attention to stereotypes and do not know the truth about this incredible industry. If you want it enough, you will get there!
How would you go into another area of art when the industry you're in is a sinking ship? I read ads for art jobs and they want a certain amount of years of experience in a specific industry. It is also difficult to network as an introvert.
should you include things like thumbnails and sketches in a portfolio or should you stick to final pieces as a character designer? also how can you add some diversity in case you might be fit for another position?
Hopefully you're aware that none of the people who advertise skillshare actually use it, its just a kickback. If skillshare was actually good you'd be hearing it through word of mouth and not mouthpiece paid advertising.
I personally used it for a storyboard course, and mostly for video editing, budgeting and mostly things non drawing/painting related. I did love it for a while, honestly
I love this video, very inspiring, its my dream to be an ilustrator but im not a kid anymore im working everyday in a bar, is really hard to me to start, begin something that change everything. I feel like my dream is a candle melting
"begin something that change everything" - it does sound like a big thing, and that is scary. No need to "change everything". Maybe try baby steps - 30 mins/an hour drawing every day just for pleasure. Don't attach too much pressure to it. Best wishes!
I'm on the point of giving up. I tried to be a freelancer, but every time the person gives up on the project or I'm not selected, if isn't something as freelancer, then there's the requirement of using programs for digital art, for me it sucks because I only draw on paper.
If you refuse to adapt the world will move without you, I get you like paper, but you cant deny the usefullness of digital, plus they are a bit awkard on feel but if you got the fundamentals it really isnt that hard to adapt to that medium, alternatively there are some great prgrams to scan your paper works and make them look like they where digital all along.
@@olgierdvoneverec4135 I dislike digital art, I'm not saying that is bad, but I really don't like it. My tools are nib pen/fountain pen, mechanical pencil, ballpoint pen and sakura pigma micron.
Well, before you officially give up (and I mean really give up, because I think every artist has “given up” at some point only to come back and push through; Karla Ortiz has talked a lot about this), you really need to do a few things.... 1) Honestly assess your work. Get outside feedback and critique. If you’re work isn’t great yet, keep working at it until it is (and keep going even after). 2) If you think you’re art is dope already, then maybe the problem is your networking and marketing strategies. You’re probably going to have to work on commissions for the the vast amount of your income (selling prints may be a small side hustle to that in the beginning). Figure out who would buy your work and/or hire you for a commission and where they are. Be honest. Start small and build. The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunity you’ll have to catch a lucky break. 3) Be okay with the fact that you’re probably not going to work for a commercial studio or company, because 99% of the opportunities require you to work in digital...at least until you have built up a name for yourself (or your work is undeniably awesome), which will take years. Breathe. Be okay with that, because this is what you love doing. For some inspiration, check out Allen Williams and Jono Dry. Keep pushing, my friend. 💪
I´m just a new artist here so, i was wondering if someone has some advice for me to join in this world, about how to find groups of artists to improve myself or where start making little jobs. Thanks.
Hey, don't know if my little experience is of any use for you, but the most important thing, of course, is getting you to be known and to know other people. Doesn't matter your skill level, just post your work right away. Doesn't matter where, choose the one social media you feel more confortable with (twitter, insta, tumblr, fb, etc.) but go with just one or two accounts, don't need to overwhelm yourself trying to keep multiple accounts. The reason for this is so it'd be more easy and confortable for you to keep in touch with people. Just do what you like and other people will start noticing. If it's original work, go ahead, if it's fanart, is fine too. But do it for the sake of your own work, not to please other people. Art is mostly about social interaction these days, getting involved and interacting with the community. This is, in my opinion, the best aproach to get involved with the art world for a begginer. Think of it as a way to engage with other people, rather than a cold business project. I personaly was afraid of posting my work because... no confidence, but once I started posting some pieces here and there, I started getting a small number of followers and even did a couple commisions! Just don't be afraid of other people and of getting exposure, and don't get discouraged if you're not getting noticed at first, it takes time and dedication to form something meaningful.
@@meowmrrrp Thanks so much for your advice, really thanks so much. I was posting my work online for a while, but i didn´t grow, i was thinking i did something wrong but now i know it´s normal, i will keep doing it! Again Thanks so much for your time
What if you don’t or haven’t found the ‘style’ most artists seem to have? Do you need one? Can you just copy a style and then create your own? Or is it just really bad here in Vegas?
I wonder what my story will be i just finished high school and i am not taking college going to self study, I wonder if how far can I go. Please encourage me senpai!!!!!
I think i might be crazy, but i know the girl with glasses from the beginning! she is an artist? from OfflineTV? NO IM NOT CONFUSING HER WITH LILYPICHU
I'm not yet making any many with art as an adult but as a child I used to draw tattoos with sparkly pens on my classmates and was paid for it until my teacher found out who's fault it was that whole class looked like fairy-prisoners 😆
I actually got my first gig when I was 17 and it didn't pay much buh I also had to redo the illustration because the client didn't like them and so i was sent back to drawing board .haha
Does anyone know a good digital method of art? I’m pretty good at traditional, but don’t know ANYTHING about digital. Do I need a PC, a Wacom tablet, an IPad, or something else?
If you do it, the worst that can happen is you get a "no" or "not at this time" and you can try again later. But if you don't apply, you're guaranteeing an eternal "no". Go for it and maybe you get notes on what you could work on learning!
is there a website or a way I can get more info on when and where the next cons for an artist are like some of the smaller ones? someone, please help I've googled it but it's not clear
Whatever I do, wherever i try i end up getting declined after finishing the test. I have 7 tests behind me, and objectively I find my work, a bit above mediocre. I think I am cursed.
What bother me is, don't you all people became pro long ago? When internet wasn't a big thing and not created a millions of wanna be artists, and industry wasn't full of creative people? It's great that you succeed back then, but what about now? How to get a job in modern times, while competing with million others, and more importantly with you guys? And don't tell me that art isn't a competition, it is, because people need money, and you really need to go really hard if you don't want to ruin your future career with furry porn.
