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Struggling Professional Artist Needs Advice Badly.

Categories Forums > Community > Help with Life
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:iconshadesofcerulean:
=shadesofcerulean Apr 28, 2008, 11:57:01 PM
Ok. Here is the situation - I'll try to be as brief as possible.

- Brief background: I graduated from one of the top art schools in the world (thanks to God and many, -many- need- and academic-based scholarships) about three years ago, hoping to get a good job and help my very-low-income-at-the-time, though-a-little-better-now family and make a positive impact on the world. I'm now 26. My family, sponsors, and .. everyone I know .. are wondering why I haven't become .. anything. I work almost day and night striving to get work, but no one seems to want anything to do with me, and I have no idea why. -

1. After many applying to many companies/groups who didn't respond at all, I worked hard for months redoing my portfolio - trying to target it at one specific studio instead of just a general portfolio like the last time. I was trying to get into Studio Udon. (Note, not all of the studios I applied for before and since were so exclusive/prestigious) Just a week after I had completed the lengthy project of constructing an Udon-targeted portfolio, they announced that no one should contact them about new jobs as they "had enough mouths to feed." I was waiting until I moved to my new place to contact them so.. that was a bit disheartening.

2. I re-posted my portfolio (www.shadesofcerulean.com) to be less Udon-esque. I've been near-frantically applying to just about anyone who'd take me - for needs in book illustration, comics, game art, etc. (Especially since my day job just drastically cut my hours.) I had figured my new portfolio was not nearly as bad as my old one - and may even be considered good - so it wouldn't end up with the non-feedback it did last time I sent it around a couple years ago.

3. Response this time: Almost as silent as last time so far. I have one gig for two novel covers coming up - which I appreciate greatly - but is not set to be completed/paid until November. Aside from that I have upcoming work as a colorist - with a decent starting rate. This wouldn't be too bad save the fact that since they're a small group, they aren't officially 'employing' me, which means a good deal of the money for both this and the book covers will have to be put aside for self employment tax. (So, with the time spent, it'll probably average about $5-$7 per hour.) That plus a 4-page promo (yes, done-for-free) comic that'll hopefully help to have on the resume.. but how much... I wonder.

And SO.. I ask.. What's wrong with my art/resume/self/everything? I'm a professional artist, despite how personal I'm being now (note the website - not all the 'eh' art i post here) - I spent $100k of mine and other's money on art school - I work constantly and consistently on improving my trade - I'm extremely reliable - I have never missed deadlines. Why is it that 90% of my classmates have awesome, extremely well-paying jobs and I'm struggling so much to get -anything-? Is there some greatly obvious problem with everything about me that I'm blind to?

I also ask.. Does anyone know of any small comic studios or book companies that may need an artist such as myself? Comic studios seem to respond most to my work - or book publishers who specialize in teen-targeted novels. (Note, I can't afford to work for free at this point. -Please- do not post things like "I have a comic story/children's book/game idea I need an artist for that will be paid if published." I have stories and dreams of things to create of my own that I'd work on if I could afford it. No offense meant at all - That's just my situation, and I apologize if that seems rude.)

Please be brutally honest. I really -really- need my career to not die. I don't want to let down all of the people who believed in me enough to sponsor me through school. I can't just give up. I can't afford too - financially, nor in my heart.

Thanks everyone for any and all advice given. It is appreciated more than you know.
~ Solstice

--
*I'm currently collecting Resident Evil-based fanart for fun. Please see the fourth section on the right side of my profile page for more information on having me post your work there.*

“May you live all the days of your life.” ~ Jonathan Swift

Devious Comments

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:icondrakebloedje:
~Drakebloedje Apr 29, 2008, 12:30:45 AM
Ok I just looked at your art, and the only thing I could think of is that your art doesn't have a soul.

It's drawn well, it looks good, but it doesn't grab me. While I have seen drawings on DA which aren't as difficult, with shades etc, but do grab me.

When I see this: [link]
[link]
[link]

These examples all have their own unique deep style which makes me love them. Your drawings do look good, proportional and all, but they haven't got their own style, they look one dimensional. I don't feel any emotions when looking at them. They are just there and that's it.

Maybe that's one of the reasons.

--
I reject your stupidity, and substitute my own!
:iconfallencorpse:
~FallenCorpse Apr 29, 2008, 1:12:06 AM
They just dont like you thats it.

Also your artwork is mediocre, but consistent.

Maybe you ask too much salary?

Draw something photorealistic too. Show versatility and ability to draw what you are being told to draw.

Learn 3D.

Besides your getting some jobs ask them for new jobs. Be ruthless and clever.

Good luck! i dont think youre a lost cause.
:iconnursethalia:
=nursethalia Apr 29, 2008, 4:10:29 AM
You do have alot of talent, but when I look at your work, I don't see a lot of depth or variety. Try branching out and playing with styles and techniques that you normally wouldn't, and build on that. The artists who get hired are either entirely devoted towards one style that a company needs, or versatile enough to manage any type of needed style with ease.
:iconfreakylaurent:
*FreakyLaurent Apr 29, 2008, 4:17:33 AM
Hoo boy !

Might need to try a very different approach & re evaluated ur method of drawing . . .

Need to add depth, shadeing & realsitic looking in order to grab our attention.

Good luck

:/

--
Please do check out my - :gallery:
~~↓
Direct link to My GALLERY ! :D
:icondeadmeatgf:
~DeadMeatGF Apr 29, 2008, 4:27:57 AM
OK - without even looking at your portfolio, as I don't feel qualified to critique it, may I draw a parallel?

I'd love to turn professional as a Rugby Union Coach.
I have the relevant qualifications, and plenty of experience at a number of levels, but relative to the number of coaches, paid positions are few and far between. Employers can really pick and choose, which is, I believe, a similar situation with artists.
The only person I know who broke into professional coaching did so with the help of a partner who could afford to bankroll him while he volunteered full time - whereas a more qualified and experienced coach couldn't afford to give up the day job and subsequently never got the chance to turn pro.

It's not all doom & gloom - but you're going to have to do an unfeasible amount of unpaid stuff to rack up enough reputation, and to prove your dedication, for employers to be grabbed by you.

Good luck ...

--
You want an answer - just ask; Want your ego massaged - go sign up on MySpace.
[Stop that - remain calm - avoid feline vomit at all costs ...]
:iconcajunattack:
*cajunattack Apr 29, 2008, 4:55:06 AM
Seems like your artwork is getting a lot of bad press. I don't agree with them, especially the first poster.
It seems your artwork is more illustrative, rather than stand-alone pieces. If you want to get into illustration in a digital medium, but maintain one constant style, that's cool and will probably net you work eventually.

Approach agencies rather than companies- most graphics companies, in the UK anyway, won't even look at unsolicited work. If you go down this path DON'T have a variety of styles in your portfolio- most employers want consistancy, not someone who flutters from style to style.

If you're happy with the way you want to draw, try a variety of subject matter in your portfolio- not just stylised manga, try to fill it full of every-day objects, landscapes, vehicles etc. Employers will want to depend on you to draw anything. Hell, even if you get a job illustrating STD pamphlets, it's something.
Best of luck.
:iconshadesofcerulean:
=shadesofcerulean Apr 29, 2008, 7:11:06 AM
I appreciate your comment - Thanks for the insight.

I'm not sure I see where my art "has no soul" - though maybe it has become more that way lately since college because I've been trying hard to do what I thought companies would want to see, not always what comes from my heart. - Note, the portfolio I sent the link to is about my 4th or 5th since college. I tried a wildlife one, a children's book one, a graphic/web design one, etc. to send to different companies. This portfolio was originally geared at Udon and so it was a bit heavier on anime-looking art than any before. - I probably should have mentioned that.

As someone who's usually very deep and has dreams of making art based on stories that will hopefully deeply touch people - to think that my art has become "soulless" is very saddening since I know that was the one thing before college that people said I actually had in my work though it wasn't as technically good as a lot out there. Granted, I know that there are people out there who would say that just because my art is too anime-ish and others who would because it's not anime-ish enough... But then, I don't think that's necessarily you, because that second link you sent was very anime-ish. Still, I don't see how someone could honestly look at pieces like "GoRG Link" or the portrait of Idris and Sojourner and not think I put -any- soul in my work.. The only piece I know is specifically -very- soul-less is the entry I did for the recent contest (the latest entry in my dev gallery) - which was supposed to be that way because of the subject matter. I'll definitely take your criticism into mind and try and put more soul into my work, but I wonder how much of my gallery you actually looked at before saying this.

Evenso, Thank you for the links. I especially like the third one. It makes me wonder if maybe the 'lack of soul' is coming from me striving and overworking my art so hard that it's not even always very enjoyable anymore. I don't feel free with it anymore. I try hard to mimic what I think this employer or that employer will want instead of just letting whatever's within come out. It's too much "trying" not enough "just doing"...

Thanks again, you've given me something to think about and change as I go on with my work.

--
*I'm currently collecting Resident Evil-based fanart for fun. Please see the fourth section on the right side of my profile page for more information on having me post your work there.*

“May you live all the days of your life.” ~ Jonathan Swift
:iconshadesofcerulean:
=shadesofcerulean Apr 29, 2008, 7:18:14 AM
Thanks for the comment.

Haha, I wasn't whining, I don't think they just don't like me. I just honestly wanted some advice - hopefully some who are successful illustrators and comic artists out there.

Um.. just saying my art is "mediocre" doesn't help me improve it.. -How- is it mediocre?

I don't ask too much salary - I don't usually bring that up. When I apply, I basically go with whatever they'll pay me.

The editors I've talked to have all said to not do versatility too much and to not do photorealism if that's not what I'm applying to do since they don't really care to see art they're not going to commission me for. That's a good thought though.

(Note also, the portfolio I sent the link to is about my 4th or 5th since college. I tried a wildlife one, a children's book one, a graphic/web design one, etc. to send to different companies. This portfolio was originally geared at Udon and so it was a bit heavier on anime-looking art than any before. - I probably should have mentioned that.)

Learning 3D is a very good bit of advice.. I haven't been able to apply for a lot of jobs just because they all seem to want someone who can do both 2D and 3D work now.. Kind of a bit of sad news for a 2D illustration major..

Next bit of advice about getting more jobs from current jobs is good, too. Thanks. I'll try that.

And thank you - I sincerely hope I'm not a lost cause. : )

--
*I'm currently collecting Resident Evil-based fanart for fun. Please see the fourth section on the right side of my profile page for more information on having me post your work there.*

“May you live all the days of your life.” ~ Jonathan Swift
:iconshadesofcerulean:
=shadesofcerulean Apr 29, 2008, 7:22:59 AM
Note, the portfolio I sent the link to is about my 4th or 5th since college. I tried a wildlife one, a children's book one, a graphic/web design one, etc. to send to different companies. This portfolio was originally geared at Udon and so it was a bit heavier on anime-looking art than any before. - I probably should have mentioned that.

But still - it's a good comment. I think my current gallery is too "in between" - not being enough 'devoted to one style' nor 'versatile enough to manage any type of style needed'.

I'll definitely decide which way I want to go this time around as I try again. Thanks.

--
*I'm currently collecting Resident Evil-based fanart for fun. Please see the fourth section on the right side of my profile page for more information on having me post your work there.*

“May you live all the days of your life.” ~ Jonathan Swift
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