Reply With QuoteDo you draw everyday? Do you have a sketch book?
I have a terrible problem with consistency in line and in approach. I have been working professionally for some years now and what is standing in the way of any real success for me is my inconsistent style.
What feeds into this is insecurity and being able to think of ten ways to do everything. My coloring is always different, my line quality varies greatly.
I think that perhaps my problem is that what style I have is neither fish nor fowl. Somewhere between cartoony and realistic. I also go long periods between storyboard assignments and have to work in other areas to make ends meet. I actually forget some things between jobs.
All I know for sure is that I and my agents are not happy with what I do.
I've seen beginners with dead consistent styles early in their careers. It seems natural to them. I can't seem to get there. I am self taught and am suspicious that there is some basic idea or step I'm not paying enough attention to.
Anyone have a problem like this that they have solved?
Here is my storyboard blog for examples of my work. It may not be the best example of what I mean since I culled through my work for pieces most like each other.
http://bussellillustrations.blogspot.com/
Sid
Do you draw everyday? Do you have a sketch book?
get new agents. I admit i don't know about what you do, but you are the artist. If they can't sell an artist on his versatility than they are morons. It is your vision. It is more than your developing style it is probably your strongest attribute as an artist to be in constant flux. You know you can get a job done, and yet you are worrying about making a signature style. Don't.
--again, about this subject i admit i know jack, so take it for what it is random internet opinion.
--maybe your inconsistency is just because of your, inconsistency. draw daily. Forget the paycheck incentive and do your own thing until you get a job. Maybe you feel you don't have a style because you don't take the time to do your own thing. (there's always comics)
--one more time, i don't know jack about your situation, I'm purely maiking assumptions here.
Guru George I absolutely draw everyday. Not enough from life or photos. You're right.
Autowagon: I'd like to talk more about this. You have a strong opinion and it sounds like you DO know something.
Getting a new agent: easier said than done.
This is a commodity driven market.
I do draw comics as it happens. Adult. A style seems to be evolving there.
My situation is drastic. I HAVE to consider the paycheck. Always.
I hope you're right. It may be my overall vision isn't clear.
I think it's hard for an artist to see consistancy between different jobs. Other people will detect the minutai that we the creator of the work take for granted because we see it in every moment. I lament all the time on my lack of consistancy both in style and quality. But people say otherwise.
Art Blog: http://karpartpage.blogspot.com/
Pummel Stats: 9 wins 18 losses 1KO
Nothing's like a blaster at yer side.
glad to offer food for thought. I know the paychecks are important, but draw for fun too outside of the, has to look a certain way because it's a job, mentality and maybe you'll rediscover your own style.
--I have a Quote hanging on my wall that i sort of live by, "Pleasing the audience is the most important thing in the world, but do not compromise in any way to please them. . .in a certain sense the definition of art." Penn Jilette
--I am not a working artist and i haven't had the true work experience that you do, but i see this quote as it pertains to every really successful artist. Frank Miller. Willie Nelson. Lyoto Machida. These guys do it the way they want to do it, and because of that they are recognized as the best at what they do. i'd rather leave this subject on that general note than come off like i'm preaching about things i don't know about.
Thanks. So far everyone seems to be saying not to make too much of it...
UNDERLYING STRUCTURE.
Are you building your illustrations from the inside out? Do you focus on basic shapes and composition of the figure? 'Cause if you're just sketching in where you want the finish lines to go without putting in the underlying construction, then its no wonder you're having problems.
The biggest help is just practice. Experience makes a difference, the more you do this the easier it becomes. But it's also vitally important that you not skip over the basic shapes and structure of everything from figures to environments to contextual objects, especially early on when you're still learning.
You put your finger on the basic challenge of doing storyboards: there isn't time for building figures in that classic way illustrators and comic artists do. I have to work by feel emphasizing shapes. There literally isn't time to build in any but a rudimentary way. At any rate I think you are talking consistent draftsmanship here. I don't see how this relates to consistency of style which is a separate issue, at least in my mind. What do you think?
It's already been said before in this thread, but I'll repeat it because it warrants repeating. The only way to get consistancy is to practice. I used to constantly be frustrated with my arts lack of consistancy until I started doing a sequential page a week for a web comic my friend writes. I'm still not as consistant as I'd like, but that's because I STILL don't draw every day. But my consistancy has gotten more and more noticable every week.
Besides that... you're art is awesome. Who's complaining? lol
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