Any Lightweights or Middleweights Here Considered Pros (Professionals)?

[Guest]

Though I'd probably be ranked lightweight (or Middleweight if I was lucky), recently I'd been encouraged to do some non-comic illustration, and that got me to thinking………

From the critiques and advice I've gotten here (and even the evidence of my own eyes) I figured stepping my toes into the professional world was a long way off (whether comics-oriented or not). So, this recent encouragement caught me off guard, and got me to wondering whether I should let those critiques hold me back, and whether there are any other artists here at my same skill-level who actually are illustrating professionally never the less.

Anyone know of any such situations?

And now: the question that really leaves me open to getting my feelings hurt: if you've seen my work, would you encourage me to go for it? That's kinda why I put together the blog-post of my illustrations (link in my signature below, if you're interested). I still wouldn't even think of trying to break into comics for a few years yet, but what about some less-demanding market for illustration?

Now that post is not what I'd submit as an interview………it's meant to be more informal than that. If I intended it for professional consideration, I'd trim the number of images down to less than half.

But anyway: what do you guys think? About the subject in general as well as my specific questions.

[amadarwin]

I say GO FOR IT.

regardless of the crits you get here or elsewhere (and not to say they aren't without their merits), if you're getting asked to do paid work that you think you can handle with your skill set, GO FOR IT.

It doesn't matter which division of pummel you're in, if someone's willing to hire you and you have no issues with the assignment or the lack of capability, then you should do it.

There's no reason you, or anyone, shouldn't be trying to make money at the same time as they are developing their skills. If you can find the market, jump in.

[Keith]

I say GO FOR IT.

regardless of the crits you get here or elsewhere (and not to say they aren't without their merits), if you're getting asked to do paid work that you think you can handle with your skill set, GO FOR IT.

It doesn't matter which division of pummel you're in, if someone's willing to hire you and you have no issues with the assignment or the lack of capability, then you should do it.

There's no reason you, or anyone, shouldn't be trying to make money at the same time as they are developing their skills. If you can find the market, jump in.

^Pretty much this. If someone wants to pay you for drawing something. then that's all that matters honestly. Overthinking it will just only hinder yourself from getting things done for yourself.

[sirandal]

^Pretty much this. If someone wants to pay you for drawing something. then that's all that matters honestly. Overthinking it will just only hinder yourself from getting things done for yourself.

What he said.

[Carl_Shinyama]

Go for it. Gotta start somewhere.

[SHAMWOW!]

It doesn't matter who we are, what matters is our plan.

No one cared who I was until I put on the mask..

[weirdozhead]

I like the style man, if anything I think you just need an editor to keep you in check on some stuff.. but I could definitely see you doing some paid work.

[Jim]

Hells yeah, the terms 'professional' or 'freelance' are pretty misleading. It can often mean 'I had one job a year ago and have been working at Starbucks since'. If someone is willing to pay you, go for it. As you say, sometimes it's just a case of changing the focus of what you're drawing to something more populist.

I'm a graphic designer (as you are) and I just mentioned to my agent that I'm doing illos now, and so now he considers me for jobs in both fields, simple as that.

[sacredbob]

Also, ditto!

My comic stuff is not great, but I'm working on my 3rd (WTF!) children's book job now. Getting a paid job- regardless of what you think your skill level is- is a rewarding experience- and not just for the money.
Also remember that "normal" folks think light/middle weight stuff is great and are typically more willing to pay for it (because we might charge $60-75 a page instead of $200 a page, as a "pro" would.) Any opportunity to get paid to do what you love is worth every second and every penny!

[dfbovey]

Best training is on job training. Drawing for pay and to someone's specifications is a completely different world. Go for it, have fun with it and good luck.

[BringerOfStorms]

What they said. Good luck. Stay focused on getting better and don't sweat it.

Good luck.


~BoS

[CrazyMobius]

How does one break into the business of character drawing anyway?

I mean it's all well and good to say "go for it" but where would one start?

[bikini]

Right now I have a 'professional' art/design job that requires a bachelors degree at the very least plus experience (I do not/never had). Most people on this forum can draw me under the table. It was pure luck on my part, and I because I have a friend who is super pushy and wanted me to tag along to this meeting (more as window dressing for her then for my benefit but it worked in my favor). I landed my other big art job because the person I was working for was not psychologically stable, and because his grandson had emailed him some of my art-I never would have even known such a job existed on my own. So in my case, it was luck and a connection of some sort. With out those I would still be cleaning houses. Also the best piece of advice I was ever given was 'fake it till you make it'.

[yomark]

All very good advice/comments and very encouraging.

One note, however:

I must have been somewhat misleading in my phrasing, but just to be clear: there is no gig; No one is offering to pay me to do jack. This would be a case of me developing some content, and then trying to sell it, whether directly on my own, or by trying to get a publisher to pick it up.

Given what you all have said, I suppose there's no harm in trying, with the added benefit that I might get constructive criticism if my work is not ready/publishable.

The only thing that has happened to me recently is that someone that I consider a "pro" in his market encouraged me to jump in, and that's what prompted this thread.

Great discussion going here, though.

[Teratophile]

Most people on this forum can draw me under the table.

Oh be quiet.