Episode 01 - My Art is Great, Why Won't Anyone Hire Me?

Margarita Levina · 1 May 2018, 07:45

Thanks a lot for this episode! Just in time for me. Really. I don't know who is the author of that mentioned letter, but it sounded like it could be me. I'm struggling with this problem of high-rendering a lot. Sometimes it's like an obsession - I want to draw something more figurative, but ending up with something realistic-looking. Because a figurative art looks like I can't draw. It's just not enough for me!) And I fixing and redrawing it until it looks real. Urrrr... So I will definitely try your advices! And looking forward your next episodes!)))

DOTTYP · 1 May 2018, 14:36

Loved the podcast it was very inspiring with some awesome tips.I will have to do the nine picture comparison thing but I suspect it is going to be depressing.

jaepereira · 1 May 2018, 15:09

Well done first episode. I actually got a good story idea while listening to the podcast!

Laurel Aylesworth · 1 May 2018, 18:37

I think if this illustration thing doesn't pan out for Jake Parker, he'd make a fabulous life coach. But seriously, I love what he says about living your life to refill the well and not becoming a production machine. I'd been taking classes and gearing up for a conference these past few months, which were great but left me wiped out and wrung out creatively. I got some great feedback from a professional in the biz at the conference, so now I'm digesting it and taking some down time before starting up again. Don't forget to refuel, people. Thanks Jake/Will/Lee! Or Willeejake?

Sarah LuAnn · 1 May 2018, 19:31

I agree @Laurel-Aylesworth having a life is a really important part of developing as an artist. I feel like I'm in an interesting place right now, because I'm at least REALLY CLOSE to hitting all four of Lee's "is my work really good enough?" points, but I am also the primary caregiver of two kids under two years old. I just don't have the time and attention to focus on my art right now, or on promoting it for that matter. But my kids are definitely filling that creative bank account--ESPECIALLY since I want to do children books! In a year or two when things settle down I will be able to do what Jake mentioned at the end--all the networking and getting my work out there etc. I'm trying to think of this phase as a break, where I get to do work that I like, develop my craft, and find inspiration every day. I'm making my list of 8 greats, I'm planning to do the exercise as outlined. I'm excited to see what to work on next. And a bit nervous, but you know...

evilrobot · 1 May 2018, 21:18

Enjoyed this very much. Looking forward to more:)

1 May 2018, 23:10

I really liked the podcast! I do think being at an artistic cross road is a never-ending event. I'm working on my 9 panel exercise

Eli · 2 May 2018, 00:12

The podcast is great! Hope you make bunches of these! Also really liked the "awkward questions" pre-podcast video on YouTube!

lady chamomile · 2 May 2018, 17:35

@margarita-levina Have you tried doing time-limited gesture drawings? (i.e. 2 min limit, 5 min limit, etc) They are great practice, and force you to focus on the overall drawing rather than the details.

Here's a website I like to use: https://line-of-action.com/

lady chamomile · 2 May 2018, 17:39

@eli @demotlj @Sarah-LuAnn Thanks you guys, I feel better knowing it's not just me. But I do think putting aside my ego and absorbing good critique is hard lol, I'll be working on that

Wishing you all the best!

Margarita Levina · 2 May 2018, 18:00

@lady-chamomile actually I did!) but my problem is not in sketching, but in rendering. I want to try limit rendering time though.

juliepeelart · 2 May 2018, 18:52

I love the podcast format! I am looking forward to more!

lady chamomile · 2 May 2018, 20:02

@margarita-levina I looked through your gallery and it looks so good! It doesn't give me the impression that you are hyper-rendering. But maybe if you want a change in style, try the "copying to perfection" (i.e. Master Study of an artist you like) that the instructors are suggesting? Anyways, I'm sure you've already thought of doing that

Gary Wilkinson · 3 May 2018, 01:22

Really enjoyed listening to this podcast. I am always on the lookout for material to keep my motivation up and my creative juices flowing! It's also helping me to boost getting my work out there.

I have always had an issue with seeking out professional work as I look at some of the work that is out there and question whether I would be able to produce something of a similar quality on a regular basis. However been part of this forum group has really helped push my work and the advice from Will, Jake and Lee (as well as other forum members) has been invaluable. I've been trying to produce a lot of work recently that would fill the gaps in my portfolio, but I have been trying to focus on making them as part of a project, rather than just as a portfolio piece, such as, I am currently making a group of imaginary monsters of different material types to go along with Will's texture course.

I am preparing to push out my first postcard run soon and am taking my work a lot more seriously in my attempt to become a professional, especially as I have now become a part time worker (giving me that oh so lovely financial pressure push). I have also been thinking whether people would be interested in me documenting my process on my website through a blog? I would be focusing on what methods are working or not working in an attempt to find illustration work, kind of like a diary of attempting to achieve success firsthand.

The main takeaway from listening to this podcast was the idea of self-auditing and looking closely at what I need to do to improve, what gaps to fill or what I need to do to be valuable to publishing companies.

At this time I don't have a lot of advice to put out there, but I would say that you feel like you are creating your art in a bubble for yourself then try and burst it and share whether you feel you are good enough or not. Maybe your style is something that would be perfect for a certain company and by hiding yourself no-one is ever going to see what you are making.

LauraA · 3 May 2018, 08:26

Just finished listening to the first podcast! Like everyone else, I think it's a great new addition. The main reason: Everyone else mostly seems to just interview famous artists (mostly in vis dev or animation) and say, "You're so cool! Did you draw when you were young? How did you start working for Disney/Pixar/insert famous company here? And what is your next big project?" A few podcasts might do something similar for children's books, and sure, that's interesting, but the emphasis is more on stardom, not the thick of the struggle in which you wonder if you'll ever be able to support yourself. I really like that you guys are more specific and have practical information that applies to everyone.

Re this first episode, I particularly liked two things: One was Jake's story about how he upped his character creativity level from generic to more interesting by intensive study.

The other was the mention of the need for tough critique. I went through a fine arts program many years ago, and my professors were flippant, merciless and sarcastic. They also pointed out that I hadn't lived yet, so how could my work be interesting? Now, maybe a critique doesn't have to be as mean spirited as some of the ones I received (not to mention that some of them would now be outed for harassment), but we beginners NEED tough critiques so we won't waste our time. Sure, we've all had those critiques where someone pointed out what we already sensed, and of course style and opinion vary, but we want to get better, and that's why we're here! This is one reason I'm trying to take more live courses now. Critique helps, and sometimes I think it could be tougher.

Really looking forward to episode 2, which I hope to listen to sometime today. Keep up the good work!

Lee White · 3 May 2018, 23:49

So glad you guys are liking the podcast. We just recorded the 9th one today. : )

Kat · 4 May 2018, 00:31

Can't wait, you guys rock! Really great discussions and I'm very happy you decided to do this!

Miriam · 4 May 2018, 07:22

@lady-chamomile
I like getting critiques while in-progress, but what is important is figuring out what works for you. Different things are going to work for different people.

It sounds like you know what works best for you, so either don't show it to anyone until you are ready for comments, use the method @Sarah-LuAnn shared, or ask people to write it down instead of verbalizing their critiques, so you can take a look when you are ready.

Especially with your husband--simply explain how you feel about it, and express your appreciation for his interest, as well as your gratitude for the help his criticism gives you, and he will probably be happy to accommodate you.

Miriam · 4 May 2018, 09:10

@rachy
Balance is hard! Jake Parker has some great tips in his YouTube videos. I remember one where he talks specifically about Work/Life balance. He describes how he plans out his day to make sure he is the most effective with his time and schedules everything that needs to be done, including time to fill his creative bank account.

I did a quick search, & these look like they're the ones I'm thinking of:
Time Management For Creatives: https://youtu.be/9cv6tGGLFUo
5 Things I Learned e043: https://youtu.be/QEbH1kODlU0

Miriam · 4 May 2018, 09:11

@rcartwright
I don't know how to determine who's at the "top of the industry" either, but I'm thinking you can do a google search for something like "best sellers children's books 2018".

I'm usually a fan of clicking on "Images" on google, but in this case, I think you get better results from clicking on the links of the search results. Amazon, NY Times, Penguin Random House, etc. all have lists of top sellers, so I would think these would be a good indication of artists to learn from.

I'd also search for award winning books, such as Caldecott & Newbery Medal winners.