10 Things to Remember about Training. Gregory Manchess “10 Things” is a post of lists, things to keep in mind as you go along. This is a series I’ve begun, based on years of painting experience and research into origins of talent, and how the brain learns. Things about drawing, painting, learning, talent, building a portfolio, working in the business, etc. There are parallels to all forms of creating. Painting is similar to writing, acting, playing an instrument. Even scientific endeavors follow paths which are similar to all idea creation. Yet, like everything else about being an artist, these things are not set in stone. Challenge is the key element. 1. Draw. 2. You are already connected. 3. 4. 5. 6. “Ever tried. 7. 8. 9. To your last breath, the brain wants to learn and will do everything it can to get the advantage. 10. The absolute, drop-to-your-knees, scary part of it was that I realized very quickly that it was going to take training.
The only way to get to that stage is to hunker down, and hone in. An Open Letter To Young Freelancers | Thrillbent. An open letter to young freelancers: In the long run, the quality of your work is all that matters. As a professional comics writer, I sold my first script twenty-nine years and what feels like three separate lifetimes ago. Despite not being especially good early on, I’ve been steadily employed since the beginning, which stretches the laws of probability far beyond the breaking point. In terms of career longevity, I have enjoyed good fortune exceedingly disproportionate to my level of actual talent. If I could tell you how to replicate that luck, I would, happily, but I can’t. All I can give you, an up-and-coming comics freelancer trying to make a living in 2013, is my honest, absolute admiration at your fortitude and perseverance, because It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way.
Ever since history’s first cave painter got notes from his tribal leader, freelancers have been complaining about “editorial interference.” If you’re a young freelancer, here are some things you ought to know: Wysp - Get inspired. Get motivated. Practice. Improve your drawing skills! Why didn´t you tell me? Advice I wish someone had told me 20 years ago. -By Jesper Ejsing It is always hard. When I was 21 and in the beginning of my career as an artist, I was still studying literature. On the side I was hanging around at a Studio ( the one I still reside in ) doing freelance work and dreaming about being a full time illustrator. As the years piled together I realised that this drawing-thing is super hard. But no matter how hard I trained myself, no matter how many other artist I studied and asked questions and how many books I read, and no matter how much better I became, it never got any easier.
When you become better and you climb that next step of the skill ladder, you do not get to the top, you just get a little higher. My point is: do not wait for a point in your life as an artist when everything becomes easier. Some things will get a bit easier. What happens when you train yourself, is that some aspects of drawing becomes routine. I will finish, with my favorite quote from Mr. 10 Things...Word List. An early example of many portraits used in my portfolio to specifically get movie poster work. Greg Manchess Rehearse I’ve heard a number of new artists complain that no one wants to take a chance on using them.
That clients can’t recognize their potential. As if all their ‘talent’ will come rushing out once someone does. Where else in life does that ever happen? A pro doesn’t wait, they do something about it. Don’t think practice, think rehearsal. This painting was failing right and left in the beginning stages. Persistence Rehearsal forces you to be persistent. Airbrush, pastel, Prismacolors, guache and acrylics...anything to get the painting to the surface. Duality “Holding two opposing ideas in the head at the same time and still able to function is the mark of a superior mind.” It’s just never quite clear cut. In painting, as in life, it’s a both/and world, not either/or. Just a small selection of the many styles I carried in my early portfolio. No matter how you work. Huh? Saul Bass' Advice for Designers: Learn to Draw, and Create Beauty Even If Nobody Else Cares.
90 Incredible Drawings and Pencil Illustrations. Dear Jr Creative…Earn Your Place. You'll Be Better For It. — Thoughts on creativity. Dear Jr Creative, I’m a firm believer in earning your keep, starting from the bottom, doing the less than desirable well, before moving up. Prove yourself on what seemingly matters little, and people will notice. I promise. At the very least, I promise I’ll notice. I was a rich kid from the suburbs. In High School, and in Gen-X “rebellion” against my white collar family, I worked for the Las Vegas Water District doing underground construction. I dug ditches and changed water lines during the Vegas Summer for 8 dollars an hour. I dug the shit out of those ditches. All I wanted was the respect of these old guys changing water lines in the desert. Eventually, I’d earned a bit of respect.
I worked hard…”for a skinny rich kid.” One day I mentioned to the crew lead: “Fuck it. He pulled the truck over to the shoulder of a mountain road, heading North towards Mt. So I did. That was my last of three summers working for the water district. I went to school for business. So I resized graphics. . - Dave. How I Sketch: My Drawing Tools. Don't go to art school. I’ve had it. I will no longer encourage aspiring artists to attend art school. I just won’t do it. Unless you’re given a full ride scholarship (or have parents with money to burn), attending art school is a waste of your money. I have a diploma from the best public art school in the nation. Prior to that I attended the best private art school in the nation.
I’m not some flaky, disgruntled art graduate, either. But I am saddened and ashamed at art schools and their blatant exploitation of students. This is embarrassing. Artists are neither doctors nor lawyers. Don’t do it. Don’t start your career with debilitating debt. Please. You’ve got other options. You don’t have to go to college to be an artist.
There are excellent atelier schools all over the world that offer superior education for a mere fraction of the price. There are more. And then there are the online options. Sitting at a computer I have direct access to artists all over the world. The $10k Ultimate Art Education There. MILTON GLASER DRAWS & LECTURES. Drawing Lessons - How to Draw the Portrait. Amazing 3D Drawings. Fredo’s artwork looks like it comes to life from a piece of paper. It is outstanding! See also: “Pencil Art: Turn on the Light.” Photos © Fredo Link via Bored Panda. Make Your Milestones. Be Proactive Not Reactive. Joe Quesada's Hyper-Detailed Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary Artwork Tutorial.
Steal like an artist. Moebius angouleme2009. So You Want My Job: Comic Book Artist. Once again we return to our So You Want My Job series, in which we interview men who are employed in desirable jobs and ask them about the reality of their work and for advice on how men can live their dream. Some people think that growing up means leaving behind all your boyish ways. On the contrary, one of the great things about becoming an adult is that you can take the things you could only imagine and dream about as a boy, and bring them to life. That’s the line of work Francis Manapul is in. He’s a comic book artist for DC Comics who is currently working on The Flash comics that are coming out next month as part of DC’s ambitious re-launch of all 52 of their characters (all the comics are starting back at issue #1).
Francis gets to create the Flash’s world and his adventures–pretty cool. Now you just need to attain the “landing an awesome job” superpower! 1. I was born in the Philippines, but grew up in Toronto, Canada. 2. 3. 4. Cover of the new Flash, drawn by Francis. 5. 6. 7. 8. Instagram. What advice do you have for people who are trying to be good artists? Take It From Katie - an essay about style versus skill. Allison lehman : show + tell / 30 Day Drawing Challenge.
Perspective. Figure Drawing. Proko: Structure. Don't just copy, study!!