Comic Illustrator turned web designer and back to Comic Illustrator. Follow your real life!
I really dislike this cancel first culture. Here is a podcast about the subject I think needs to be passed around to people that aren't fully invested in learning more before they pass knee jerk judgments
Stolen Ideas About Originality - David duChemin
https://www.abeautifulanarchy.com/podcast/episode-039
@ajillustrates These are my arguments. And no one has countered me on them...
The majority must be students that still have grade school tattle-tale mentality...
@Lee-White Agreed. I'm glad we've held this discussion here. Not trying to cause an Issue with Alphonso ( I get why he feels the way he does)
Just got comfirmaiton my Inktober Book will be shipping Oct 20th! Yeaaaah!!! 
Hello all! First time poster here but I've been a lurker for awhile.
I have a question that boggles my mind at the moment. I've been illustrating comic characters, superheroes, manga characters and such for the better part of 15-20 years off and on and never really "made" anything (to me) of substance. I would love to create stories but as an illustrator I wonder how do I create value with my work?
What criteria would my work fit in that would be of service someone? How do you create work that people are willing to give you monetary compensation for providing value?
I'm currently working in the marketing field as a web designer/graphic designer and I haven't even figured out how my work provides value there. I mean it does to an extent. It serves a purpose as advertising but to me that always felt hollow.
How do professionals like Jake, Will and Lee and some of you freelancers define how you provide value?
Thanks!
Jeremy Thomas
Here's a quick update for those interested. I took some votes and input from you guys and combined a few elements from all three.
*Edits
Without arms is just normal mode.
@smceccarelli Im turning 38 soon and I have a similar story to yours. You give me hope!
I'm currently 10 years in my career as a Web and Graphic Designer (More web then design though:( ) And I've had a good career. But my love is art. Specifically comic and illustration art.
In an attempt to have a semi-separate career as an Illustration; I'm wondering if I should create a completely new resume thats separate the Illustrator from the Web Designer. I can use my experience to help with the client and business side but I don't want new people to think I am clearly a web designer when I am both.
My Web Portfolio: jeremythomasdesigns.com
Hasn't been updated in a couple years.
My new Art Portfolio: jeremythomas-art.com
My guess would be to create a new resume even though I don't have any direct work yet in the industry. I can fill it with some of my design experiences that relate to illustration.
@tom-shannon Absolutely agree with the age range. I feel more idea's, concepts and my thoughts more solid in my 30's then I did in my 20's
Okay - First I completely understand how you feel about drawing things outside your current skill level and after your attempt you feel its lackluster or not to your expectations. BUT
Thats Art. If you don't try and push yourself each time you will do the same things over and over and only microscopically improve.
Theres a bunch of classes here that break down the fundamentals and you should take time with them. Use them as exercises that build real muscle. Create an Art map of your favorite artists that will give you an idea of the art YOU like to make. Also finding your niche and groove happens by accident you cant force it. Let it flow to you in time!
Sure fire way to improve. MASTER Copies, Tracing (Yes, Actual Tracing* digital and Tradational) and experiment.
When you master copy dont just copy without thinking. Analzyse why you like the art and mimic as close as possible everything you can from it. Lines, color, effects etc
Do a 1 to 1 study. Do one master copy and give yourself time to do it then do your own piece using what you learned.
Create small projects for yourself that go beyound the scope of pin up art. Find other mentors that will deversify your skill set. Join some patreons.
And give yourself a break, Its a sprint not a marathon.
Get feed back from artists underneath you, at your level and beyound you and take all of it at your discression. Non artists arent looking at things the way you are so your Dad is only going to help or hinder you.
Okay - First I completely understand how you feel about drawing things outside your current skill level and after your attempt you feel its lackluster or not to your expectations. BUT
Thats Art. If you don't try and push yourself each time you will do the same things over and over and only microscopically improve.
Theres a bunch of classes here that break down the fundamentals and you should take time with them. Use them as exercises that build real muscle. Create an Art map of your favorite artists that will give you an idea of the art YOU like to make. Also finding your niche and groove happens by accident you cant force it. Let it flow to you in time!
Sure fire way to improve. MASTER Copies, Tracing (Yes, Actual Tracing* digital and Tradational) and experiment.
When you master copy dont just copy without thinking. Analzyse why you like the art and mimic as close as possible everything you can from it. Lines, color, effects etc
Do a 1 to 1 study. Do one master copy and give yourself time to do it then do your own piece using what you learned.
Create small projects for yourself that go beyound the scope of pin up art. Find other mentors that will deversify your skill set. Join some patreons.
And give yourself a break, Its a sprint not a marathon.
Get feed back from artists underneath you, at your level and beyound you and take all of it at your discression. Non artists arent looking at things the way you are so your Dad is only going to help or hinder you.
Thank you so much. So ideally I should not confuse the Section Label "Portfolio" and remove some sections
-Remove section "Illustrations" ( I intended to add more once they are completed and not repeat the same images in Vis Dev)
Basically make a work portfolio with only 2 Categories? Vis Dev and Design?
Hello all - I recenly updated my website and wanted input on if its accessabile and easier to navigate. I tried a new gallery process and decided to make categories to go back and forth on each one instead of trying to cram everything on one page.
My goals for the site are
Let me know if its confusing in anyway or if its more of a choir to go through the categories. I've worked as a web designer for 10yrs and I'm to close to this to be objective.
Thank you if you get the chance!
jeremythomas-art.com @jeremyothomas_art
Just got my book via UPS and Amazon and its 100% Jake...
What a mess this was and irrational to play that game.
Anyways, I love it so far. I didn't expect this much content!
Just got comfirmaiton my Inktober Book will be shipping Oct 20th! Yeaaaah!!!
@Lee-White Agreed. I'm glad we've held this discussion here. Not trying to cause an Issue with Alphonso ( I get why he feels the way he does)
@ajillustrates These are my arguments. And no one has countered me on them...
The majority must be students that still have grade school tattle-tale mentality...
I really dislike this cancel first culture. Here is a podcast about the subject I think needs to be passed around to people that aren't fully invested in learning more before they pass knee jerk judgments
Stolen Ideas About Originality - David duChemin
https://www.abeautifulanarchy.com/podcast/episode-039
I'd like to add (as a newbie) Under-estimating how much work a job will take. Say creating 200 images for a book within 30 days....
It was supposed to be simple black and white images..but there's scope creep with customizing each image even though I am working off of mock up images as a base... sigh
Here is a position at Netflix Animation for new trainees
https://www.netflixanimation.com/jobs/4651613002
STORY PROGRAM DATES:
Portfolio Submission Deadline: March 15th, 2020
Finalists Notified by May 2020*
Start Date: June 2020*
Program Duration: 4 months