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

• Shrunk arms
• Changed Viser shape
• Added Ears from B
• Added mouth style from A
• Added Eyes from B (More expressions here

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

@burvantill I know how you feel! But i've noticed the more i'm into the common denominator in interest with someone the more excited, inquisitive and joyful I get! The nerves usually die down after 5-10 mins easily.

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

I made my own thread but I thought I would join in here on the discussion. I noticed everyone kind of keeps to the same style of artists.

Is that on purpose or would a diverse set help? LIke Jake mentions Bill Watterson and Masamune Shirow. Two worldly different artists/cartoonists.

Hello All SVS"ers! Ha

I am building my first art portfolio online. I have a background in website and graphic design but I am used to more corporate/business style sites and I want to make a great art portfolio that feels more personal, professional and fun.

I am looking for do's and don'ts and whats the best ways to gain clients through that channel. Should it be more of a service-oriented site like (hire me because I do this-this or that) or more of a display gallery with a minimal push?

Or do I make it feel like my services are like products? I guess it all depends on my goals right?

When I was growing up in the 80's/90's, artists use toi make it seem like luck and serendipity only made working artists. Where were you guys when I was a kid??? Lol

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

• Exact dates to be determined

@NessIllustration There are some boilerplate and bootstrap WordPress themes out there where you can determine your layout and content and adding plugins like Elementor or Beaverbuilder to add content and site structure without getting bloated with stuff you don't need for an Portfolio website. My site using it. Its not 100% but I keep building it out as I go.

http://jeremythomas-art.com/

@Geoffrey-Gordon Hey Geoff. I am also a WordPress Developer (8yrs) I would love to help out if you do. I've been thinking about working on a niche style wordpress theme and development resource for artists for awhile now. My current portfolio (http://jeremythomas-art.com/) which lacks good SEO because as a developer i hate working on my own web projects. Takes forever! lol Let me know if you wanna chat off site in msg or something.

@Annaaronson Excellent suggestions. I appreciate that. It feels really static and and Jaz definitely doesn't seem like he's grounded even though Rabbot is floating.

Agreed. Thanks for that. I'll post some thumbs.

I've been working on the first chapter of a short graphic novel series (My first attempt)

And I quickly made a mock up cover and want to get some feedback. At this point I probably should do more thumbs but I want first impressions on the quick shot.

Thanks SVS'ers!

Much appreciated! I agree on all points!

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.

Miss Nelson is missing!
But its very old at this point! Lol