/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

>>4181798
When it comes to freelance (well anything really, but freelance in particular) - success largely has to do with your business related skills rather than your artistic skill. The more you think about your art practice as a business, the better. I mean stripping it down to supply & demand - you, as an artist, provide a good/service, and you must find customers who can use what you've got. Most artists overwhelming neglect the "find customers" part.

Artists who spend all their time making really great personal work and throwing it up on social media hoping to be 'discovered' will be far less successful than a lesser skilled artist who spends more time reaching out to land potential opportunities by pitching their portfolio.

When it comes to self promotion, social media is dwarfed in effectiveness compared to reaching out directly to art/creative directors and sharing your portfolio to be considered for upcoming projects. But doing that is hard & scary, and most people won't bother. The secret is that it's actually not that hard to scary at all. Most businesses that you would want to work with lists contact info online. A simple, friendly email sharing your portfolio and expressing your interest in working with them in the future can go a long, long way. If your work is both good & relevant to the opportunity, then your info will be kept on hand and you'll be considered for future projects. Do a good job when you finally get one, and you'll might get more work and create a repeat client. Get 10-20 repeat clients and you'll find you have an effortless, steady stream of freelance projects and a flourishing career.

>>4181798
I really love these poorly drawn anime images

>>4181823
This is very insightful, thank you for sharing this. I think the issue for a lot of people (me included) is not understanding what it means to "market yourself" as a business. Is it just like you said and all a matter of scouring forums, looking up websites and posting your stuff for potential clients to see? Certainly posting only to social media can only get you so far, but I hear some people making their living off of DND commissions alone.

Here's some I realize. I hope /beg/ read this thread. I'll write more If I remember stuff.
Don't chicken scratch. It gives the illusion that your drawing is good. This also apply to sketches vs lineart.
Digitally is way more efficient in learning how to draw, atleast for me.
Flip horizontally. This changed my life.
Beginners struggle with horizontal and vertical views careful.
Abuse reference photos don't even feel shame.
Search about isometric view and perspective drawing. Vanishing point, Horizontal line, those stuff.
Also you will suck and will be ridicule of /ic/
I recommend doing sketches first before finishing pieces.

>>4181823
>art/creative directors

But how does one find art/creative directors looking for freelance artists?

>>4181798
Is Kyle ever gonna live this down?

>>4181851
>>4181862
This - in a sense - depends on what you want to do. Personal, private commissions are one thing, but for well-paying commercial freelance work, the general idea is:
1.) Develop a focused portfolio of work
2.) Research and identify clients that are relevant to your particular type / style of work. (ie. don't look up childrens book publishers if you're trying to do sci-fi/fantasy illustration
3.) Make contact with them (can be as simple as emailing the art director, or just by using a general contact for on their website. In person meetings create a strong link but it's not at all necessary to build contacts).
4.) Share your portfolio of work (ideally a professional, standalone, curated gallery on a portfolio website [rather than just a social media site]) and express your interest in working with them.

And that's it. Everything after that point is beyond your control, and you should move on to the next promo. If they like your work and could use you, then they might contact you later for commissioned illustration work, and you've successfully promoted your work. If they don't like your work, they'll either let you know they don't need any help, or just not respond at all (most likely scenario).

The way you can identify clients in step #2 is pretty simple: From this point on, keep an eye out for published work out in the world. If anything strikes you along the lines of "Man, I could do that!" or "I want to do similar stuff", then take note of the business that published that work. They hired that illustrator, and they might just hire you too for other projects. Go online and get their info.

I want to stress how your "pitch" in #3 does NOT have to be long. You are not a used car dealer. You do NOT have to go for a hard sell. All you have to do is be friendly, share your portfolio link, and express your interest in working with them. Your work will do the rest.

>>4181960
Thanks a lot anon! This is very helpful and takes some of that stress away from what always feels like a daunting process.

>>4181841
Got any more?

When studying keep a good imagination-reference ratio like 70:30.