working on illustration gallery- manicprogressivemedia.com...

[expatriot]

i am finally biting the bullet and putting some of my drawings online... i have no professional training,all self-taught but i finally have accepted that i will never be happy if i don't do something with this passion of mine.

http://www.manicprogressivemedia.com

what kind of training do i need to be a freelancer?

[NC_Nate]

1. Can't answer your question...

But I'm impressed..natural talent :toast:

[jdots]

2. very nice stuff

be prepared to do the wierdest stuff you can imagine to get exposure because it seems the people trying to make money off of artists are as scuzzy as the music bizz.I mean wierd too there are no answers so forge ahead and don't let anyone stop you,the rejection is retched out there but there are ways around it.fine-art dot com is a good forum because people discuss the pitfalls and scams out there,bogus juried shows to internet come ons.

[yellowdogintexas]

3. you have talent...enter some local art shows

if you live in an area that has them.

do take classes, they will help you with different media. Check out the non credit classes at your local community college or university.

did you do those w/ the mouse, or are they scanned in?

My daughter does both.

[Lorien]

4. You need a BFA from an accredited art college

This IS a question I can answer! I was on the review board of Walt Disney Feature Animation for several years (I was one of the people you had to get past to get hired or promoted). I've reviewed hundreds-maybe thousands (weeded out from thousands more) of portfolios. I've also worked successfully as a freelancer for 12 years (during the Clinton years it was a nice six figure income).

If you want a professional critique of your portfolio, then I'd prefer to do that via PM. I suggest attending a good art school; Art center in Pasadena is a good one out West, while Ringling school of Art in Sarasota offers the most bang for the buck ;a BFA in 2 1/2 years-and the portfolios coming out of Ringling are excellent. I attended the Columbus College of Art and Design, but it's a 4 1/2 year degree for most students.

An internship is the best place to start after that. Many film studios offer them (mine was at Disney, obviously), Hallmark Cards also offered one in the past, though I don't know if they are still offering it. These are important because of the credentials you'll receive, as well as the all important contacts you'll make. Having friends in the right places is the best way to insure a steady flow of work, in my experience .One phone call from a hot movie producer can lead to years worth of work orders. There's a lot of talent out there, but connections and a good reputation is what builds a solid clientele.

Limit your portfolio to ten or twelve pages of your very best work. When I reviewed portfolios, I'd look at the first two pages and the last page-if those didn't grab me, I moved on to the next portfolio. The most essential elements of winning portfolio pieces are a.) great basic drawing skills, including a through understanding of anatomy. If an artist can't draw convincing hands or feet, then they won't make the cut with most art directors. b.) a strong personal style/ mastery of technique. Sometimes, if it's strong enough, it can make up for a bit that lacking in the former.

Good luck!

[Northern Experiment]

6. Lorien......

Are you in animation or illustration or both?
Right now i'm an undergrad in graphic design. Mainly focusing on print and multimedia design but I also enjoy illustration.

[Lorien]

7. Both

9answering you months later, I know...) Illustration pays better at the moment, but it wasn't always that way. It's good to have a "plan B' when you work in a creative field (heck-ANY field these days) because the sure thing one year is passe the next!

Good luck with your degree! :hi:

[nostamj]

5. pick up a copy of ARTIST'S & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MARKET

from Writers' Digest Books.

will give you TONS of into about the market(s), submission guidelines, etc.