Art by Analise Black
Why are my paintings worse than my sketches? Can I grind and still take care of myself? How do I conquer imposter syndrome? Explore answers to these questions and more with Jake Parker, Lee White, and Will Terry.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
The antidote to imposter syndrome is taking your eyes off yourself and serving others with your art.
Your mind and body are your most irreplaceable illustration tools, so take good care of them.
Taking a low-paying job today doesn’t have to mean selling yourself short over the long haul.
QUESTIONS
Danielle asks, “Have you experienced imposter syndrome as an artist? How did you overcome it?”
Even the most successful artists experience imposter syndrome on occasion. The best way to overcome it is to remember your purpose. Who do you want to serve? Focusing on that audience allows you to stop worrying about what anyone else thinks. If your true fans are happy, you’ve succeeded, regardless of what other people say.
It’s easy to feel like an imposter when you compare yourself to the awe-inspiring talent on social media. Stop moaning about your comparative inadequacies and focus on what you can control: your work habits. Creating every day is one of the best antidotes to imposter syndrome.
Ireen asks, “Many artists prioritize the grind and overlook their physical health. Do you have any regimens to keep your arms, wrists, and eyes in tip-top shape?”
Your mind and body are your greatest assets as an illustrator, so it’s important to look after them! Be proactive about your health, and prioritize movement, sunlight, and sleep. It will take time away from the drawing table in the short term, but it will extend your creative lifespan.
It may also be wise to purchase a standing desk or arm supports if you’re drawing daily for long periods. Although a stylus or pencil may not seem like much weight, drawing consistently will cause strain on your body, so proper support is a must. Check out Facebook Marketplace for discounted tables and supports.
Getting your career off the ground will require a season of grinding, but you are not meant to live like that forever. Prioritize time to take care of your health, even on busy days, and enjoy a sustainable career that lasts as many years as you do.
Jason asks, “If you had to choose, based purely on illustration, what is your favorite children's picture book?”
Jake: Rules of Summer, The Brave Little Tailor
Lee: The Red Tree, The Polar Express, Strange Child
Will: Jack and the Baked Beanstalk
Pamela asks, “Why can’t I paint my sketches? I tend to lose the energy of my lines if I add paint or ink (even digitally). Any tips?”
We recommend embracing your linework and integrating it with your painting process. In Photoshop, you can do this with layer masks, which allow you to color your linework and expose it in certain areas while covering it in others.
Study Brett Helquist, who uses paint as line throughout his work. Maybe you’ll find some ideas you can borrow.
Bailey asks, “What are your thoughts on lowering your rates when you're starting out before you have much of a work history?”
At the beginning of your art career, you’ll likely need to take low-paying jobs just to cover rent. That doesn’t mean your work isn’t worth more, and eventually your rates will reflect that. When you’re starting out, offer your clients line item discounts. This allows you to accept small jobs while preparing clients for what they can expect to pay you as time goes on.
With each new client, you can raise your rates a bit more. You can also use these low-paying projects to round out your portfolio and hopefully attract more lucrative work in the future.
LINKS
Jake Parker: mrjakeparker.com. Instagram: @jakeparker, Youtube: JakeParker44
Will Terry: willterry.com. Instagram: @willterryart, Youtube: WillTerryArt
Lee White: leewhiteillustration.com. Instagram: @leewhiteillo
Daniel Tu: danieltu.co.
Lily Camille Howell: lilycamille.com
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