Art by Chris Akins
Am I stealing images? How should I approach an agent? And what if I’m too tired to make art? Jake Parker, Lee White, and Will Terry answer these questions in this week’s episode.
Quick tips on asking good questions:
Ask general questions many people can benefit from
Keep it succinct; aim for two paragraphs or less (we love bullet points!)
Keep in mind that it can take weeks or months for us to get to your question; if you need immediate help, this isn't the place!
Note: We’ve done our best to provide relevant links to products mentioned in this podcast. SVSLearn and the 3 Point Perspective podcast are supported by qualifying purchases. Thank you for your patronage!
SHOW LINKS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
When talking to agents, be ready to present multiple ideas
Use reference photos for information and inspiration, not as something to copy
Learn when you’re most energized and creative and dedicate that time to art
Not every hobby needs to become a career
QUESTIONS
Julia asks: "Over three years ago an agent expressed interest in representing me and asked to see a dummy. I told her it wasn't ready but that I'd get back to her when it was, only I never did. This year I want to get my work out there and find an agent. Should I reach out to that agent, and if I do, should I reference our previous interaction, or not say anything as I may have looked unprofessional?"
Agents want to invest in your career, not just one-and-done projects. To prove you're professional and ready to hit the ground running, work up a second or third manuscript so you have multiple to show this agent. This will demonstrate that you're self-motivated and have several usable ideas. Alternately, you can send her your existing manuscript and let her know that while you weren't ready the last time you talked, you are now, and you're reaching out to her and several other agents to see if they're interested. This agent will likely care more that you have clear, edited ideas and a body of good work than that you waited to get back to her. If you have her attention, use it!
Ben asks: "I want to use references to make my drawings better, but I'm not sure how much I need to change them to prevent stealing someone else's work. Any tips?"
Not every image is legal to use as a reference photo. When using references, you want to be sure your resulting work looks substantially different from your references. Here are a few tips:
Combine several photos using Photoshop
Copy poses, but change details like color and lighting
Draw from reference, then from your drawings, making conscious choices to change and stylize different elements
Take your own reference photos
There's nothing wrong with using references (illustrator James Gurney does it all the time), but unless your style is very representational, flirt with your references rather than marrying them. Get the bare minimum of what you need, and make it your own from there. If you do that, you're pretty safe to use most images, so long as your resulting work cannot be easily associated with your references.
Casey asks: "I'm a fairly above-average illustrator. I love making art and want to turn pro, but after a long day at work, it's hard for me to create instead of relaxing. I feel bad for wasting my time and not making art. How do I cultivate a work ethic? How can I create my own drive and focus?"
Everyone has different energy patterns throughout the day. If you're ready to relax at night, try getting up early to make art before work. Look for windows during your day (like your lunch break) to draw. As much as possible, only accept projects that excite you. Keep in mind that even within the most enjoyable projects, some parts of the process will be more difficult or less fun than others. Match high-energy tasks to high-energy days, and reserve easier work for low-energy days.
Don't beat yourself up for not having much creative energy after a long day at your full-time job; that's completely normal. Instead, use these tips to help you find better times and ways to work. Experiment with external pressure, whether it's a deadline you need to meet, a show you have to prepare for, or a person to whom you're accountable. Limit your materials to reduce your overwhelm. Focus on what you can complete in one month, and remember to reward yourself when you finish a project!
Take a cue from comic artist Todd MacFarlane, whose daily prayer was "Finish a page." Break down your large projects into small, straightforward tasks that you can do every day. Know that starting is the hardest part, but you can train yourself to produce more than you currently think you can. Will recommends watching The Pursuit of Happyness for inspiration.
Finally, consider that you might enjoy art more as a hobby than a career. You don't have to force yourself to be a professional illustrator if it takes away your joy in creating.
LINKS
Jake Parker: mrjakeparker.com. Instagram: @jakeparker, Youtube: JakeParker44
Will Terry: willterry.com. Instagram: @willterryart, Youtube: WillTerryArt
Lee White: leewhiteillustration.com. Instagram: @leewhiteillo
Produced by Daniel Tu: danieltu.co.
Shownotes by Lily Camille
If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, and let us know your thoughts or if you learned something new!
If you want to be a part of the discussion and have your voice heard, join us at forum.svslearn.com.