[Cj_Marsh]

Hi everyone, like some of you out there im starting this thread out of curiosity wanting to know how did some of you big names out there get started and what do you suggest on how us artists get started on making this a career for ourselves. Im by no means the greatest artist but i am wondering basicly what do i do to become a great freelance artist and how do i make it into a career, were do i look, and how should i go about it? Im not sure if there is a thread like this and if so delete this one but any incite from you big guys would be wonderful and helpful.

[Storytellerg]

Question to my fellow freelancers what method do you use to find
and secure work for example I go to local business and pitch my services. what do you guys do?

Thank you.

[kmksunfire]

http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/201...ide-of-design/

http://www.motionworks.com.au/category/bod/

a couple of links I find benificial. geared towards motion graphics, but the business of design, is business of design, whether its concept art or broadcast design

Refine your talent and tools first, when you have a portfolio(finished) then I would pursue freelance.

note: I have never done any freelance besides some logos for friends, still trying to break through myself

[love2u]

@ Undeadartist

The first step towards a career as a freelance artist is to set up a website where you can display your portfolio and show what you're worth. Take great care to design your logo and the graphics of your website the best you can. Second step it to promote yourself on the different social media sites, especially Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Finally, sign up with oDesk and Elance and try applying for freelance graphics jobs.

[love2u]

There are three steps for getting freelance work: [1] presenting yourself cyberspace to the general public, [2] promoting yourself, and [3] applying for freelance jobs on online market places.

[1] Create your own unique website where you can display your art work.
[2] Use the social media (especially Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Flickr) to promote yourself and your website.
[3] Try applying for freelance assignments on oDestk, Elance etc.

[Cj_Marsh]

Hey my question is for any artists out there who have worked for or are working for Lucas arts, and im just kind of curious how would one go about getting a job there, does college matter? and if you could check out some of my art work if im actually at the skill level for that yet its ok to be harsh i know im not the greatest but i would like to know what i need to do to get to that point, so anyone able to give me any answers would be really great full!

[kovah]

Originally Posted by Undeadartist

Hey my question is for any artists out there who have worked for or are working for Lucas arts, and im just kind of curious how would one go about getting a job there, does college matter? and if you could check out some of my art work if im actually at the skill level for that yet its ok to be harsh i know im not the greatest but i would like to know what i need to do to get to that point, so anyone able to give me any answers would be really great full!

I did a bit of research, it seems there are a lot of artists who work for lucasarts have also done work for wizards of the coast such as this guy - http://www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?o...&creatorid=254 Both are very very very high level of art and honestly I think you are a fair way away from that, you still struggle with anatomy and your images lack the clean lines and sudden impact that the high level images use to draw people in.

The images on the banner here are perhaps a visual representative of the kind of standard you should probably start aiming for in the mean time try and get some commission/freelance experience with some indie rpg games and similar which will help you to get the feel of working for clients rather than yourself.

[Cj_Marsh]

Thanks kovah and i agree im faaaaaar from working there i just kinda wanted to get a feel for the direction i need to go thanks for the help

[Qitsune]

A few years ago I went to MIGS and I talked the HR ppl who were at the Lucas Art booth. They were very nice and told me what they were looking for. At the time they were only recruiting for 3d positions(of which there are way more than concept artists.) Basically, they didn't ask more or less than other companies like Ubi or EA. THe competiton might be stiffer depending on if you are applying in a very popular studio, but other than that it's the same process to get there.

My advice is to look at the smaller studios in your area that might not get 20489568 resumes everyday and work your way up from there. Or maybe not, maybe you will love it and want to stay there.

[Dona]

Hi Undeadartist, I wouldn't say you're quite there yet, but that doesn't mean you won't be! I looked at your portfolio and I'd suggest expanding your horizons and drawing absolutely everything. Right now the majority of paintings represent various monsters. Sure, you can pull a Dave Rapoza and specialise in monsters, but remember to study different things, from nature to animals to objects, to make sure you have strong concepts and wide variety in designs.

Good luck!

[Peter_Coene]

Originally Posted by Dona

Right now the majority of paintings represent various monsters. Sure, you can pull a Dave Rapoza and specialise in monsters, but remember to study different things, from nature to animals to objects, to make sure you have strong concepts and wide variety in designs.

Of course, if Rapoza is already doing that job then there isn't as much need for ANOTHER concept artist who only draws monsters. And think of it, even if you get good doing it you'll be known as "the next Dave Rapoza." I don't know about you but I'd rather be known as the one and only.

[Cj_Marsh]

hey guys thanks for the kind words! Its a little tough for me atm im trying to get better with studies but i needed to take a non art related job thats 3rd shift and it taks SOOOOO much of my study time away but im still trying so hopefully that will prove to be something. I was currious where you guys think i should look into for small time freelance cause im having a bit of trouble with that i really am not sure were to start i have been submitting around elance and odesk but is there other places i should look at???

[Dona]

Originally Posted by Peter_Coene

Of course, if Rapoza is already doing that job then there isn't as much need for ANOTHER concept artist who only draws monsters. And think of it, even if you get good doing it you'll be known as "the next Dave Rapoza." I don't know about you but I'd rather be known as the one and only.

Why are you being so negative? Is every fantasy artist 'the new Frazetta' or 'the new Linda Bergkvist'? Dave isn't the only person in the world who loves painting monsters and I'm sure others have the ability to design their own monsters and find their place under the sun without being compared to someone else who happens to be doing the same thing.

If you're looking to be "the one and only", good luck re-inventing the wheel. Human brain is incapable of coming up with something that it hasn't experienced before, in one way or another. Like someone said once, "If you want to make apple pie from scratch, you will have to invent the Universe again." Good ideas are 'just' two existing things put together in a clever and creative way. Nothing more, nothing less.

Undeadartist, I can't help you much there. Perhaps contact some art e-magazines and see if you can get your art published there. Everything counts. Keep going.

[Azium]

Dona has a point, doing just one thing makes it that much harder to wiggle your way into an art position. I say wiggle because there's bound to be elbows and fists flying, kinda like the rush at the entrance of a department store on Black Friday. Try not to be the one that's trampled and sent to the ER.

Back in February I attended the Game Connection convention in San Francisco, California. I attended to market myself more, and even though I'm more of a writer the lessons remains the same. Every one wants variety, studios want some one who's versatile to save on money, time, payroll taxes, and soda. God only knows a soda shortage in a studio would be catastrophic, and there is no healing potion for Nerf dart wounds. All joking aside though, take Dona's advice and expand your portfolio with different subjects and studies.

As for freelance, never done it so I can't say much about it. But what I can say is this, draw off fellow artists and inspirations if you ever get stuck. And Qitsune has the right idea. Aim for a smaller studio, they can be either a stepping stone to get to a larger studio like Lucas Arts or maybe you can call one home. One thing I can say about smaller studios is that if you do get in while its young and fresh, you have a much better chance of gaining lead of the department. It all depends on your goals.

To end my rambling, I'll sum it up. Variety makes a flavorful portfolio that can have the decision makers salivating for more.

[Peter_Coene]

Originally Posted by Dona

Why are you being so negative? Is every fantasy artist 'the new Frazetta' or 'the new Linda Bergkvist'? Dave isn't the only person in the world who loves painting monsters and I'm sure others have the ability to design their own monsters and find their place under the sun without being compared to someone else who happens to be doing the same thing.

If you're looking to be "the one and only", good luck re-inventing the wheel. Human brain is incapable of coming up with something that it hasn't experienced before, in one way or another. Like someone said once, "If you want to make apple pie from scratch, you will have to invent the Universe again." Good ideas are 'just' two existing things put together in a clever and creative way. Nothing more, nothing less.

Undeadartist, I can't help you much there. Perhaps contact some art e-magazines and see if you can get your art published there. Everything counts. Keep going.

That's a very good point but I think you misunderstood what I was trying to get at.

I'm not saying to reinvent the wheel, but rather that an artist needs to be well rounded, and that only learning by emulating one artist will make you look like a copycat of that one artist. Studying a multitude, on the other hand, will give you a chance to find what you like from many and have a wide and varied skillset.

Nobody ever gets that far copying JUST ONE artist. In the end, your art will always look like a copy, and that copy will be of the way they were drawing years ago. They have already progressed beyond the point that you are trying to emulate, and even if they hadn't, there is always something that is lost in the process of emulation, the result of things that they know and you don't.

However, if you learn from everything you can possibly get your hands on you create your own set of knowledge. Those holes in understanding that you got from emulating one artist get filled by what you learn from another.

In the end, there is a chance you will get pigeonholed anyways. You did one job, other people liked it, so you get other jobs doing something similar. If that makes you the monster guy then so be it, but if you learned by looking everywhere you will still be unique compared to that-guy-who does-work-that-looks-like-that-famous-guy's.