I’ve been an illustrator for 2 years now. I’m still very
green in the industry and I know I have so many things to learn but the fact is
I’m not letting any of that stop me because being an illustrator is what I want
to do.
It’s all I think about every day, all day long.
I’ve done a lot of research to try and figure out the exact
game plan of what I should do.
What’s the best way to jump-start my career? What’s the best
pencil? Best paper? How long to draw? Perfect way to practice? Best Photoshop
brush? What’s the best computer program?
I thought if I could just find that one perfect tutorial or
that one step-by-step process my art would somehow be amazing.
I’ve asked many artists for guidance and help in trying to
figure out the best plan to get my work created. The ones that were able to
respond came back graciously and gave various suggestions and tips.
None of them helped.
To begin with it was frustrating but the more I thought
about it, the more it made sense.
They can’t tell me how I should do my work. They can only
offer guidance on how they create theirs but it’s still up to me to create my
own art.
And you only find out what works for you…by doing the work
and experimenting with different methods!
I found out that the perfect method is whatever method YOU
use that will help YOU create YOUR work.
That involves hard work and determination on my part.
The thing I struggle with the most is I am absolutely
terrified when I sit in front of my drawing table or my computer. Why? Because the
image I have in my head may or may not appear on the canvas.
The more I created, the more I realized it’s okay if it
doesn’t match. Eventually it will. Or it will be even better.
I have to remind myself that I’ve learned so much these past
2 years and 10 years from now I’ll look back and will have learned so much
more.
I am learning to be happy with my progress but I never want
to allow myself to be satisfied. I want to keep pushing myself to make better
art.
I worry my work won’t be accepted. I’m afraid that I’ll
spend 30 hours on a piece and not one person will notice. I’m terrified that I’ll
keep sending my work to publishers, agents, and reps but nothing will come of
it. These are all normal fears I deal with on a daily basis.
