Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Key skills needed to become an Illustrator.
The skills required for any Illustrator are a high degree of competence in drawing, designing and having a professional approach towards every project taken on. My particular area of Illustration requires good - excellent drawing skills, original ideas and a fresh approach to rendering an image and communicating information through the use of visual language. Besides the technical and arty side of things any area of Illustration also requires a great deal of social interaction with potential clients and customers.
As well as scouring various websites on the skills required to become an Illustrator I came across a thread on a forum site asking for the key skills needed to become a professional Illustrator.
Heres what I found:
"What are the top 3 traits or skills every illustrator must have to excel?
Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your illustrator expertise? "
Here is R.L. in Adelaide, Australia's reply. (An Illustrator based in Australia.)
" I'm sorry, but I have to put more than just 3.
1) The ability to acknowledge and understand other artworks and artists.
2) Being able to create artwork that can portray different meanings.
3) Knowing the general artistic techniques
4) Patience - not everything works out the way you want it to.
5) Take criticism - you are not creating artwork just for yourself.
6) Able to work under pressure - as you need to meet deadlines.
7) Work with different mediums.
8) creating a style that everyone will know you for (not necessarily if you want more of a range).
I can't think of more right now, but these (I guess) are essential to become the illustrator that everyone wants to hire.
Good Luck! "
Although this is quite a generalized answer and not very genre specific, it does highlights the key skill requirements and gives some very informative feedback.
I think I have the basis to most of these key skills. All I have to do now is develop them further and learn from other Illustrators. I do think a weakness for me is the transition to using other media and material I haven't used before as I have somewhat trapped myself in a preferred media comfort zone. But I think realizing this issue is a step in the right direction.
Here is a link I found that explains the fundamentals of what being an Illustrator is all about: http://education-portal.com/how_to_become_an_illustrator.html
As well as scouring various websites on the skills required to become an Illustrator I came across a thread on a forum site asking for the key skills needed to become a professional Illustrator.
Heres what I found:
"What are the top 3 traits or skills every illustrator must have to excel?
Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your illustrator expertise? "
Here is R.L. in Adelaide, Australia's reply. (An Illustrator based in Australia.)
" I'm sorry, but I have to put more than just 3.
1) The ability to acknowledge and understand other artworks and artists.
2) Being able to create artwork that can portray different meanings.
3) Knowing the general artistic techniques
4) Patience - not everything works out the way you want it to.
5) Take criticism - you are not creating artwork just for yourself.
6) Able to work under pressure - as you need to meet deadlines.
7) Work with different mediums.
8) creating a style that everyone will know you for (not necessarily if you want more of a range).
I can't think of more right now, but these (I guess) are essential to become the illustrator that everyone wants to hire.
Good Luck! "
Although this is quite a generalized answer and not very genre specific, it does highlights the key skill requirements and gives some very informative feedback.
I think I have the basis to most of these key skills. All I have to do now is develop them further and learn from other Illustrators. I do think a weakness for me is the transition to using other media and material I haven't used before as I have somewhat trapped myself in a preferred media comfort zone. But I think realizing this issue is a step in the right direction.
Here is a link I found that explains the fundamentals of what being an Illustrator is all about: http://education-portal.com/how_to_become_an_illustrator.html
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Exocative marks
These are a few life drawings I did with Jake (drawing tutor). We worked in various mediums from pen, pencil, graphite to charcoal chalk and pastels. We observed a variety of postures from our model Steve :) and used lots of different mark making techniques. At one point everyone made a different mark using a medium of their chose on a board with each mark being next to a different number.We then chose randomly from a hat of numbers to determine which mark we would have to use to render the next drawing. This exercise was very exploratory for me and at first I thought it would be difficult because the mark i had unknowingly chosen was a star :) yes, a star. Fair enough to who ever put it up there because it was challenging but come on, really? ☆. So anyway, the top right drawing is the result of many small stars done with a fine pen.My personal favorite from the drawings that I did in the session is the above left, I feel that i really captured the posture and the way the hand was hanging, and also the light reflecting from the top of the skull. I also really liked using this opaque white chalk on black paper as it gave a really ghostly texture to the drawing.
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Ghostly imagery and print making :)
Hey, haven't made a post in quite a while just thought I would give my effort a bit of a show off so here it goes. Below are a few drawings and final prints from the print process workshop with maria.
top left: The view from my flat window. This image was produced using an etching technique, I really like the foggy effect the left over ink lends to the illustration.
Top right: A line drawing of me as a child participating in my aunties wedding as a page boy. I liked the amount of information I was able to communicate here with the use of just lines and contours with very little shading. This drawing will be used for a transfer print sometime this week. I may have to make the lines stronger as previous work with such thin lines has not had amazing results in the printing process.
Below left: A simplified lino print version of the view from my window. This is quite a contrast for me as I like to work in detail but I feel that this workshop bought out the simplistic version of my work and I really like the way the image turned out anyway.
Below right: A drawing of my nephew (with whom i used to live) wearing a novelty hat on holiday. I used a mixture of fine line to highlight the subjects features and thick dark areas around the focal point to push the image forward. I am not sure if this is finished yet, I do like it as it is though. This drawing will also be used this week for a transfer print.
Here is a second drawing of Aayliah complete with plane crash related injuries but with hair and eye intact. I think the eye communicates a sense of knowing and acceptance of death and also contrasts with the rest of the image as it is her only untouched feature.
Maybe this is telling the viewer something about the context of death as a whole?
top left: The view from my flat window. This image was produced using an etching technique, I really like the foggy effect the left over ink lends to the illustration.
Top right: A line drawing of me as a child participating in my aunties wedding as a page boy. I liked the amount of information I was able to communicate here with the use of just lines and contours with very little shading. This drawing will be used for a transfer print sometime this week. I may have to make the lines stronger as previous work with such thin lines has not had amazing results in the printing process.
Below left: A simplified lino print version of the view from my window. This is quite a contrast for me as I like to work in detail but I feel that this workshop bought out the simplistic version of my work and I really like the way the image turned out anyway.
Below right: A drawing of my nephew (with whom i used to live) wearing a novelty hat on holiday. I used a mixture of fine line to highlight the subjects features and thick dark areas around the focal point to push the image forward. I am not sure if this is finished yet, I do like it as it is though. This drawing will also be used this week for a transfer print.
To the left is a pencil drawing that I spent quite a long time on. It is a rendition of Aayliah, a deceased R&B singer. I chose this person as my subject for project "boo" because of the contrast it will communicate between beauty and death and not only that, but she died in quite an horrific plane crash so there are a lot of possibilities as to where I could take this project next.
Maybe this is telling the viewer something about the context of death as a whole?
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Jobs and opportunities in my area
Below is collection of useful links to job and work experience opportunities in the creative industry:
http://www.heartagency.com/
Heart agency is a high profile illustration agency based in London and New York. They currently employ 32 professionally trained artists who have been taught together or worked at one another's side at one point in their careers. Although this type of employment is a world away for me, this is the type of illustrator I aspire to be. A high profile, refined and professional artist, working through an agency alongside other creative people who share the same ideas and interests as me.
http://www.designerstalk.com/
Designer talk is a forum website dedicated to helping budding illustrators and artists. Any illustrator can post a thread to the website and gain various responses, links, advice and sometimes even the odd commission!
DT bustles with young artists and creative minds looking for a break into the illustration community or somebody to employ them for the skills have.
One such example is a typographer by the name of Mark Webber:
"hello, my name is Mark Webber,
i am wanting to be freelance.. illustration and have my own style going on.. which is linocut typography.. but i am not sure of how to go about getting jobs!.. and was wondering if anyone could fill me in... i have been studying graphic design for 6 years now.. and after all that it lead me to knowing that illustration/design is the area that i do my best in... i have done quite well for myself.. but since i studied graphic design and not illustration i cant say that i am that prepared for the world of illustration.. so yea i have hard of buying space in an illustration book? or does anyone know of any good agents to approach with my work!.. anything i should be weary of?"
Webber also left a link to some of his work, and well, to say the least I was very surprised. His work is amazing, typography has never been a huge passion or interest for me but his ideas are original and his work is vibrant and eye catching. I love it. - http://www.flickr.com/photos/markandrewwebber/sets/72157603892334695/
http://www.bristoldirectory.co.uk/2d-illustration-agency/
I found this agency in the Bristol directory. It did not post much information about the agency but i thought it was relevant as it is in my immediate region/area. 2D illustration agency is a modest, locally run agency for artists and illustrators in the Bristol area.
2D Illustration Agency
Mulberry House Sandy Lane
Bristol
Avon
BS8 3SQ
Listed below are a few more links to employment opportunities in and around Bristol.
http://www.bristolcreatives.co.uk/jobs
http://www.blogger.com/goog_1841654814
http://www.zwol.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4492&sid=14d1f694fe29f37ea0945dbd65bd5ba6
http://www.blogger.com/goog_1841654808
http://www.heartagency.com/
Heart agency is a high profile illustration agency based in London and New York. They currently employ 32 professionally trained artists who have been taught together or worked at one another's side at one point in their careers. Although this type of employment is a world away for me, this is the type of illustrator I aspire to be. A high profile, refined and professional artist, working through an agency alongside other creative people who share the same ideas and interests as me.
http://www.designerstalk.com/
Designer talk is a forum website dedicated to helping budding illustrators and artists. Any illustrator can post a thread to the website and gain various responses, links, advice and sometimes even the odd commission!
DT bustles with young artists and creative minds looking for a break into the illustration community or somebody to employ them for the skills have.
One such example is a typographer by the name of Mark Webber:
"hello, my name is Mark Webber,
i am wanting to be freelance.. illustration and have my own style going on.. which is linocut typography.. but i am not sure of how to go about getting jobs!.. and was wondering if anyone could fill me in... i have been studying graphic design for 6 years now.. and after all that it lead me to knowing that illustration/design is the area that i do my best in... i have done quite well for myself.. but since i studied graphic design and not illustration i cant say that i am that prepared for the world of illustration.. so yea i have hard of buying space in an illustration book? or does anyone know of any good agents to approach with my work!.. anything i should be weary of?"
Webber also left a link to some of his work, and well, to say the least I was very surprised. His work is amazing, typography has never been a huge passion or interest for me but his ideas are original and his work is vibrant and eye catching. I love it. - http://www.flickr.com/photos/markandrewwebber/sets/72157603892334695/
http://www.bristoldirectory.co.uk/2d-illustration-agency/
I found this agency in the Bristol directory. It did not post much information about the agency but i thought it was relevant as it is in my immediate region/area. 2D illustration agency is a modest, locally run agency for artists and illustrators in the Bristol area.
2D Illustration Agency
Mulberry House Sandy Lane
Bristol
Avon
BS8 3SQ
Listed below are a few more links to employment opportunities in and around Bristol.
http://www.bristolcreatives.co.uk/jobs
http://www.blogger.com/goog_1841654814
http://www.zwol.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4492&sid=14d1f694fe29f37ea0945dbd65bd5ba6
http://www.blogger.com/goog_1841654808
Thursday, 3 November 2011
An E-interview with Amer Ali Shihab. Horror and Conceptual Illustrator.
Various links to Amer's work....
http://www.facebook.com/amershihab
http://www.myspace.com/deadarms1
http://scary-art.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DeadArms-Artwork/105719790706?ref=ts
Amer Ali Shihab is a Horror/Macabre Illustrator originally from Bristol. He now lives in Los Angeles creating and selling his works at various exhibitions, shows and comic con events. I recently contacted Amer for a question and answer session. Heres what he had to say.
Me: how did you get in to art and illustration?
Amer: I have drawn for as long as I can remember, and have always been influenced by horror movies and games. I always kept my work private. until I realized in 2006 that there was a strong audience and market for horror art. I got a lot of exposure though the use of Myspace and other social networking sites.
Me: what advice would you give to an illustrator who is just starting out?
Amer: My advice would be to just keep pushing yourself, meet as many people as you can and work with them, make contacts and friends, realise that there are so many artists out there who are on the same boat as you are. Working as a collective is key to get more exposure and to feel like part of an important movement.
Me: how are you establishing a career path for yourself as an artist/illustrator?
Amer: I am currently back at college doing an access course, which will hopefully get me into university to do a game design course which I am very interested in. I chose this course because it offers so many opportunities for an artistic career.
Me: How difficult do you find it to make a living from the work your producing?
I have achieved so much through my art, but unfortunately It is very hard to make money and survive from it. I always believe that if you are truly going to chase your dream to it's full extent, then you have to sacrifice so much in order to get anything back out of it. I'm pretty much just enjoying the ride and letting the art guide me.
I am happy with the exposure my artwork has gained, and nothing can ever take that away!
Me: Thanks so much for the great answers Amer your a great inspiration and your work is fantastic. Much love.
Amer: Cheers Joe, I will have to share your Art folder on my page soon, you got some fantastic stuff man and I wish you all the best, hope that was enough information for you, anything else, feel free to hit me up!
-Amer
http://www.facebook.com/amershihab
http://www.myspace.com/deadarms1
http://scary-art.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DeadArms-Artwork/105719790706?ref=ts
Amer Ali Shihab is a Horror/Macabre Illustrator originally from Bristol. He now lives in Los Angeles creating and selling his works at various exhibitions, shows and comic con events. I recently contacted Amer for a question and answer session. Heres what he had to say.
Me: how did you get in to art and illustration?
Amer: I have drawn for as long as I can remember, and have always been influenced by horror movies and games. I always kept my work private. until I realized in 2006 that there was a strong audience and market for horror art. I got a lot of exposure though the use of Myspace and other social networking sites.
Me: what advice would you give to an illustrator who is just starting out?
Amer: My advice would be to just keep pushing yourself, meet as many people as you can and work with them, make contacts and friends, realise that there are so many artists out there who are on the same boat as you are. Working as a collective is key to get more exposure and to feel like part of an important movement.
Me: how are you establishing a career path for yourself as an artist/illustrator?
Amer: I am currently back at college doing an access course, which will hopefully get me into university to do a game design course which I am very interested in. I chose this course because it offers so many opportunities for an artistic career.
Me: How difficult do you find it to make a living from the work your producing?
I have achieved so much through my art, but unfortunately It is very hard to make money and survive from it. I always believe that if you are truly going to chase your dream to it's full extent, then you have to sacrifice so much in order to get anything back out of it. I'm pretty much just enjoying the ride and letting the art guide me.
I am happy with the exposure my artwork has gained, and nothing can ever take that away!
Me: Thanks so much for the great answers Amer your a great inspiration and your work is fantastic. Much love.
Amer: Cheers Joe, I will have to share your Art folder on my page soon, you got some fantastic stuff man and I wish you all the best, hope that was enough information for you, anything else, feel free to hit me up!
-Amer
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
E-interview with Amer Ali Shihab: horror Illustrator and painter.
Me: So how did you get in to art and illustration?
Amer: I have drawn for as long as I can remember, and have always been influenced by horror movies and games.I always kept my work private. until I realized in 2006 that there was a strong audience and market for horror art. I got a lot of exposure though the use of Myspace and other social networking sites.
Me: what advice would you give to an illustrator who is just starting out?
Amer: My advice would be to just keep pushing yourself, meet as many people as you can and work with them, make contacts and friends, realize that there are so many artists out there who are on the same boat as you are. Working as a collective is key to get more exposure and to feel like part of an important movement.
Me: how are you establishing a career path for yourself as an artist/illustrator?
Amer: I am currently back at college doing an access course, which will hopefully get me into university to do a game design course which I am very interested in. I chose this course because it offers so many opportunities for an artistic career.
Me: Do you find it difficult you make a living from your work?
Amer: I have achieved so much through my art, but unfortunately It is very hard to make money and survive from it. I always believe that if you are truly going to chase your dream to it's full extent, then you have to sacrifice so much in order to get anything back out of it. I'm pretty much just enjoying the ride and letting the art guide me.I am happy with the exposure my artwork has gained, and nothing can ever take that away!
Cheers Joe, I will have to share your Art folder on my page soon, you got some fantastic stuff man and I wish you all the best, hope that was enough information for you, anything else, feel free to hit me up!
- Amer
Amer: I have drawn for as long as I can remember, and have always been influenced by horror movies and games.I always kept my work private. until I realized in 2006 that there was a strong audience and market for horror art. I got a lot of exposure though the use of Myspace and other social networking sites.
Me: what advice would you give to an illustrator who is just starting out?
Amer: My advice would be to just keep pushing yourself, meet as many people as you can and work with them, make contacts and friends, realize that there are so many artists out there who are on the same boat as you are. Working as a collective is key to get more exposure and to feel like part of an important movement.
Me: how are you establishing a career path for yourself as an artist/illustrator?
Amer: I am currently back at college doing an access course, which will hopefully get me into university to do a game design course which I am very interested in. I chose this course because it offers so many opportunities for an artistic career.
Me: Do you find it difficult you make a living from your work?
Amer: I have achieved so much through my art, but unfortunately It is very hard to make money and survive from it. I always believe that if you are truly going to chase your dream to it's full extent, then you have to sacrifice so much in order to get anything back out of it. I'm pretty much just enjoying the ride and letting the art guide me.I am happy with the exposure my artwork has gained, and nothing can ever take that away!
Cheers Joe, I will have to share your Art folder on my page soon, you got some fantastic stuff man and I wish you all the best, hope that was enough information for you, anything else, feel free to hit me up!
- Amer
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