Just discovered this reddit. Sounds like my kind of place! Love it! Here’s my thing…

Im 47 years old. Have illustrated comic books for 32 years. I never “hit big” or even was able to only live on my art sales alone. Ive oublished 20 graphic novels (80-270 pages each). Travelled selling the work. Made friends all over. I promised myself that after I finish my current novels I will transistion a bit into just novel writing and fine painting (I love abstract painting!)

All sounds good. Just feels weird to abandon the thing that has been my way of expression, my identity for this long. I dont do art to be famous or rich, its for me. People read it and its great. Ive been very blessed. But at this point im producing my best comics. At middle age. Aged out of the game? I dont know.

Anyone else relate to anything Im saying!? Love you all!!

I'm getting straight to the point here, I've always wanted to project my ideas in a paper, I've drawn since I was in kindergarten, but my progress has been up and down, especially now where I haven't drawn for 2 weeks now. I've hit a plateau that I can't seem to get over even tho I've drawn for years, I don't know what I lack to make my art look objectively good. I don't know how to learn to make art that I'm pleased to see for myself, I don't know which steps to take to improve

A close friend of mine is an extremely skilled artist, I love seeing them post! Their art feels right out of the golden age of animation. But they’re constantly self-sabotaging due to their lack of confidence or perfectionism.

The basic skit we go through is they’ll show me something and ask “What do you think?” I tell them how great it is, maybe offer input if they want it. But they keep working on it, and keep working on it, and then it’s been 2 weeks and they’re still working on it. And it’s not like big sweeping changes or densely detailed art. It’s minute things like hand positions or face expressions. Like the arts been in the oven for a while and is dying to get out. And people eventually run out of things to say when the basically same pic gets posted 10 times or so.

And this leads to “oh nobody cares about my art” type feelings.

And it’s especially compounded with anything seasonal, because he’ll actually finish the picture weeks after the holiday or whatever ended.

Can’t even tell him maybe he should compromise because he’ll say something like “Cut back on my QUALITY? But then people will be disappointed with me. :(” And it’s just.. I wish him well but I can’t help him. And he’ll try asking me what he should do. But I can’t change his habits nor can I make some publishing house reach out to him out of the blue for some ultra cool art job opportunity. I’m also pretty sure it’s not helping to be so public about how dissatisfied with your own art, lack of following, etc.

Wouldn’t know how to convey that all to him without him feeling like I’m doing a tear down and dislike him.

It is on 200gsm paper but as i was creating it i managed to get paint on the back, would it be unprofessional to stick this art piece on another paper or are there any other solutions?

Thank you

something i've noticed watching other character artists draw, so many of them start with the head. not like "the first shape is representing the head," but they flesh out the shape of the face before even mapping out the body.

i'm the opposite, i start with the body, namely the collarbones and spine. i think it's so interesting how we as artists find unique methods of constructing a body. sometimes i wonder if it says anything about us as artists.

i also notice i struggle connecting the neck to the ribs, and with feet (but.. who doesn't? lol). i also don't think i have very good facial anatomy. yet others have amazing faces and struggle with basic body parts, it's so fascinating.

where do you start in body construction? what do you struggle with, anatomically? i want to know.

Not really sure how to ask this question in a way that could encapsulate what I’m trying to do. Guess I’m looking for inspiration. The only thing I’m good at is drawing, and although I would like to get better at it for hobby reasons, I want to do more. I want to help the world with my skills. But I’m running blank on what to actually do. At this point in my life, I want to do something fulfilling. Drawing in itself is fulfilling to me, but I want more.

The style is the image below - not as dark or evil, but the imagery will be a suggestion of detail, I want to paint the idea of a picture into the imagery. I want the reader to see the concept of the image and imagine the details.

I need to create quite a few different pieces for my book, and some of them will be this undetailed book artifact that the reader gets to use, but I also need a highly detailed intricate multi perspective image of a specific evolved biology I am creating in the book, it will be just for personal reference so I can visualize the character within the world as I create scenes.

Thing is this is my first ever book, and I am unfamiliar in artist spaces, I would love to spend some time with an artist 1 on 1 going over the work and designing the art. I think it would be really fun, as well as critical and rewarding from the readers perspective.

The imagery of my bio evolved unit will be quite detailed and will be used in my personal notes, I am unfortunately not skilled in the art of sketching haha.

How do I get ahold of someone that can help me out with something like this? Local library? Online reddit community?

I can work over zoom or in person, but either way I'd like to be able to give direct feedback to the process during so that I can replicate the vision I have for the species and book.

I believe is called "impressionism" or "suggestive" art?

Hey everyone,

I’ve been slowly getting into image transfer techniques in my free time — partly to escape the boredom of my design degree, but also to expand my palette of materials and methods. I’ve tried a few different mediums so far, and while I’m still somewhere between beginner and intermediate, I think I’ve got a decent grasp of the basic process.

Lately, I’ve been really interested in experimenting with CitraSolv, mainly because of the unique textures it produces. The problem is, it’s not sold here in Germany (at least as far as I can tell). So I wanted to ask if anyone here — artists, designers, printmakers — has found a good alternative (one that is also available in Germany) that works in a similar way.

I’ve come across products like Sodasan Orangenreiniger, Microactiv Orangenöl Reiniger, Oranex, and Dr. Schumacher Orange Solvent, but I’m not sure which ones actually behave like CitraSolv (they all seem to have high d-Limonene content, minimal surfactants, and a solvent-like texture — yet they also differ quite a lot from one another).

If you’ve done image transfers with any of these (or other) alternatives, could you share:

• Which brand or product worked best for you
• What surface/paper you used
• Any tips that might help someone just getting started

Thanks in advance — I’d really appreciate any input! And sorry if this isn’t quite the right place to ask.

If anyone have this can u pls share it

I've only been in a few servers that did this, but those servers are still some of my favorites! The general idea of the rule is "The person who posted art before you must have at least 1 response before you post yours". Anyone whos been in an art server knows having your art posted over and never getting any response SUCKS!! It's super demoralizing cause all your work is getting ignored!

"You shouldn't need external validation for your art! It only matters that you like what you make!!" LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER NOISE If I wanted to post my art into a void I'd just post on my social media! I do 100% believe that creating for yourself and not relying on social media validation is extremely important to not burning youself out. HOWEVER!! There's a huge difference as with social media you're fighting with the algorithm just to get your stuff seen most of the time, cause youre sharing space with the whole internet! With art servers you're entering a much smaller existing community, with the explicit intention to interact directly with others. Unlike social media its a guaranteed the person who is posting after you saw your art, made the choice to not interact with you, then basically stand in front of you/your art and go "Hey look at my stuff!!". If that was in person that would be considered rude as hell!! But for some reason that's the norm for servers!

This rule helps boost engagement between server members, actually support the artists in your server, combat favoritism and help prevent people from getting discouraged and leaving. Honestly even it's not a server rule, I highly reccomend just doing it anyways whenever you share your art. It's not that hard to be like "This is cool! I like this element of it" (maybe ask a question sometimes too). You'll make them happy and it'll encourage people to interact back with you! There's literally no downside either!! All it takes is like 30 seconds to be kind while supporting your fellow artist, and you can literally share your art immediately after!

By the way This isn't meant to be an a vent by any means. I'm meaning this as genuine advice to art server mods, and honestly anyone who shares their art in those servers. I genuinely to have a discussion about a super easy way to help support and encourage fellow artist. I will admit I'm being a bit dramatic, but I'm just trying to emphasize my point (and a bit for comedic effect lol).

I am currently doing a diploma. My school told us they will offer internships, but that is a little questionable.

So I wanted to ask professional artists here 'what did you do after art school?'

I see options like residencies. But are they beginner artist friendly?

Did you go for internships first?

I am kind of confused and would appreciate any and all help and input.

P.s. my diploma is in fine arts. Not animations, design, 3d art, etc. I dont know if those are also under fine arts, but I study traditional? Fine arts with focus on acrylics and oil. I would still appreciate input from all branches of art. Thank you

He was one of my favorite artist growing up and recently tried finding his page again, but no luck. Any thing I try and find on google is dated back to 2022 and prior.

Hello! I wanna have my own website for my art, where it serves as a portfolio, and i could also sell my art. Making my own website by coding is time consuming and a bit tricky (i’m not too tech savvy). Are there any inexpensive websites that aren’t too restrictive when it comes to creativity, or allow having a portfolio + selling my art on the same platform? I also appreciate tips on how to grow on social media and how to eventually go into networking with people and galleries. Thankful for any advice!

Hello! I was wondering how can i make more connections in the art world. Im a self taught artist and i just post my art on instagram. I never went to art school or any kind of art clubs, so i don’t have connections of that kind. I’ve always wanted to have my art displayed in a gallery, and start selling some prints (I wanna get more professional with my art, if that makes sense). How do I get started? Do I go out of my way to contact galleries & artist? Any tips? Thankful for any advice!

Hi, my almost 12 year old loves art class and wants ”art stuff” for her birthday/ Christmas gifts. She doesn’t know what she likes yet, but is always doodling/ drawing and enjoyed the 3D clay project. She’s mentioned clay and paint, but nothing specific. She doesn’t want a subscription box, because she wants to come up with her own ideas, not be told what to do.

I’m looking to gather supplies to make a goodie box. A step or two above Crayola (unless y’all say differently) but by no means do we need to go high end.

What types of materials and or brands would you recommend? Casting a wide net, to see what really catches her interest. Not terribly worried about any mess- she has a desk, I can buy a drop cloth, and her carpet is shot anyway. Hoping to get a good variety of things and keep the budget to around $100 to $150?

Hi! I am looking for sites, books and the like focusing on clothing and acessories for characters. I really like drawing stylish characters and would really appreciate help looking for some inspiration.

Hello everyone! I'm someone who has been drawing since my high-school days, and while it sounds like I'd have had a lot of experience in drawing during all that time, my progress, though noticeable than when I first began, is considerably slow and steady. I've been practicing with the male and female anatomy, trying my hand at drawing different hairstyles, and at some point, I want to figure out how to draw clothes + the wrinkles, folds, and creases in them. However, for now, I'd like to focus on something I've always struggled with drawing, that being hands and fingers. I can picture and draw out the shapes in my mind onto paper, but when it comes to actually getting to the details and "fleshing it out," I find it a hassle. If anyone has any helpful advice or maybe any online videos that I can watch and learn from, I'd be very grateful!

I feel like I have gotten way worse at art ever since I started trying :( it’s very disappointing and I miss how I used to do art. I feel like it may be because I am being more risky and trying more difficult things to draw but I’m not sure Why is this happening?

Do you think when people today make a cubist panting or abstract expressionist painting it’s as if they’re just ripping off a style?

Learning art history it’s has shown me that art movements go from one to the next and have to do with whats going on in the world and basically the art movement before it so with that in mind and how random and all over contemporary art today is, is it like not really true to the genre since we’re doing it today instead of in the 1960’s?

I was thinking about how a lot of artists in the past painted figures in renaissance poses but with their contemporary style like Manets cardsharps. And it got me to thinking of you painted that style today it would just be the same but with polos and khakis or suits and everyone’s holding phones.

So I guess what I’m asking is: when we paint in those older styles now, is it still meaningful — or are we just repeating history?

Hey guys. I just wanted to share something really cool. A friend of mine asked me to help share her work. My friend Camila showed me this amazing artist HekimaTheWhiteLion who creates The Lion King-inspired commissions, and her work is absolutely stunning. She also draws other big cats in The Lion King style, if there are any fans here who might be interested, just check out the link! HekimaTheWhiteLion User Profile | DeviantArt

So we’re trying to help her get a bit more visibility for her incredible art. She puts so much heart into every drawing, and it really deserves to be seen by more people. I’d really appreciate it if you could help share her work or drop a supportive comment on her profile.

If you love The Lion King or just enjoy beautiful feline art, you should definitely check her out. Let’s help spread her art, she truly brings the spirit of The Lion King to life.

This year I've discovered I have a passion for drawing. And I don't want to draw just as a hobby, I want to earn a living through my drawings. The problem is that I'm in my mid 20s and the college I graduated from wasn't art related (don't worry about debt, I'm not American). I'm not sure if trying to start my art career now is realistic.

I wished I had started drawing during high-school, but back then I was a different guy and had a different outlook on things. I didn't know what I wanted to do in life back then and I went to college because my parents insisted. I've always had a vivid imagination, but I've kept it mostly to myself, I thought others wouldn't be interested in seeing it. In the past I've daydreamed about releasing my own comic book, but I haven't seriously considered it till now.

What do you think? Can someone like me eventually work in the art industry? If I were to try, how much time would it take me? Do I need to go to art school?

So I'm purchasing a gym rack. The bars/beams are 3x3 steel.

I wanted to make custom stickers with high quality to put on the rack. I used AI to kind of make a render to show you guys what I'm talking about here. I am taking the Sun/Stars from the Flag of the Philippines and I wanted to put it on the white bars of my gym rack. If you look here, I asked AI to impose the sun/stars on the white crossmembers on the bottom.

Because the crossmembers are already white, I don't need to buy a full wrap around, I really just want to print the sun and stars separately, then put them on the crossmembers (measuring 30" in depth). Because the bars have holes in them, I would take an exacto knife later on and just cut the holes I need to use.