Introduction
As a new year beckons I’m pleased to say its been a great year and I’ve got a lot done. Slowly but surely progress is being made and I will leave this year more than satisfied. Since my last post, I’ve been working on finding a better work-study balance. It’s been tough, but I’ve been able to stick to a schedule and get things done. But, you know how it is, it’s like one step forward and two steps back. I’ve learned that’s just the way things are when you’re trying something new. So, I’m trying to stay positive and not get discouraged.
Though I have allotted my time to studying, reading and producing art, most of my time in recent months has been devoted to finding ways of being more efficient. This means tackling administrative tasks and laying the groundwork for the future. Finding new ways to increase organisation, speed and productivity. As I go into the new year I feel more prepared and there’s a lot less clutter and a lot more clarity. If you want to achieve something well, I believe it’s best to be as prepared as possible. However, like anything else, you have to know when to draw a line and move on.
Art Study
Negotiating fixed days and working hours at my part-time job has significantly improved my schedule. At work, I strive to be productive, avoid unnecessary drama, and leave as soon as possible, as time is of the essence. Although most of my time has been dedicated to resolving loose ends and enhancing my efficiency, I have also made progress in my art studies.
I have acquired many books and resources that I plan to study. I have already completed the Famous Artists cartoon Course, but now I’m working on The Famous Artists Course that was originally a correspondence course from 1948. The course initially appealed to me because it covers traditional illustration techniques and mediums. Though much of the information throughout the course is stuff I have learnt or should already know it has been a welcome refresher. Such things as art fundamentals and colour theory will always be relevant. However, there are instances when something you do without fully understanding the reason behind it is articulated and explained. It's like confirmation that you're not a complete amateur. Then there are times when you're truly blown away by what you have learned and your creative horizon expands.
The course is made up of chapters. Since October I have been focused on ”Figure Composition“ and ”Forms, Textures and Surfaces”. The chapters are full of information. It's difficult to absorb all the information through reading alone. Throughout the course I have created fact sheets to break down the information and practice techniques as I learn. These can be used as reference in the future. However I think the best way to learn these skills is to practice them religiously until they become second nature.
Illustration Portfolio Development
The Illustrators Guide.
The Illustrators Guide - written by James Hughes, has a wealth of useful information for aspiring illustrators.The book in general is made up of sixteen chapters, each filled with a breakdown of facts and references to follow. The chapters cover various aspects, including start-up essentials, working with clients, and pricing your work. It's a good introduction to the industry and what to expect. Reading this book has given me more confidence to go further and focus on the right objectives. As a result, I have even bought two more books recommended by the Illustrators Guide for further reading and guidance. I have a hardback version of the book that is approximately A5 size. If you are interested in becoming an illustrator, this is a good place to start.
Refining my Art Style.
I have been considering whether I should narrow down my art style for a while now. It may be the thought of committing to one style or medium and letting go of all the possibilities that has prevented me from doing so. That and the uncertainty of knowing what to do for the best.
”Again I am filled with questions in regard to my Art Style. The confusion comes with having so many options. I’m going to have to sit down and work this out once and for all.” Diary Entry - 14th October 2024
Time is something that I am very aware of now. Despite the desire to do a bit of everything it would be foolish to believe that's possible. I have come to accept that I must make cut backs and set realistic expectations if I hope to progress.
As I came to the end of reading “The Illustrators Guide” I was introduced to the benefits of working with an agent. Viewing many agency websites has taught me the importance of having a consistent style. It’s evident that a consistent illustration style can build trust and confidence in a potential client. It's an opportunity to prove reliability and a thorough understanding of their process. One benefit of working with an agent is that it's in their best interest to find opportunities for their illustrators as they work on commission. So its give and take. That doesn’t mean that you can never deviate from a single style and do other things. While the agent promotes your style you can still offer various styles independently.
Art Production
It became apparent that there are so many things to do that being organised is a high priority if you want to succeed at something. As time is at a premium, I get easily frustrated when something takes too long. This is often the case with tech issues that I have no idea how to solve. I scroll through endless guides and forums looking for an answer. Customer service can be helpful if that’s an option, but often you are sent through a maze of online guides. It's hard to avoid using modern technology, but used correctly, they can be a great asset. Finding ways to speed up tasks and cut down the confusion has become a bit of a hobby, and finding a better way of doing things is encouraging and rewarding.
It became clear that files and accounts had gotten out of control. Endless images, multiple social media accounts, email accounts, and online subscriptions all contributing to a plethora of digital chaos. Not to mention digital photography files and art files. My phone alone was full of pointless photographs posted to social media or taken at random. The list goes on. All totally unnecessary and avoidable. Quite frankly, a lot of it was distracting junk that did nothing but add to the feeling of being overwhelmed and tired of technology.
I closed my social media accounts some years ago now with only LinkedIn and Pinterest remaining. I also have a YouTube account where I have many instructional videos and tutorials, but I don’t post any videos and rarely comment. For the most part, my presence online is purely professional these days.
I trawled through all my digital files, deleting duplicates, discarding the unnecessary, and correctly naming and filing them. This was a tedious task but was long overdue. External hard drives had been cleared and optimised too. It’s so satisfying to have a well-maintained filing system that’s easily accessible.
I opened a Google Workspace account and created a website with Google Sites. The tools in Google Workspace are very useful, and as they are fully cloud-based, everything is stored on your account online. It’s through this account I created a YouTube account, but in general, it's beneficial to have a Google account as it's trusted across the web. It’s also useful because all services are synchronised, including Gmail.
My Google account was created specifically as a business account for my artistic endeavours, my website being a portfolio. As I enjoy Apple's products, it made sense to embrace both services for all my needs. This way, I am able to have a business email account and a personal email account with Google and Apple, respectively. Though Apple and Google offer many similar services, both have their unique appeal, and this seems like the best option for my needs. Besides, Apple is better known for its ecosystem of hardware, software, and services that work together seamlessly across its products, whereas Google is better known for its search engine and online services. Although Apple and Google have their disagreements, they still work extremely well together.
I had three email accounts. Two of which were Microsoft accounts. As I use an Apple computer, the easiest way to view my emails from those accounts and my Gmail account was through Apple Mail. As you can imagine, this presents all kinds of issues, as each provider is vying to be the best. On my mission to be as efficient as possible, this was doing my nut in! It took a while to transfer my emails and change my new email address on all my subscriptions, but it was worth it.
Now I’ve invested in an iPad and increased my iCloud storage; everything is synced across devices and platforms. My files are backed up and accessible across all my devices. I have even been able to sync my creative and administrative apps, which is great for working and studying on the go. I can’t tell you what a weight off this is. It goes to prove that if used correctly, modern technology really can improve workflow and make things easier. If you’re thinking of having a complete overhaul of your digital world, I fully recommend it.
Art for Sale on eBay.
Some time ago I tried listing art for sale on my own personal e-commerce website with little success. I wrongly expected to make loads of sales and become a great success. In truth I spent far too much time trying to entice people through social media, paying for ads and willing for people to take notice. In hindsight I was very naive and I lost sight of my artistic values and gave far too much importance to pleasing people and making a profit."It's rare for one person to be naturally good at both creating and selling: These two roles require investment of time and expertise to do well." James Hughes - The Illustrators Guide
I have begun listing art for sale on eBay but it's not my priority. It’s more of a sideline and I’m not disillusioned into thinking that it’s anything else. My priority is finding paid work as an Illustrator. However, I have had a fair bit of success listing items for sale on eBay that I no longer need, so I’m optimistic.
To authenticate my artwork I have created my own certificates. With exception of open edition and photography prints, certificates will be officially stamped and embossed. I have divided Artwork for sale into four categories. Open Edition, Limited Edition, Original Artwork and Photography. This allows me to keep track of items, their type and pricing etc.
View Art For Sale!
Summary
I am happy with the progress I have made this year. Especially since finding the perfect balance between work and study. As long as people respect my time and don’t take me for granted there’s no reason why I can’t achieve my goals. My digital files and applications are organised and readily accessible across devices. My social profiles and web accounts, including my website, are easy to maintain and update. I have all the tools, art materials and clarity I need to enter 2025 with confidence and optimism.
In 2025 I hope to develop my style and create illustrations so I can approach possible clients. Following that, after getting a few projects under my belt, I would like to start approaching agencies. It’s a tall order but it feels like the right time.
As a change to my previous plans, updates to my blog will be made biannually. One in the winter and another in the summer. If you would like to know more about anything I’ve discussed or would like to share your wisdom, feel free to leave me a message.
Thank you and All the best for 2025!
Tony Jackson
Illustrator
www.ajrjackson.com
Comments
Post a Comment