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Five Points Illustrators Must Know for Art School
Featured Author:
Dani Jones
Dani Jones is an illustrator in the children’s market. Her clients include Grosset & Dunlap, McGraw-Hill, and Harcourt. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2005, her work has appeared in picture books, children’s magazines, and textbooks. In addition to her illustration work, Dani runs the website DaniDraws.com, where she regularly writes tutorials, articles, and tips on illustration.
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Dani Jones
1. Formal education is necessary. Most people might think that art can be easily self-taught, and that any good hobbyist has a good shot at becoming a successful illustrator. The truth is, learning to draw and paint is one of the most challenging and frustrating tasks a person can take on, and having experienced instructors can ease and speed-up the process immensely.
2. Experiment as much as possible. After you leave school and begin creating work for clients, you might not have the luxury, freedom, or time. So take advantage of the opportunity while you’re in school.
3. Learn how to take criticism and get feedback while you can. As an art student, you will probably hear one or two (or more) negative comments about your artwork. Don’t take them personally or haughtily push them aside. In fact, criticism is the best tool for making your work better. Learn how to use both positive and negative comments to your advantage. And enjoy it while you can, because after school you will have to work out your creative problems alone in your studio.
4. Learn how to work on a schedule. Good, responsible illustrators CANNOT miss a deadline. If you find that you are constantly failing to finish assignments on time while you are in school, it does not bode well for your professional career. Learn time management and discipline skills in addition to your artistic ones.
5. Art takes a little talent, and mostly work. Try not to measure your success by comparing yourself to others around you. If you have the determination to create better artwork, it will come eventually. How far you go ultimately depends on YOU, and not your teachers, classes, or school. Draw as much as you can; complete personal paintings as well as your regular assignments; and remember that talent will only get you so far — the rest is just plain hard work.
Discuss these Tips on Student Bistro
Destinie
6 months ago
6 comments
A lot of people who enter the illustration field need to read this article. I think learning to be a hard and dedicated worker comes first, then improvement in your work comes second. You can only improve by being dedicated to what you do.
Jill_Huizenga
6 months ago
8 comments
There are a lot of talented artists out there who never get seen. Why? Because they (and I'm one of them) are too afraid of criticism. Instinct, intuition and just having something grab you so that you want to do the kid thing and say "Mom, look what I did." and pray that they put it on the refrigerator gallery. I finally after a year, took my photos and posted on Art Bistro and to my delight have gotten a lot of favorable feedback. Don't be afraid to experiment, don't be afraid to share. Now I have the motivation to put some of the photos, fibrearts, paintings and ceramics I've done over the years
Katiemichelle
7 months ago
42 comments
i mostly agree. in some cases though, pure talent is just everything. i haven't had anyone but myself teach me how to do the computer art i do.
bukesova180
8 months ago
78 comments
I agree, formal education is necessary, pure talent is not enough. #5 is so true
Pete_Ziegel
9 months ago
2 comments
Very nice! I also believe that without experimentation there can be no breakthroughs. It was tough while in school because some teachers encouraged me to strive for a "style" because its easier to market yourself with a distinguishable look or style.
artwizard622
10 months ago
834 comments
As an illustrator myself, I have to say that it is essential to really get to know your subject before you attempt to illustrate it. This takes discipline, time and an open mind. Drawing what you see, and not what you think you see, is crucial for a good illustrator to be successful. As for comment #5 - I'm not sure that that will fly as a professional illustrator. Depending on what direction you take, talent may indeed be critical to your work. As a technical or scientific/medical illustrator, you cannot rely on "a little talent" - But you can develop "a little talent" into a lot of talent with practice and discipline. Believe in yourself, and you absolutely can do it.
Account Removed
10 months ago
Great read, there seems to be so many areas you can work on, not just the quality of your work. Being easy to work with and making deadlines seems to go a long way!
Melinda
about 1 year ago
64 comments
Number five is a good point! It's hard though not to compair yourself to those around you. I find though that many successful illustrations and even cartoons don't rely on great artistic tallent but on a good idea or great style. At least that's what I think.
marielynn724
about 1 year ago
972 comments
this is really helpful to someone like me who is thinking about breaking into the field! thanks a lot!
Jolanico
about 1 year ago
66 comments
For the most part, this all seems very basic. The part about missing a deadline is a crave sin kinda scares me. I am pretty punctual; but there doesn't seem to be any room for change in plans. Ill take that into consideration, and try not to sweat!
m_art_in
about 1 year ago
134 comments
i like your thoughts and esp. agree with #5 absolutly, it's pretty much work to reach a professional level, that's out of a question. on the other hand, dont forget the fun, at least ... now and then. the start of my career is almost 20 years back and i can only confirm your thoughts! happy illustrating :)
Danho
about 1 year ago
562 comments
the whole "work vs talent" point is very relevant to someone like myself, who spends most of his time comparing. Glad that some hard work will get me where I want to go in this field rather than straight talent...now I just have to find that hard work somewhere!
Albertising
about 1 year ago
26 comments
Love these 5 points, they are dead on but they don't just apply to Illustrators, they apply to all artists. Formal education will teach you not only to use your tools but under the right mentor it will point you in the right direction to find your own personal style. Criticism is the one I can't live without, specially the negative one!!! It will helped you mature your style. AND YES YOU DO MISS IT ONCE YOU ARE OUT OF SCHOOL. Positive criticism is nice, it boosts the ego but the negative criticism makes you stop and analyze, rethink and evaluate your work.
As for the last two point, they apply to any carrier not just art, they make you a professional.
Albertising
about 1 year ago
26 comments
Love these 5 points, they are dead on but they don't just apply to Illustrators, they apply to all artists. Formal education will teach you not only to use your tools but under the right mentor it will point you in the right direction to find your own personal style. Criticism is the one I can't live without, specially the negative one!!! It will helped you mature your style. AND YES YOU DO MISS IT ONCE YOU ARE OUT OF SCHOOL. Positive criticism is nice, it boosts the ego but the negative criticism makes you stop and analyze, rethink and evaluate your work.
As for the last two point, they apply to any carrier not just art, they make you a professional.
Albertising
about 1 year ago
26 comments
Love this 5 point, they are dead on but they don't just apply to Illustrators, they apply to all artists. Formal education will teach you not only to use your tools but under the right mentor it will point you in the right direction to find your own personal style. Criticism is the one I can't live without, specially the negative one!!! It will helped you mature your style. AND YES YOU DO MISS IT ONCE YOU ARE OUT OF SCHOOL. Positive criticism is nice, it boosts the ego but the negative criticism makes you stop and analyze, rethink and evaluate your work.
As for the last two point, they apply to any carrier not just art, they make you a professional.