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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.
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.
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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
Melinda
about 1 month 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 month ago
762 comments
this is really helpful to someone like me who is thinking about breaking into the field! thanks a lot!
Jolanico
about 1 month ago
76 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 month ago
142 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
2 months ago
576 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
2 months 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
2 months 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
2 months 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.
smurfyblue
3 months ago
24 comments
Hi
I'm kinda new here and this site.
I will say it does take a lot of hard work!, to say the least.
I would like to say this article was very ifomational for me, I'm at a point now at my present job to where I can retire from here and do something I like doing.
ART
I would like to try getting a job at disney doing the chacters which I'm all the time doing something like that anyway.
I do other art as well, but that's what I like doing the best.
whether its in front of a skechpad or a canvas board or tee shrit, my problem is I don't which I like doing.
Or even going about trying to find out how to do this, but the info here helps
Thankx
ugnė
3 months ago
36 comments
neauty color
Hamsa3
4 months ago
1830 comments
Amazing amazing to know thank you a lot..
smtgeo
6 months ago
2 comments
in response to gekko. that is the reason why I went for a 2 year business degree first. Many of the classes focused on starting & managing your own small business. There were courses in basic accounting, writing business proposals, contract law overviews, business ethics, public speaking, etc. All stuff that you need to know if you want to run your own business or freelance. Then I used the business degree to help me find an office job to pay it off and pay for art school, now between me and my husband I have enough to quit and expand my portfolio so that I will be a good candidate for art school.
gekko
10 months ago
5564 comments
another thought is the business of business. many gifted artists are lousy at keeping the accounting straight.
Janice
10 months ago
2414 comments
Nice article, one tip I would like to add, wish they had taught me more of in school, is to aquire the skills/confidence necessary to do your own sales/marketing. Man, is that the hardest part for everyone , or is it just me?
gekko
10 months ago
5564 comments
#4 is extremely important. miss a deadline or two & you may as well go find another line of work.