Honestly I feel that this topic is not talked about enough here. It's all good and well to focus on gitting gud but I would like to delve into how a digital artist can truly become successful.
1.) How successful can a digital artist really be? We know there's some infamous outliers like the lady on Patreon, but can the profession offer the lucky few 100k+? 200k+? 300k+?
2.) How would you go about attaining that kind of success? What's the most viable blueprint to at least try?
3.) Where is most of the money? Freelance fantasy? Studio fantasy? Film advertising? Comics? etc.
A lot of people here have no idea about the business aspects of the art industry, but I'm hoping there's a few that can educate.
>>2589217
You seem to be treating digital art as if it's not very obviously much bigger and more lucrative (in a general sense) than all other mediums. This makes it seem like you've either been living under a rock for the last two decades (and should just do some googling to get you acquainted with the modern world), or you're otherwise not intelligent enough to warrant giving answers to.
Here are some things for you to google:
"How much money does an illustrator artist make"
"How much money does a concept artist make"
"How much money do comic book artists make"
>>2589217
"digital art" is not a profession, it's simply the medium that most clients require you to work in.
You've got to understand that digital art will always be shit on by traditional artists because of the lineage and culture that comes with it.
Reducing all of your artistic tools to a computer and a tablet is pretty weak and even if what you do looks good, you'll still be seen as some nerdy art fuck rathet than a true artist that has a gallery (not a fucking deviant art).
But now digital art is what's the hot shit in the business. It's easier and faster so it's better for the industry.
But deep within if you truly want to be an Artist of the soul and not of the paycheck, you're not gonna make it with just digital art.
I know I'm gonna get shit on because you guys are heavily digital oriented but this is what I've seen as someone who's spent two years in French Art Schools.
>>2591208
>he asks questions about a subject he is no expert on
>lol he must be dumb
>>2591315
literally every digital artist also draws traditionally though.
>>2589217
>100k
> art
Well memd
Most of the professional are making less than 40k per year. There is no money in art at all.
>being in art for money
if you want cash, start a business
>>2591315
which art school? was it shit?
>>2591410
250k is average for art directors. 100k is average for senior concept artists. Source: Sony leaks
Artists are doing fine, don't worry about them, they are making more money than you.
>>2589217
The big money in illustration comes from the licensing of the work.
Spending 15 hours on a drawing can pull in ~$300 from a regional magazine, or $5000.00 from an advertising campaign. Same amount of work, but different usage. The higher the usage, the higher the fee you can charge.
The basic blueprint is simple. This applies to most freelance industries - not just illustration:
1. Research an industry that uses illustration
2. Cater everything in your portfolio to be similar to work already used in said industry.
3. Research and document the names + contact info of decision makers in the industry (most commonly, the Art Director & Creative Director)
4. Start a personalized marketing campaign for each contact and reach out to them.
6. Improve your portfolio and keep reaching out to your contact list.
Rinse and repeat forever. Although this blueprint is simple, each step is infinitely difficult to execute in a way that creates results. Every field of illustration is insanely competitive with world-class talent. A cohesive and quality portfolio is important, but so is taking consistent action towards reaching out to people (instead of expecting them to magically come to you via social media). Nothing will happen unless you constantly try to make it so.
Hope this helps!
>>2591427
Thank you, an actual helpful post.
>>2591315
>>2591410
> work as 'digital artist' in mobile game studio
> earn 70k, plus education budget, stock options, free beer, etc
> easy job, small teams so lots of input and creative freedom
> after work free to freelance, do my own projects or play games
> literally half the company are hot young women
> parties all the time
>get told on /ic/ that digital artists are poor soulless hacks and those working in casual games the lowest of the low.
>>2592010
What studio? I would like to apply.
>>2592010
>> work as 'digital artist' in mobile game studio
>> earn 70k, plus education budget, stock options, free beer, etc
>> easy job, small teams so lots of input and creative freedom
>> after work free to freelance, do my own projects or play games
>> literally half the company are hot young women
>> parties all the time
>>get told on /ic/ that digital artists are poor soulless hacks and those working in casual games the lowest of the low.
kek. yeah. When i opened this thread and saw another "traditionalVSdigital/Loomis/Painting" shit, i...
I mean fuck.
those guys are probably from USA and its 2016 AND they still have no fucking idea how it works.
Im drawing stuff for mobile games and draw porn and my personal stuff when im free from it. and i dont see any problems with art at all.
I havent drawn traditionally for years and i dont remember when i had pencil in my hand.
>>2591695
No problem! Happy to help. There's a lot of misinformation on /ic/ about generating a sustainable income via your illustration and freelance business. Don't fall for the Patreon memes.
>>2592054
It's in Germany. Plenty of studios here, so you're definitely welcome.
Bump. More advice please.
1.) Yes it can. Very few are that lucky but yes it can.
2.) Become somewhat established and popular, then go ham on a personal project.
3.) How to quantify 'most'. I've never heard anyone say 'advertising', when answering this but from my experiene it has definitely been advertising. Freelance fantasy don't pay much. Game art does pay, but nothing like advertising.
>>2593209
I don't want to be raped though
>>2594320
It wouldn't be rape if you wanted it anon
>>2591410
I make 50k a year as an art intern, as an employee at the same studio I would make 70k a year starting salary + insane benefits.
>>2592010
Same as this guy, it's mobile games. I work in the states tho.
Fuck anyone who says you can't make money as an artist, there's thousands of opportunities for hard working artists that know how to hustle.
>>2591315
>But deep within if you truly want to be an Artist of the soul and not of the paycheck, you're not gonna make it with just digital art.
>being this buttblasted that traditional is dying
Keep telling yourself this, whatever helps you feel better
