[InsaneSpaghetti]

As usual I am not sure if this was done before.
I really strive to get an artsy-fartsy job, but I was just wondering what percentage of artists (counting from the top, of course =)) actually get in. In other words, what level should I achieve to get at least an entrance level job in the industry.
So I kindly ask anyone who is even remotely making money on art, to post here. I think it would be a good display for all of us wannabe newbs. Thank you.

[Awetopsy]

know somebody on the inside.

[Socar MYLES]

The secret to getting into the art business is...good advertising. (Well, that's what worked for me, anyway.) This year, I refurbished my website, put my art up on every fantasy/sci-fi/illustration site I could find on the Internet, started handing out business cards with my website URL on them, participated in two gallery shows, posted on art forums (like this one), and generally blew my own horn as loudly as I possibly could. It took a while, but now my art is 'out there', and the jobs have started to come looking for me. (I have been offered more work than I can actually take, since I'm still a student, and very busy.)

So you don't have to be all that good to break in--in the freelance illustration market, anyway. You just have to be there. Everywhere. Some art sites you might want to try - not all of them are good, but hey--any publicity helps.
www.epilogue.net (the BEST--I've got 4 jobs, one really big, from this site, and several offers I didn't take.)
elfwood.lysator.liu.se www.renderosity.com www.side7.com www.digitalart.org www.bkaro.net www.deviantart.com www.artistictechnologies.com www.wildspeculation.com (not free, but high-traffic) www.critical-depth.com www.mysketchbook.net (for students)

I have put art on every single one of those sites, and some smaller ones, too. It's really helped my career. Now all I have to do is keep building up my resume so I can charge higher prices for my work.

[nova]

From what I've heard, show your best work, know people, be sincere, and have a variety of skills they could hire you for.

[InsaneSpaghetti]

quote

Quote:

...blow them away with your talent...

Damn!!! Can there be some easier way?

Thanks for all the feedback. Do keep on posting more in this thread - I also just wanted to see how many people here are actually getting money from what they (apparently) love. It's a cool inspiration for all of us n00bs.
Socar, what education do u have?

[Socar MYLES]

I'm finishing my BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) this Christmas, Insane Spaghetti. Honestly, though, nobody has ever phoned me and said 'Hey, I saw your work on the 'Net/at such-and-such a gallery/wherever, and I'd like to hire you for an upcoming project--but first, what's your level of education?' I went to art school to learn to draw more than for the degree, although that's always nice to have.

As I said, advertise like a maniac if you want to get work. Submit your art everywhere--to publishers, at conventions--if you can think of it, do it. (I should take my own advice, eh? I made a whole portfolio to send out to gaming companies, and then I forgot....) You can have all the talent in the world, but if nobody hears about you, then artists like me who make sure everyone can see them will come along and scoop up all the work that you should be getting.

As for how many people are getting money for their work here...I think it's a pretty high percentage. It's easy to get paid for doing art. The hard part is getting paid a decent amount for the amount of work you do. Commanding the high-end prices is another problem altogether. But the more work you've done, the more you can charge for your services. (As long, that is, as your employers have been satisfied and you've turned out a great product -on time-.)

[Lunatique]

That doesn't really work. You just gotta blow 'em away with your talent. There's nothing else to it. Do great work and know your software really well.

[InsaneSpaghetti]

Heh, that's what I was getting worried about - what I heard from cynics and non-believers in art career (my parents for example =)) it may pay but ridiculously low!

[Socar MYLES]

It does start off at the low end...but what I've done is raise my prices every time I've started getting more work than I can reasonably take. It happens faster than you'd think. I went from charging $50 for an oil painting (first print rights, not an original painting!) to $500 in less than a year...That still isn't that much, but I'll jack up the price again once my resume starts looking a little fuller.

Don't give up--the big money is out there, and if you want it enough, it'll find you. Or you'll find IT.

[XandGash]

Get lucky...that's what I just did.

[frostfyre]

I got into "working" at art from Desktop Publishing, a market that pretty much was saturated by the time I got out of school. (circa 1991) I had become fascinated by 3D, and was later assimilated by the video game industry. Since then I've just been lucky enough to be studying things that keep me useful in the biz, which coincide happily with things that genuinely interest me.

I'm a corporate art ho'. Upside- steady paycheck, benefits, nice toys, free tshirts. reasonable amount of "free time".

downside- isn't always the most fascinating subject matter, and generating a LOT of cliche's because some "creative" thinks that's the thing to do.

Lunatique is right- if you have the skills that are needed, you'll get the job. You just have to keep plugging away until you find a match. That might come via good advertising, as it has for Socar, or from hitting every studio you want to with your portfolio. With any luck, someday you'll get to go indie, or then again, maybe you'll like the corporate life!

I'm kinda curious, how many pros on this board are freelance, versus corporate (salaried)?

Whatever way you go, I hope its fun

[Dan3d]

I broke into the business about two years ago and I now work for a company doing 3D modeling/web design/CG graphics. I have never been to school for my trade. I was a salesman for about 5 years and got tired of that. While working as a salesman, I would play with graphics apps on my PC for a hobby. One day I talked to my wife and we agreed I should see if I could break into the CG art field.

I moved my family and started looking for a job. Within 1 week I was employed. Within 3 months another company contacted my and offered me almost double the salary I was making. That's where I am now. I am learning a lot and am actually "using" this job to learn more and build my portfolio. I plan to move to another country (from the USA to Israel) and will most likely need to do freelance to live there.

But how did I get my first job? I did research on companies within my area (where I moved to) that I thought I would want to work for. I did not even check to see if they were offering a job or not. I then found the appopriate person (this is where my salesmanship came in handy) and sent them an introductory E-mail. After a day or so I called that person. The next thing I new I had a job interview. Since this was my first possition working this field, I bid low to get the job (but not so low that I couldn't survive!). After getting the job I kept building my resume.

I hope this helps of encourages you somehow.

[Vgta]

It's a mixture of a couple of things, first what you know and how talented you are and also who you know. This industry is very tightly nit, and networking is a big thing.
I've been working as a web designer after I graudated from school even though I wanted to do 3d modeling, but the opportunity came up and I took the chance. Granted I am now working freelance and some contract work, but I still took a chance and learned quite a bit.
Most important of all, I got to make some good contacts, I think this forum is yet another way to make some good contacts and friends. Remember try not to step on any ones toes either, you just don't know when you'll run into them.
Oh I forgot another thing, you really have to love what you are doing.

[VanhoozerArt]

Wow, a lot of great advice. I went about it much the same way. Even while in highschool I made up my mind exactly what I wanted, and then never let myself look back. I put together what little portfolio I had, and made sure to update it every month at least. I pestered everybody, but in a way that demonstrated my eagerness, not in a way that annoyed them. I took all criticism, and used it to improve. I ended up getting an internship with Disney, and that helped things a lot. Now, I have been in the business for almost nine years, and have worked for some great companies...all because I didn't give up. There will be set backs, but you can't give up!

I think that is the key. You do have to be talented, but sometimes the only thing seperating a succesful artist and a starving one, is persistence.

Jeremy
http://homepage.mac.com/jvanhoozer

[Darkglade]

I just sent my work to a few games companies I would like to work for, and some came back for interview requests, then offers, just purely me and my work...no networking, just impress them, never lie, and have a good attitude. Simple eh?