Hello

So... you'd like to improve your art further.
I have compiled some recs that I use- some are free some are not (I'll put a $ next to the things you have to pay for but honestly I implore you to buy some of these resources if possible. Perhaps one thing at a time)
Take everything with a grain of salt, experiment, it won't be over night success (whatever success means to you) honestly come back to this info as often as you'd like. I try to mass update when I can/remember ;^)

Vincent out! star trek sounds


Anatomy and Reference Material


Business Stuff

Make sure you're putting your name in your social bios! Lmao your potential AD/Client needs to know how to address you in addition to your pronouns. Also, your links! Make sure they work and you have them in a pinned tweet! Make a Carrd or a Linktree! Both are free!!

Also if you have a shop- consider getting a PO Box for extra privacy(I believe you can go to the post office for help on that, I don't have info on it but it's a tip I heard and thought I'd share)


Comic/Graphic Novel/Webcomic specific


Software and other Knowledge

Software doesn't make the artist but it sure as hell can make things prettier and save time so:


BOOKS

Books. They are helpful as fuck, Old Sport.
These books are good for Business, Drawing, and Storytelling
You might be able to find free pdfs if you dig but these are avaible to buy and check out places like ThriftBooks maybe they have a cheaper version. Most of these are like $25 or less I believe. Just buy one at a time and what fits for you.

How to Draw by Scott Robertson (more in depth version of Draw A Box and it can be lengthy but if you struggle to draw perspective, cars, building- I recommend reading several times)

Framed Ink by Marcos Mateu-Mestre (really good if you're into concept art, storyboarding, or comics but honestly just a good book in general)

Shot by Shot by Steven D. Katz (technically this is for film making but if you're into comics or want to make you work look cinematic or have story..check out film books)

The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri (another book that can be good for Comic Creators)

Handbook Pricing and Ethical Guidelines 15th Edition by Graphic Artists Guild (Like Litebox but..a book. Want to price your work better? This book gives you great help on how to do that. This book will give you ideas on how to price but ultimately YOU have to decide on what price fits for what you're doing)


Art Study Advice

OH!- If there are artists you like and there are elements of their style you would like to experiment within your own work- keep a "Dream Portfolio" where you make not of what you like about several different artists. Maybe there's a pattern that you're finding "Hey I like how these people color!" "I like how these two ink!" okay good! In a private sketchbook see if you can imitate them BUT put your own twist in it! Don't straight up copy, study their art and see how they might do things and see if maybe you would like to do stuff like that. A private Pinterest board is a good way to keep a digital Dream Portfolio- or a Tumblr (rip) or Twitter list. Study but DO NOT copy artists.
Experiment. Reach out for constructive criticism when you can (just be specific on what elements in your work you want to push and that'll help you get a clearer, more helpful response)


Portfolio/Gig Advice

From my own experience, it will NOT be enjoyable if you're taking every gig you see and getting paid in dirt or drawing something you don't vibe with. Make sure your portfolio reflects what you want to make. I want to make expressive comics and illustrate for Glamour Adverts, living out a fantasy of being someone from Mad Men (but less of an ass)- figure out what you want to draw.

If you're a comic artist:
Make sure you have sequential art on your portfolios! Make sure you can draw backgrounds and action/expression (to some degree) and have examples! Make sure you have gutters around your panels! Make sure your text is legible!!


Health Advice

Literally a note to self:
Stretch often! Rest your eyes! Do some yoga on youtube. Go on a 5min walk to clear your head. Buy some CBD Menthol cream for hand/arm/knee aches. Just go tf to bed! Take a cat nap. Schedule posts. Drink water and eat. Play a video game or your instruments. LMAO TOUCH GRASS GODDAMN

( Made with Carrd )