Over the last few years, twitter has become my virtual studio. As an illustrator who works alone in my studio most of the time, I have become marginally obsessed with the community of artists and illustrators I follow. After I reread my twitter feed from the last year, I was reminded of a few things I learned over the last year.
What I learned in 2013 (according to my twitter feed @hendrixart)
1. Easy solution for enjoying your illustration career: Don't draw things you don't like to draw.
I draw in my sketchbook every week during church, just as a reminder that I need have fun and explore the stuff I'm interested in making. My sketchbook is more like a playground than a to-do list. Regularly drawing 'just for fun' is essential to making your best work.
2. Every new project is an opportunity. Whether it is a good opportunity is pretty much up to you.
My newest kids book, "Rutherford B. Who Was He?" is a project I initially turned down, because I thought drawing U.S. Presidents seemed liked it might be tedious, or even cliche. My wonderful agent talked me into it, and I'm so glad, I made some of my best images for this book- the constrictions which I feared set me free.
3. You can't be a great artist if you are regularly impressed with your own work. Disappointment is one of your most important artistic tools.
We all have to make bad stuff. My students often confuse 'making bad work' with 'doing something wrong'. Disliking your work proves that you have taste, and a longing for something better. I wrote 8 failed book proposals, had many jobs killed during production and redrew hundreds of sketches.
(Imagine the worst image I made last year posted here)
4. The only people who don't feel like frauds are actual frauds.
I started a web comic this year which has no other purpose than to bring me enjoyment. I have no credentials to make real comics, other than I read them. But I really wanted to draw these little stories about what this very mysterious part of the trinity does during his days. It can be found at adventuresoftheholyghost.tumblr.com
5. As much as an illustration style is a lens, it is also a vice. Without new risks, the tropes that once set you free will turn into a veil.
I did this image for a Star Wars tribute show at Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles this May. I simply could not decide what to draw from these movies- the films were so important to me that I was fearful of not doing the image justice. As I looked over my sketches, I realize the idea was right in front of me. I was going to draw everything I could remember without a sketch, without reference. The risk was thrilling, and I made my favorite image of the year.
6. This sounds feigned for effect, but everyday I'm truly astonished that it takes a lot of time to make something really good.
This giant map for Sports Illustrated was a mash-up of Game of Thrones and the sports world. Spent three weeks on it, had to remind myself everyday that doing something right isn't a waste of time. In the digital world, it feels like everyone is working fast and without errors. But, good word takes time, a lot of it.
7. Got an email from a former student, gushing about her first job- teaching never gets any better than truly enjoying another's success.
I teach illustration, hand-drawn type and design in the Communication Design department at Washington University in St. Louis. I've had so many wonderful students over the years, but this year, there were a few that really came into their own as professionals. Really proud of their success.
Vidya Nagarajan, http://vidhyanagarajan.com/
Sam Washburn, http://www.washburnillustration.com/
Noah MacMillan, http://cargocollective.com/noahmacmillan
Morgan Schweitzer, http://www.morganschweitzer.com/
James O, www.facebook.com/jamesoart