make a living as an artist
2yr
Juan Pedro Ramos Ponce
I am not sure if this is the right forum for this question. My apologies if it is not.
Hello, I am a 46 years old computer engineer. When I was a child I drew a little but nothing serious. 3 and a half years ago I am painting in photoshop as a hobby in my free time more regularly. Here I add some of my pieces. The question I ask: Could I make a living as an artist? ...Yes, I know that "it's never too late" but 46 years old and zero experience is too much, isn't it?
Thanks in advance.
Man you are good! Like the skill of yours definitely apply to many things you want to do in commercial art!
"zero experience"? Nah you have much more than that. Albeit maybe not much experience in working as an artist, you definitely got the skill that the job needed. I'm an engineer student, I lean my art stuff all by my own (which I kinda wish I have a few more other friends to go along XD). I don't actually think I'll be working in art field because it's really different from creating for oneself and I don't have the mind set yet to allow me working effectively in a job situation.
I recognize the snow ball fight picture, I think it's from a proko challenge? :D
Hi Juan,
I am too an engineer and working as artist/illustrator on the side. So I might see what you are trying to ask here..
I believe that the question "if you can make a living from arts" depends on many others things besides your skills as an artist.
Your images show that you have knowledge and skills in creating art, if this can be used to make a living depends on other factors.
What industry would like like to work for? Do you want to be employed or independent? As freelance artist you have to be as much your own business manager as you need to be a good artist (if not even more).
Do you indent to switch 100% away from engineering to arts? What kind of lifestyle are you having?
From my experience it is quite difficult to expect equal pay or income from art as you can on a regular basis from engineering - at least if you just jump into it.
I think the basic thing to ask yourself should be: What do you (want to) offer and is there a sufficient demand to make it a living?
Best wishes and a great art journey.
Andre
Thanks for taking the time to answer me. It's something to think about. Especially the freelancer thing because I live in the canary islands.
I can't believe these are 3.5 years of zero experience photoshop painting hobbyist's works.
Thanks! As I said I had some notions of drawing, for example some perspective. I also knew how to use Photoshop although for photo manipulation and design. This was my first digital painting :)
All that matters is the art
Hello! :)
I am marely a student myself and I'm not nearly as far into my art journey as yourself. BUT I am online a lot and consume a lot of art from a lot of artist and to me you look way more than ready. It's almost unbelievable that you got this good in only 3,5 years and it was a hobby no less. I'd say start going to cons or other events (digital and physical) and have your portfolio looked at. I don't know what job you want to apply for but maybe look at the studio's websites in the field your interested in and see if you can apply there as well
