I've been getting a lot of art related questions on my formspring and in person lately... along with a lot of money related questions. It's been almost a year since I made my last "Ask San: Art related questions" post, so I figured it was time to update it! Here are my most frequently asked questions and comments about art, money and my career - some I've already answered on my formspring but I elaborated on the responses here. Hope this is helpful!
Working for yourself and Finance related questions
- How did you start working for yourself?
The short version of how I quit my job and started working for myself: I paid off all my credit cards the first year I started working towards this goal, and and then for the next two years I started saving money while building up a portfolio. While I did this, I had a full time job and I usually worked 50+ hours a week at it. After a long day at work, I'd come home and work on freelance in the evenings and on the weekends. Eventually I had enough work completed and money saved that I felt comfortable enough to put in my two weeks notice. I left my job in February and I had 6 months worth of income saved just in case things went horribly wrong. Truthfully, I wish I had saved more, but I don't think I could have handled the stress of what I was doing for another 6 months or year... Preparing to quit your job to work for yourself isn't always fun or easy, but it is completely do-able. You just have to figure out an exit plan that works with your goals and your current life situation.
- What do you do about health insurance or your 401k?!
I still have Health Insurance! I have an inexpensive medical plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia. I did have dental coverage through my boyfriend's company, but he just recently changed jobs 2 weeks ago so now I'm looking for a new dental plan. When I quit my job, I never intended on going with out health insurance. I made sure my monthly budget included paying for that! As for my 401k, I haven't been adding to it since I left my last job 6 months ago. However, I do plan on doing that once I have a better grasp on what my income will be.
- You are so lucky to be working at home! (or) Do you like working at home alone?
I don't like to complain or talk about the negative aspects of it online, but there are just as many bad points as there are good ones about working for yourself. The good: there are the perks of being able to decide when you will take a day off without asking for permission... if you accidentally sleep in nobody is going to fire you (unless you are on a tight deadline! eeek). The bad: there is the issue of being lonely... I'm a people person, and working from home alone can be very hard sometimes. The nice side of being lonely during work hours is that you become eager to keep in touch with your loved ones even when it isn't convenient. The downside is sometimes you are too busy with work to see them, so you can end up being alone a lot. Also, sometimes work just doesn't come in! Which is the worst - it can be so frustrating to want work and have no paying projects coming through. When this happens I try to find other things to keep busy on and make money with, which can be challenging and make me miss the constant flow of work that came steady employment. And to be honest, work has been slow the past month and half so I'm probably going to get a part time job for a bit. I'm looking forward to a small consistant paycheck and having a job where I can visit with people. It'll be a refreshing change and probably help with my creativity!
I work on a Cintiq, which is a giant monitor like device that I draw on. I can't really take it places because it needs to be attached to a computer to work. I've looked into getting a tablet laptop sort of thing - but I don't really have the money right now. Plus, fancy coffee drinks are a little expensive for a daily purchases! I do sometimes go to a cafe and draw on paper or brain storm, but I typically like to save that spending money for coffee shop visits with a friend.
So far I'm doing ok and I'm looking into getting a part time job to help with expenses and fill in gaps when there isn't work. My living costs/savings aren't very relevant because that varies for each person depending on your lifestyle and location. But to give an idea on the things I save money with: I don't pay for television, I don't really go shopping, I live in an area where I don't drive more than 3 miles in a trip so I save on gas, I don't eat out a lot, I cut and color my hair myself, I invite friends over for drinks instead of buying them at bars, etc. I'm very frugal and I know my habits aren't for everyone - but they work for me. It also helps that I don't have any debt other than a student loan, and when I have extra money I save what I can just in case. If you want to freelance, you will probably need to figure out a financial budget for yourself and see exactly how you spend, what you spend it on and how you can save money based on that info. As for a "back up plan"... this is my job - I don't have another job in waiting or anything. I think most people don't have back up plans with their careers - they just focus on doing a good job in the moment. If things got so bad that I couldn't take care of myself, I'd look for a different job to improve things just like other people do.
- I was thinking of attending the art institute here where I live but it's expensive. Is it worth it?
This is a really tough one to answer... I think it's a matter of opinion. I totally feel my college education was worth it - I actually wish I had worked harder to get more of my money's worth! I didn't learn awesome skills in every single class, but I learned responsibility, what my employers would expect, tips and tricks to make me a better artist and I gained access to the latest industry tools and programs. My classes were usually 6-15 people total, so my teachers were able to dedicate time to each of us for help and guidance. Art Institute is also more focused on making you career ready rather than teaching you fine arts - which I feel some people are put off by... but I think it's a smart approach and helps you get more for your money. However! I can't offer a whole lot of opinion based on how "expensive" it is now - I started college in 2001 and had a locked in rate from that point on, so my education cost a lot less than it would today. I honestly don't know what a typical private art education costs these days! I really don't know what a typical tuition at a public college costs either... That is something you'll have to research. You're buying a education, so you'll need to compare it to other prices and services from comparable schools you are interested in. Talk to your parents/guardian/financial advisor/etc about what monthly payments will be like and decide if its realistic. I suggest asking for opinions from people in your area that have attended those art programs and see if they liked it/would recommend it.
- What kind of jobs do you do being an illustrator/graphic designer?
I'm only a few months into being a fulltime illustrator, but so far I've done a lot of web work, caricatures, illustrations for personal use and portrait/gift designs. I'm hoping to branch out and do more stuff as the year progresses! A little plug: If you want to hire me, send me an email! I always try to find a rate that works with my client's budget and I'd love to help out on a project!
When I worked full time I did a lot of caricatures, repeat pattern illustrations, information graphics (illustrations that show the way things work or explain information), and spot art.
- I'm trying to become an artist, or at least I'm trying to draw more and better. But somehow I'm unable to draw more than sketches, and often I don't even like them. I'd like to draw comics, but I feel like I'm unable to do so. Do you have a tip?
Draw more! Go to figure drawing sessions! Read lots of comics/watch cartoons and look at lots of art to get ideas and inspiration. Don't give up. A lot of drawing is just keeping at it and practicing, like with any skill. Good luck!
- Hey San! I’m 12 years old [13 in 5 months], and I’m not very artistic, and I really want to be[: Have any tips for me?
Let's see... when I was 12 I think I had gotten a sketchbook and was drawing a lot in it. I'd recommend you get something like a sketch book that you can carry around with you and doodle notes, drawings, ideas and what not in! You could paste stickers, photos or magazine clippings in there... maybe write in it like a journal... You could also try different hobbies out to see if you like them like painting, knitting, sewing, scrap booking, origami or photography! Really the best way to get started is to be open-minded and try lots of things. Don't worry about not doing a good job the first time, just experiment and have fun! Looking up tutorials online is a great way to get ideas too!
- I'm currently 18 and going to tech to do my a-levels, but I’m so unsure about what I want to do there. I've already done a media and photography course there, and was looking into maybe doing a graphics design course. The thing is I’m worried about going into this course without any experience. I love to draw, and am finally getting round to drawing and doodling again as I’ve felt so distant from doing it over the past year! I was just wondering what your advice for me would be, and how you came to do what you do?
I wouldn't worry about going into a course with out experience - the whole point of going to school and taking classes is to gain that experience! Plus, 18 is pretty young - nobody expects you to know everything just yet... I still don't know everything and I'm almost 10 years older than you. Truthfully, even though I studied Graphic Design in High School and College, I still was not fully prepared for the real world and work... but it was ok! You learn on the job, and through each project you take on you get better and better. You also learn lots of tips and tricks from your classmates, teachers and eventually your coworkers - so don't sweat it! As long as you show interest and the ability to learn things will be fine. On how I came to be an illustrator... you can read more about that here.
- Did you go to school for illustration? I kind of want to do illustration, but I'm not 100% sure.
I did! I got an associates degree in Graphic Design and my bachelors in Illustration from The Art Institute of Atlanta. My opinion: if possible, take classes in both - having design skills will strengthen your illustration projects and will also give you small job options while you build your illustration career!
- What kind of marker/pen do you use to outline your traditional drawings?
I digitally ink my work on a Cintiq. Before that I used Faber-Castell brush pens and their "small" and "fine" tip pens.
