Author Topic: Vector Artist wannabes! (Read 30955 times)

ironarrow · « **on:** January 19, 2009, 00:44 »

Do you really believe you will become a real good selling vector artist?

Yes, that is right: if you are a good vector artist you can make good money in microstock. But only if you already are a vector artists who is capable of making money even without microstock. It is not like money is there for taking so let's do vectors and take it

I am a vector artist and it took me 25 years to get to the point I am. Not to mention non-stop drawing + a big love for creating illustrations day and night even without getting a penny. Sometimes drawing all night long just for fun.

When I see "clever" wannabes I can't stop but have a cheeky smile on my face.

You call it whatever you want but honestly I want your goodness. Instead of wasting your time on something that you are not good at, why don't you focus on your photos where you are good.

My word is only for wannabes. Anyway, deep deep inside, everybody knows him/herself. If you do not belong to the wannabe category please keep working harder and harder to become an even better vector artist.

But if you are a wannabe, please don't waste your time with elementary drawings which my 6 year old nephew can do with a little bit of illustrator knowledge.

Or if you accept you are a wannabe but still believe you can transform yourself into salvador dali please ignore me. I didn't post this at all. Please go ahead and become the next Van Gogh or something like that:)

kaycee · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2009, 01:22 »

?
I like to draw for almost 25 years too, and how I do it it's up to me.
I tried digital illustrations/vectors but it's way different than hand drawing you can't compare those two things it's
way different...............................................and I like both

DiscreetDuck · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2009, 02:55 »

DiscreetDuck · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2009, 03:11 »

Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 00:44

...please don't waste your time with elementary drawings which my 6 year old nephew can do with a little bit of illustrator knowledge.

Hey, there could be a niche!

abimages · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2009, 05:04 »

By the same token I see a lot of vector artists 'dabbling' with cameras. Going by your logic is that not the same?

Perrush · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2009, 05:38 »

Why don't you stick to drawing and let posting to someone else

anyway, I think everyone can do whatever he wants to, the buyers decide if the image is good enough or not. Besides, isn't that the point of micro's ? Becoming better a long the way ?

madelaide · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2009, 09:10 »

My illustrations are very simple, very basic and I had fun making them. A couple of them are among my best-sellers, even getting ELs. I was lucky, but I am happy with the results even if I don't intend to be a graphics artist. I don't intend to be a full-time photographer either, so...

Regards,
Adelaide

ironarrow · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2009, 09:47 »

Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 01:22

?
I like to draw for almost 25 years too, and how I do it it's up to me.
I tried digital illustrations/vectors but it's way different than hand drawing you can't compare those two things it's
way different...............................................and I like both

I said everybody knows it deep inside. If you really believe you are not a wannabe then why do you get offended. I don't want to offend anyone, It is just my opinion. If you don't agree, you smile and forget about it..

Whiz · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:09 »

Isn't everyone a "wannabe" at first?

ironarrow · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:09 »

Quote from: abimages on January 19, 2009, 05:04

By the same token I see a lot of vector artists 'dabbling' with cameras. Going by your logic is that not the same?

Well I see some photographers who are good at vectors. My hat is off to them. My word is not for them.

My word is for mickey mouse illustrators. Most vector artists you are talking about already have a strong art education which includes photography as well. And they are approved by the industry standard Istockphoto! Aren't they?

Wannabes I am talking about are gonna need pure luck to get accepted at istockphoto. Just look at the numbers: SS has 135.000 something contributors, IS has 21.000 which is 6 and a half times less than SS:) You get the idea!

SS has no standards at vectors at all. I can draw a line and magic, it is accepted. Does that make me good? No, it makes SS a low standard vector site. Anyway, only the good ones sell. I am not worrying about the competition mickey mouse illustrators will bring! I am purely a good guy who doesn't want them to waste their free time with useless stuff.

I don't do photos at the moment. Since I do believe my strength is vectors but back in school when I was 20, I did get photography training for 6 months. And I am a cinema graduate from University which was 4 years. So I actually have a real training at photography and lighting and still not doing it. I might be better than many photographers who knows. But for the time being I stick with vectors.

How many of these wannabes can say that they have a training of that caliber? How many of them can say they were drawing 10 hours a day 5 years ago when there was no microstock. Deep inside they know they weren't drawing at all and the reason they draw now is purely for getting the extra pennies.

Ahh, and love they have for illustrations and drawings

I have never heard anyone who doesn't like art. Does that mean anybody can do it?

At least I can claim I have had a camera for 15 years now and still don't do photos for microstock. I take things seriously and I am not gonna take tomato photos. If I do decide to do it one day it will be professionally done in a studio. And it will be to bring something that is not already up there.

ironarrow · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:11 »

Quote from: madelaide on January 19, 2009, 09:10

My illustrations are very simple, very basic and I had fun making them. A couple of them are among my best-sellers, even getting ELs. I was lucky, but I am happy with the results even if I don't intend to be a graphics artist. I don't intend to be a full-time photographer either, so...

Regards,
Adelaide

You got a few sales, right! Imagine if they were really good.

ironarrow · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:22 »

Quote from: Whiz on January 19, 2009, 10:09

Isn't everyone a "wannabe" at first?

I was a wannabe when I was 4. I was saying I want to do comics and cartoons and I professionally did it. I am no longer a wannabe. But I do believe I will never get to a point where I say "Oh, ok, I am done now, I am good now" because it is all about improving.

All I am saying is: it is too late at their age to decide that they want to be vector artists. It is exactly the same as trying to become a great tennis player or a gymnast after the age of 30.

And don't give me examples about vector artists taking photos

You know it is not the same. Anybody with a great camera can take photos and get accepted to any site. But not anybody with Adobe illustrator can draw. Don't tell me you don't know the difference.

I have a friend who took no photos whatsoever apart from family and holiday photos of his own before. He is not a photography lover. He just bought a camera because I told him he can try and take photos and sell them on micros. He did it and got accepted to IS at the first try because the camera he bought was pretty good. Costs about $3000 to get into IS as a photographer.

kaycee · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:31 »

Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 09:47

Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 01:22
?
I like to draw for almost 25 years too, and how I do it it's up to me.
I tried digital illustrations/vectors but it's way different than hand drawing you can't compare those two things it's
way different...............................................and I like both

I said everybody knows it deep inside. If you really believe you are not a wannabe then why do you get offended. I don't want to offend anyone, It is just my opinion. If you don't agree, you smile and forget about it..

I´m not offended .I just pointing out that hand drawing and vector-illustations are way different from each other you can´t compare it with each other.................So if you like me hand draw for 25 years or more it doesn´t mean right away that your also able to do vectors-illustration the same as hand draw . You might have the same ideas but to put it to paper or PC is different at least for me......

ironarrow · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:33 »

Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 10:31

Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 09:47
Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 01:22
?
I like to draw for almost 25 years too, and how I do it it's up to me.
I tried digital illustrations/vectors but it's way different than hand drawing you can't compare those two things it's
way different...............................................and I like both

I said everybody knows it deep inside. If you really believe you are not a wannabe then why do you get offended. I don't want to offend anyone, It is just my opinion. If you don't agree, you smile and forget about it..
I´m not offended .I just pointing out that hand drawing and vector-illustations are way different from each other you can´t compare it with each other.................So if you like me hand draw for 25 years or more it doesn´t mean right away that your also able to do vectors-illustration the same as hand draw . You might have the same ideas but to put it to paper or PC is different at least for me......

If you have really been drawing on paper for that long I can help you get better at vectors.. IF you do want my advice..

kaycee · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:41 »

Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 10:33

Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 10:31
Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 09:47
Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 01:22
?
I like to draw for almost 25 years too, and how I do it it's up to me.
I tried digital illustrations/vectors but it's way different than hand drawing you can't compare those two things it's
way different...............................................and I like both

I said everybody knows it deep inside. If you really believe you are not a wannabe then why do you get offended. I don't want to offend anyone, It is just my opinion. If you don't agree, you smile and forget about it..
I´m not offended .I just pointing out that hand drawing and vector-illustations are way different from each other you can´t compare it with each other.................So if you like me hand draw for 25 years or more it doesn´t mean right away that your also able to do vectors-illustration the same as hand draw . You might have the same ideas but to put it to paper or PC is different at least for me......

If you have really been drawing on paper for that long I can help you get better at vectors.. IF you do want my advice..

Yes of course I would like that I´m not ashamed to get some good advice. I like to draw on paper or with the PC it doesn´t matter as long as I´m busy with my hobbie that includes also photography.
I hope within 2 month I go back to school and learn all about illustrator etc...........

abimages · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:51 »

Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 10:22

Quote from: Whiz on January 19, 2009, 10:09
Isn't everyone a "wannabe" at first?

I have a friend who took no photos whatsoever apart from family and holiday photos of his own before. He is not a photography lover. He just bought a camera because I told him he can try and take photos and sell them on micros. He did it and got accepted to IS at the first try because the camera he bought was pretty good. Costs about $3000 to get into IS as a photographer.

So one one hand you encourage a 'non photographer' to start working with micros. And on the other hand discourage 'non vector artists' to not even try

Look, you obviously feel threatened by the competition so my advice would be to stay true to yourself and stick with the day job.

Oh, and regarding your earlier post, the fact of owning a camera for 15 years does not make you a photographer...nor does the six month training you claim to have.
For over 30 years I have worked as a commercial photographer, the first six of which I was training!
Could you compete with me?....No
Am I gonna try and stop you trying?....No
Am I gonna moan when everyone gets a camera and calls themselves a photographer?....No

Theres room in Microstock for all levels, so quit worrying and get on doing your thing.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:54 »

I imagine the OP is aiming at the kind of thing you see on SS, like a vector heart with "LOVE" on the middle of it, or some really bad flag illustrations, or something. There's nothing wrong with practicing and holding back until you're really competant.

ironarrow · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:58 »

Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 10:41

Yes of course I would like that I´m not ashamed to get some good advice. I like to draw on paper or with the PC it doesn´t matter as long as I´m busy with my hobbie that includes also photography.

Ok then. It is actually not different doing it on a pc or on paper if you do it the right way.

1- If you don't already have it, buy a graphic tablet. You have to have the feeling of a pencil. Wacom bamboo series are fine. A6 tablet is adequate and cheap.
2- Draw on paper just like you are doing traditionally. Then scan the paper sketch and drag it to an open Illustrator file. Reduce the opacity of the scan and lock that layer. Add a new layer and just trace your sketch with illustrator tools.
3- You can trace photos too, as long as they belong to you. Remember IS is very strict about copyrights. Only trace your own sketches and photos.

It is vital that you sketch anything on paper first then draw over the scanned file in illustrator. That is the way, to get high quality results. That is why having illustrator is no enough because sketchin is still the heart of all good vectors.

Things done with automatic rotate and trace tools are so obviously simple. And will never get into IS.

If you weren't already doing them the way I explained above, your work is actually ok taking into account it has been done the wrong way.

ironarrow · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:10 »

Quote from: abimages on January 19, 2009, 10:51

Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 10:22
Quote from: Whiz on January 19, 2009, 10:09
Isn't everyone a "wannabe" at first?

I have a friend who took no photos whatsoever apart from family and holiday photos of his own before. He is not a photography lover. He just bought a camera because I told him he can try and take photos and sell them on micros. He did it and got accepted to IS at the first try because the camera he bought was pretty good. Costs about $3000 to get into IS as a photographer.

So one one hand you encourage a 'non photographer' to start working with micros. And on the other hand discourage 'non vector artists' to not even try

Look, you obviously feel threatened by the competition so my advice would be to stay true to yourself and stick with the day job.

Oh, and regarding your earlier post, the fact of owning a camera for 15 years does not make you a photographer...nor does the six month training you claim to have.
For over 30 years I have worked as a commercial photographer, the first six of which I was training!
Could you compete with me?....No
Am I gonna try and stop you trying?....No
Am I gonna moan when everyone gets a camera and calls themselves a photographer?....No

Theres room in Microstock for all levels, so quit worrying and get on doing your thing.

Well, I am not worrying

I don't have a day job.. That is how well I do as a vector artist..

Why do you ignore my point about tennis players or gymnasts? Can you become a successfull gymnast or a tennis player? No!

Don't tell me sports is different

If sports is different, then vector drawing and photography is different too. If you have been in photohraphy for 30 years you sure know better than me that stock photography is not art

And I can encourage anyone buying a $3000 camera if they can afford it easily.

I will never encourage people to waste 10 hours a day for nothing. At least taking a good landscape photo can be done in 1/10 of a second:) Doing an equally good vector will take much more time.

kaycee · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:12 »

Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 10:58

Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 10:41
Yes of course I would like that I´m not ashamed to get some good advice. I like to draw on paper or with the PC it doesn´t matter as long as I´m busy with my hobbie that includes also photography.

Ok then. It is actually not different doing it on a pc or on paper if you do it the right way.

1- If you don't already have it, buy a graphic tablet. You have to have the feeling of a pencil. Wacom bamboo series are fine. A6 tablet is adequate and cheap.
2- Draw on paper just like you are doing traditionally. Then scan the paper sketch and drag it to an open Illustrator file. Reduce the opacity of the scan and lock that layer. Add a new layer and just trace your sketch with illustrator tools.
3- You can trace photos too, as long as they belong to you. Remember IS is very strict about copyrights. Only trace your own sketches and photos.

It is vital that you sketch anything on paper first then draw over the scanned file in illustrator. That is the way, to get high quality results. That is why having illustrator is no enough because sketchin is still the heart of all good vectors.

Things done with automatic rotate and trace tools are so obviously simple. And will never get into IS.

If you weren't already doing them the way I explained above, your work is actually ok taking into account it has been done the wrong way.

Have done what you mention (have no wacom but a Genius)
But I missing is the effects you now like a real pencil, softness, hardness, greys ,blacks, smudge with the finger etc.........
I know you could this also in illustrator but it´s hard to work easy with the progam and getting the same effects.
So I decided to get a whole different style with vectors-illustrations .
But if you have more advice please let me know.If you want you could check my SS account (see my profile) over there I have some recent vectors I made, I know they are simple but feel free to judge my work.......

ironarrow · « **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:14 »

Quote from: abimages on January 19, 2009, 10:51

Look, you obviously feel threatened by the competition so my advice would be to stay true to yourself and stick with the day job.

If I felt threatened the tiny bit I would not have given kaycee what I believe are some really good advices..

Whiz · « **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:19 »

Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 10:58

Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 10:41
Yes of course I would like that I´m not ashamed to get some good advice. I like to draw on paper or with the PC it doesn´t matter as long as I´m busy with my hobbie that includes also photography.

Ok then. It is actually not different doing it on a pc or on paper if you do it the right way.

1- If you don't already have it, buy a graphic tablet. You have to have the feeling of a pencil. Wacom bamboo series are fine. A6 tablet is adequate and cheap.
2- Draw on paper just like you are doing traditionally. Then scan the paper sketch and drag it to an open Illustrator file. Reduce the opacity of the scan and lock that layer. Add a new layer and just trace your sketch with illustrator tools.
3- You can trace photos too, as long as they belong to you. Remember IS is very strict about copyrights. Only trace your own sketches and photos.

It is vital that you sketch anything on paper first then draw over the scanned file in illustrator. That is the way, to get high quality results. That is why having illustrator is no enough because sketchin is still the heart of all good vectors.

Things done with automatic rotate and trace tools are so obviously simple. And will never get into IS.

If you weren't already doing them the way I explained above, your work is actually ok taking into account it has been done the wrong way.

I just use the pen tool and trace photos; that's how I got into iStockphoto as a vector illustrator. I may try one of these graphic tablets for kicks, though.

Example:

ironarrow · « **Reply #22 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:26 »

Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 11:12

Have done what you mention (have no wacom but a Genius)
But I missing is the effects you now like a real pencil, softness, hardness, greys ,blacks, smudge with the finger etc.........
I know you could this also in illustrator but it´s hard to work easy with the progam and getting the same effects.
So I decided to get a whole different style with vectors-illustrations .
But if you have more advice please let me know.If you want you could check my SS account (see my profile) over there I have some recent vectors I made, I know they are simple but feel free to judge my work.......

I did have a look at them. Here is what I thought:

1- Do not use gradients without purpose. Do not use them at all, just to use them. Remember they are there to add your images some depth pr realism. They should be used right.
2- Study other people's work, look at best sellers. Work harder on your skethces. Make sure your sketch is great before you start working on illustrator. Believe it or not a good sketch is %90 of the job.
3- The effects you want to get can only be achieved by gradient mesh tool. If you have got the PM I sent you, go to those websites and make sure you have got a good training at illustrator.

thijsone · « **Reply #23 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:32 »

ironarrow, i'd love to see some examples of the master. can you provide a link to your own portfolio?

kaycee · « **Reply #24 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:34 »

Quote from: ironarrow on January 19, 2009, 11:26

Quote from: kaycee on January 19, 2009, 11:12
Have done what you mention (have no wacom but a Genius)
But I missing is the effects you now like a real pencil, softness, hardness, greys ,blacks, smudge with the finger etc.........
I know you could this also in illustrator but it´s hard to work easy with the progam and getting the same effects.
So I decided to get a whole different style with vectors-illustrations .
But if you have more advice please let me know.If you want you could check my SS account (see my profile) over there I have some recent vectors I made, I know they are simple but feel free to judge my work.......

I did have a look at them. Here is what I thought:

1- Do not use gradients without purpose. Do not use them at all, just to use them. Remember they are there to add your images some depth pr realism. They should be used right.
2- Study other people's work, look at best sellers. Work harder on your skethces. Make sure your sketch is great before you start working on illustrator. Believe it or not a good sketch is %90 of the job.
3- The effects you want to get can only be achieved by gradient mesh tool. If you have got the PM I sent you, go to those websites and make sure you have got a good training at illustrator.

Thanks

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Author Topic: Vector Artist wannabes! (Read 30955 times)

ironarrow

kaycee

DiscreetDuck

DiscreetDuck

abimages

Perrush

madelaide

ironarrow

Whiz

ironarrow

ironarrow

ironarrow

kaycee

ironarrow

kaycee

abimages

Sean Locke Photography

ironarrow

ironarrow

kaycee

ironarrow

Whiz

ironarrow

thijsone

kaycee

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