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Scyrel In reply to sanitrance [2016-11-15 03:49:25 +0000 UTC]

I think this took about a week and a half. I did the rough animation in TVPaint Animation thinking I'd do it all in there, but PS had the pen tool. You can animate frame by frame or with a timeline in PS. (The timeline process is similar to After Effects animation techniques.) For this, I used the timeline and it was much less of a headache than the other.

Since the key to animation is the timing, I like to use programs that have an easy flow to their playback feature. Photoshop offers many uses alone, but it's not my favorite tool for animation. Right now I'm experimenting again, so I've been trying to learn the complexity of TVPaint's setup, but have been using PS to do work for a client's mobile game. I've yet to use the latest Flash, though I've been considering it recently.

If you need help on figuring out how the animation workspace works or any tips, I'm willing to help.

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sanitrance In reply to Scyrel [2016-11-16 02:11:09 +0000 UTC]

thanks for the tips and help! I'll def keep you in mind should I have questions. I'll probably head to Youtube and tutorials too for help x)

keep up the awesome works. you're very talented you know. I love how diverse your work can be.

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Scyrel In reply to sanitrance [2016-11-16 05:51:49 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! It's a very hard road trying to survive as an artist, but the more variety in things I can do the more work I can offer and the better my chances at working on projects with other artists.

Shooting for a career in art has definitely forced me to branch out.

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sanitrance In reply to Scyrel [2016-11-16 17:35:42 +0000 UTC]

that's great to hear! it sounds hard. that's all I ever hear from artists all around. how hard it is but they wouldn't want to be doing anything else.

I don't think people outside of that really understand how difficult it can be to continuously create. I hope you find more success and it's good to know you're branching out. so you just doing freelance right now?

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Scyrel In reply to sanitrance [2016-11-16 23:42:05 +0000 UTC]

Yes, most artists struggle at one point or another to make enough money to survive, except for a very small lucky few who get enough work to do very well. I've definitely thought many times about other careers choices or doing different jobs that honestly would pay better, but I only see myself being depressed by doing that other job. I've got enough food service experience that I could ask to be shift supervisor or work up to being a manager, but working the bottom of the barrel of society is extremely unpleasant.

Regular people don't typically understand the creative process and many artists don't realize how difficult it is to get or maintain the jobs they want. It's a rather nasty realization once you dive into it. Some people get to know the right people at the right time and the rest of us don't yet get that stroke of luck. The more you reach out to people online and in person, however, the better your chances at getting a foot in the door.

I've been freelancing since June, working on various small projects, some of which require an animation and others an illustration or character design sheet. I've also offered some graphic design as well due to it's popularity in my area, but it can be a little boring to be a graphic designer. You could say I've been lucky with getting the clients since a couple just appeared looking for help with their ideas, but I'm reaching a period where I need to reach out again. (This is the part that sucks with freelancing, the worst is having a very difficult client) So, yeah, I hope to get more work soon and the main reason I don't openly ask for commissions is because even though they are always open most people expect something cheap.

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sanitrance In reply to Scyrel [2016-11-17 05:37:17 +0000 UTC]

true true. your relationships with others are a BIG factor in your success in anything you do really. but very true for artists. it's important to stay constantly engaged, constantly networking and marketing yourself, and keeping your work flow consistent. I know a few artists that have gone pro to living off their art and they constantly say it is never finished. putting yourself out there so you're actually found. because waiting around for people to come to you sure won't do you any favors. no matter how good you are. people won't just magically know who you are or what kind of work you do unless you yourself put it out there wherever you can to build upon your support base and find new potential clients/projects.

and freelancing sounds really harsh. you kind of have to make yourself draw. even on the days you don't want to. but ya gotta keep making new work. new art. keep pushing yourself to keep people interested and keep your livelihood alive. I commend you for doing that. I get nervous just thinking of when I make it to that point - trying to make a living off my art. very daunting thought. I currently work a day job myself and then come home to work on art if I'm not super dead tired. I often wish i could just work on art all day but I'm not in a position to do that right now. I have to refine my skills and learn A LOT before that happens.

i'm glad you've had some work though. hope you find more!

and yes, I get the commissions thing. people always complain about art being too pricey. but hey, you're paying for a service. someone puts real time, money, and effort into that picture you see before you for a few minutes. and especially to those of you that are earning a living off of that hard work. you have to make a living right?
arts are always in high demand from consumers but it's sadly rarely ever treated with the respect it deserves. those that don't do it just don't understand how hard it is.

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Scyrel In reply to sanitrance [2016-11-17 16:08:25 +0000 UTC]

It's been suggested to me many times that I need to find a legit art job with a company before going the freelance route, however those are real hard to get by themselves. It may be necessary for me to find a day job to make some steady income soon, since I do not make enough right now to survive on, but it could be used as extra money for when I start paying some real bills. Right now I have to decide whether to upgrade my computer or service my car.

I've been going to events with a friend of mine to network as much as possible and we both try to brainstorm about what to do next to get attention from folks. We intend on making a small game with other people, but only when there's some steady money flow first.

My introverted personality struggles very hard at networking, almost like it feels I have the wrong personality to pull off this career, yet there are many folks in the same position or worse that have jobs. I've had to practice being extroverted in small bursts and that's hard for me to maintain. There's been a lot of personal growth in the past couple years.

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sanitrance In reply to Scyrel [2016-11-17 18:17:37 +0000 UTC]

Well that's good that you have a buddy to help you out I'm sure some people don't even have that. I certainly would think that to be immensely helpful as opposed to being completely alone in this. 

I often feel that way often too because I'm very anti-social by nature and a bit on the timid side for personality. I've many times felt like I don't have the "right" personality to be an artist. As like I mentioned, you're relationships and ability to work and communicate with others plays a massive role in your career. You HAVE to be engaging. 
But many artistic types tend to be introverted people and being extroverted is a skill they have to learn in public face. I'm sure you're exhausted after conventions and events. Always sounds like a hectic but rewarding experience. I would like to attend such things next year and after to build up my ability to handle crowds and regular interaction. I have much growing to do myself.

best wishes to you!

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Scyrel In reply to sanitrance [2016-11-18 16:25:30 +0000 UTC]

The events are great, but it is very exhausting. Especially when you've been drawing for nearly 12 hours Friday through Sunday. It's hard to get food sometimes we have so much business.

With practice we all can get better! Good luck to you too.

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Scyrel In reply to Pyalicious [2016-11-15 03:51:16 +0000 UTC]

Photoshop is a pain to animate in. xD However, it is good for creating backgrounds and doing effects for animation.

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Scyrel In reply to LunaSheWolf [2016-11-15 03:51:30 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I agree.

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