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Ask a Pro
Ask a Pro is a collection of illustration related questions answered by top art directors, designers, editors, artist representatives and other professionals in the commercial illustration industry.
If you have a suggestion for a question or know someone who might be a good candidate to answer a couple questions
Contributors
How did you get started in art and illustration?
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In 1983, I showed up at News America Syndicate in Irvine, Calif., with $8 in my checking account and a life-drawing portfolio. After a brief interview, the art director said, 'You're hired, I quit,' and walked out the door. I spent the next three years drawing infographics on acetate.
This is a pathetic start to doing illustration. But at this time, I was going for a Masters in Drawing & Painting/Printmaking and I needed some way to pay for it.
I've never been much for sketching, in fact, most of my prints started with the title (the image followed). Even today, my initial sketch is often a page of words. So the communicative aspect of an image is really what interested me. Although I do have an overriding sensibility to make things 'pretty,' so a lot of my work becomes rather decorative.
Anyway, it was a natural step from producing infographics to moving on into illustration and publication design - and 'communicating' with image.
Jeff Neumann (more answers by this person)
Lead Designer/Creative Director -
The Denver Post/Brand Neumann
http://www.brandneumann.com
How did you get started in art and illustration?
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Ever since a very young age i've had a passion for drwing and art. I studied art and design at art college and specialised in graphic design. I usually combine typography, illustration and photography into my work and always aim to make it as organic as possible. I find it essential in my work to give it a spontatious feel, I think this helps retain the energy that's put into it.
Kerry Roper (more answers by this person)
Designer and illustrator
Kerry Roper
http://www.youarebeautiful.co.uk
How did you get started in art and illustration?
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I started in art as a kid by pure instinct. My interest in illustration, on the other hand, developed later on, once I became much more of a pragmatic person and understood the challenge behind successfully communicating with an active audience.
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By producing lots of work for myself and getting to know and improve my skills as I went. I kept my eyes and ears wide open, and learned all about the different promotional means for illustrators. Staying sharply focused is key.
Fernanda Cohen (more answers by this person)
Illustrator
Fernanda Cohen
http://www.fernandacohen.com
How did you get started in art and illustration?
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I don't have any art school experience but liked to draw and managed to get three years of design experience at a small studio in Colorado. From there I just starting making work and calling up art directors.
Christopher Silas Neal (more answers by this person)
Artist/Illustrator
Christopher Silas Neal
http://www.redsilas.com
How did you get started in art and illustration?
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I think of art and illustration as two different things. Art is complete freedom... any form of expression... Where as illustration is a visual way to communicate a specific message/idea.
I had a learning disability when I was young .. and reading text didn't make much sense to me .. so the early years of my life I responded better to imagery, such as, MAD Magazine, Skateboard Graphics, Food Packaging, stickers, Dr Seuss and Shel Silverstein drawings.. etc I was also pretty hyperactive.. So I didn't have the patience to sit down and read ... imagery was a very quick, effortless way to get information.
Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.. But I think I became aware that what I was doing was called "art" probably at around the age of 7 or so... My mother and grandmother would say "more artwork Nathan?" and I didn't know what it was called .. so sure .. "more artwork"
My first "real" illustration jobs were illustrating Snowboards and T-shirts at the beginning of college.
Nate Williams (more answers by this person)
Illustrator
Nate Williams Art and Illustration
http://www.n8w.com