Question? Professional vs Amateur

[KLJ3]

Hi everyone,

I have a quick question regarding the ratio of professionally employed against amateur artist and writers with the asparation of becoming professional on this board. There is some amazing, amazing work on here, both art and writing but it seems like very little colaboration between the two. This may just be my naivity. Is this due to most people being professionals and by this I mean in paid work? I understand that art can be a long process. I'm working on my own story at the moment in between working full time and doing the usual stuff that life throws at you. However, it is definite way to hone your skills with the added bonus of maybe creating something amazing and getting your name noticed.
This is not a complaint or a flame. Just opening up discussion and maybe a little colaboration.

KL Jeffery :smile:

[DanielSchenstrom]

I can only speak for myself. I do freelance illustration on my spare time but have yet to actively pursue a professional career in comics.

That spare time is very very limited due to me being an editor and creator (both writer and artist) for a superhero fanzine here in Sweden.
I tried to find time to participate in the Sequential Art challenge here, but after the two first I just couldn't.

If you're looking to expand and get yourself noticed there are a few other large boards with a more active member base, and more focused on the creative side of comics, Penciljack being the one that first comes to mind.

I have noticed however that it's far easier for an artist to be noticed than a writer, I guess it's a lot easier to just look at a picture or page than reading a sample script, even a short one.

As an editor I have also noticed that most artists tend to want to do their own stuff unless it's at a professional level and it's hard to make an artist interested in ones concept unless it's something from a major franchise.

[LewMoxinsghost]

Hi everyone,

I have a quick question regarding the ratio of professionally employed against amateur artist and writers with the asparation of becoming professional on this board. There is some amazing, amazing work on here, both art and writing but it seems like very little colaboration between the two. This may just be my naivity. Is this due to most people being professionals and by this I mean in paid work? I understand that art can be a long process. I'm working on my own story at the moment in between working full time and doing the usual stuff that life throws at you. However, it is definite way to hone your skills with the added bonus of maybe creating something amazing and getting your name noticed.
This is not a complaint or a flame. Just opening up discussion and maybe a little colaboration.

KL Jeffery :smile:

Good question.. I think a poll thread on this would probably answer the demographics of who is a "professional" vs. "amateur" or somebody like myself who was professionally trained, but an outsider to the industry. But the thing about polls is that they are only accurate for the people who bother to particpate in them. It may not be a popular question to ask due to the almost personal nature of it. Might as well say "HEY YOU, HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU MAKE??"

I have noticed there is a semblance of a community here, and that when people do collaborate, they usually take it out of the thread where they can have more independent control of it. This seems to be more for getting that democratic nod yes your art is headed in the right direction or no, you are way off. But, then as Dan said, I can only speak for myself. I am still fairly new here.

Are you interested in collaborating with others?

[the goddamn batman]

I work as an illustrator. It's not full time, but honestly, I don't think I could do commercial illustration full time. I don't really mind bartending.

Neither of them leave me much time or energy to do much personal work these days. I do maker better money doing illustration, though. For whatever that's worth.