Embrace online art forums
touched to know that his art has inspired you to strive on as an artist. I read Michael’s letter (Digital Avenues) in issue 117 and realised that I could perhaps suggest something useful. He says that he lives in a small place with no one to share his digital art passions with, but there’s an easy solution! There are several online forums where one can upload sketches and exercises. The most popular include the Sycra forum, ConceptArt.org forum, Crimson Daggers, Permanoobs… and I’m sure there are more!
I’m trying out Sycra’s at the moment and I’ve already got lots of recommendations for YouTube channels to follow, pointers and critiques. Everyone was very welcoming and I doubt anyone cares at all about anyone’s age on there!
And while on to the age topic, which he mentions and tends to pop up every now and then, Van Gogh apparently started painting when he was 28 (which, for the time, was pretty late). I heard that Brad Rigney started in his 30s and he’s a great artist who works for Wizards of The Coast. I also found a story of a guy who landed a gig with Hasbro when he was 40 or so, after 15 years in the police!
I’d particularly recommend Sycra’s videos on the subject (I’m not his PR agent, I promise, but I did find them enormously motivating!) on YouTube. They’re free and very easy to follow. Teresa, via email Claire replies Thank you Teresa. What a well-thought out response! Hopefully Michael and perhaps some other readers will realise that they’re not alone and that there are many like-minded people out there online. I have found the art community to be one of the most friendliest and giving communities there is. It’s certainly well worth getting involved.