Heheh!

I remember my dad telling me about how when he was a young man (ie late 1940s / 50s) being an artist could be a really steady job (over here at least) due to the sheer amount of cinemas - all of them had to pay local artists for their posters. Changes in print media, and eventually the microchip / digital age crushed that of course - along with advances in home entertainments. Problem was of course, everything back then was on a "work for hire" basis - something we're finally getting rid of over here (albeit slowly). Have to wonder how much of that kind of work your dad did - not neccesarily cinemas, but the "bread and butter" jobs on a work for hire basis.

Edit: actually I remember a film from that era where the central character did just that... might have been a Norman Wisdom flick. Will have to check and see.

I also want to be an artist, but for game studios or animation houses. i draw sometimes, and i want to brush up on stuff and form my own style. what do i do?

I really don't know, but apparently more was needed for a middle class existence, as he worked in other areas than what he really liked to provide that.

Art he loved, the other was work.

Instead of me, who knows nothing about the field, Sachys might be able to give you some clues.

[in no sensible order]

1: Find out which style you're good at and comfortable with
2: Study it (buy "how to" books if needed)
3: Spend every waking minute possible doing it
4: College / Uni / Other courses are optional but will aid you in ways points 1-3 wont
5: Make sure you have a broad artistic capability (ie dont concentrate on doing manga, and avoiding basic anatomy)
6: Realise nobody REALLY has their own style - everyone has influences that are noticable
7: Be prepared to never earn a living wage again
8: Be prepared to live under the poverty line to be able to do your work in the first place
9: Never take a "work for hire" contract if possible
10: Running out of useful things to say now...
11: Also learn about copyright law (both where you are and internationally) - lawyers cost too much and want to fuck you the wrong way.

Edit:

12: If you have even a modicum of talent, screw the doubters in your life.

Thanks! will take notice. you know the clone wars series from genndy tartakovsky? that's my deal, and why i want to do animation; it's limitless and awesome.

"Edit:

12: If you have even a modicum of talent, screw the doubters in your life."

I need this etched in metal or something, because this is fantastic advice.

Well I really wanted to say kick them in the nuts, but chances are a fair percent will be female... O____O

You might also want to check a magazine called ImagineFX - some quite good tutorials etc and a bunch of free ones on the website:
http://beta.imaginefx.com/tag/tutorial

Most of them deal with concept art, but still carry the fundamentals (such as anatomy and composition).

Edit: and one more tip - set up a deviantart account - uploading your work there and having other artists critique it can be the most helpful thing going at times

Thank you; this helps a lot.

is that the CGI series? - of so, get:

http://pixologic.com/sculptris/
http://www.blender.org/
http://www.daz3d.com
http://www.gimp.org/

All of that (legally) free software and learn it.

I was talking about the mini-series, which introduced General Grievous for the first time. I think it was released in '06, and showed the events leading up directly to episode 3.

But i also like CGI, and i definitely like the cgi show, so thank you for showing me these links.

Thank you so much, i would like to be able to pm you again, please. It would be awesome to have more conversations like this; i want to hear from someone who does this for a living!

I already like sculptris; feels very natural!

Once again, great to see everyone.

Blah, blah, blah...

We all know things can get in a rut, especially during the winter.

Let's fix that a bit.

Neverwinter Nights 2 Complete:



Once again, last part is first, first part is last. A necessary pain, I guess, if people are to get something, rather than an electronic agent.

Good luck, and have fun!

Edit to remove code.

I hope you are not going to leave us for long. You're an amazing person to talk to. One day I'll get a good bottle of cognac and we can share it. Sachys and foxy can tag along as well, but I reckon it will be a pain for the chimp to get a plane ticket. :P

This being said, it was great seeing you. I hope everything goes great for you, and don't you worry! One day I'll get you to join one of my games where we all chat and have a good time.

As for the game, I've been eyeing this for some time, but the price tag was steep for me and I just got it. Thank you very very very much for occupying some 500+ hours of my life. :P I just hope Sachys won't hit with his ape whip like mad because I redeemed a dropped code. I usually never do that, but I make an exception for your code drops because they are always amazing stuff. You know? For someone who doesn't have time to play games, you still got amazing tastes. xD

More like a passport and entry into the states - you do realise we can only get biometric passports here now? - and I refuse those on the grounds they're plain wrong!

Ah, yes! I remember those now. I still have my physical one. I got it in the last year they were making them. Never had to get biometric nonsense. Well, it doesn't matter. I'm sure we can make an effort and join you there. But you better throw a gentlemen's party for us! O_O