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I plan to leave tech to pursue art

liamhz.com

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Re: I plan to leave tech to pursue art

#21

Post by HiroshiSan »

I did something similar though I never made it into tech, I dropped out of a bachelor's in math to pursue art, this was roughly 5 years ago and it's been a tough journey, I wish you the best of luck.

Some resources that will help you a long the way:

youtube: proko steve huston steven zapata ahmed aldoori sinix

nma.art watts atelier schoolism

Try to find a local life drawing class and go every single week.

Animation specific check out Toniko Pantoja, ModerndayJames.

I'm currently trying to change my relationship to art from something I pursue to make money, to something I enjoy doing to fuel my soul. I haven't drawn in a couple months, but I've come to terms that it's something I'll always be pursuing, in what capacity I'm not sure, but art, is the coolest thing that's ever come into my life.

Re: I plan to leave tech to pursue art

#22

Post by ChrisMarshallNY »

bombcar wrote: post #17
ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was an artist. A fairly decent one (I don't really have a gallery of my stuff up, anymore, but here's a couple[0-1]). That was a while ago (a long while ago. Over 35 years). I figured out that even a top-shelf artist (and I don't think that was my destiny) wouldn't make as much as mediocre programmer. Nowadays, I have sort of "run off to join the circus." I write software for free. [0] https://littlegreenviper.com/…

Now a programmer that can do art? That may come in useful!

I do most of my own graphic assets.

I know there’s many better artists, out there, but I’m good enough for government work.

Re: I plan to leave tech to pursue art

#23

Post by ChrisMarshallNY »

djha-skin wrote: post #18
ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was an artist. A fairly decent one (I don't really have a gallery of my stuff up, anymore, but here's a couple[0-1]). That was a while ago (a long while ago. Over 35 years). I figured out that even a top-shelf artist (and I don't think that was my destiny) wouldn't make as much as mediocre programmer. Nowadays, I have sort of "run off to join the circus." I write software for free. [0] https://littlegreenviper.com/…

Pretty dope drawings.

Thanks! But that was long ago.

There’s a picture of Arteeste Chris, back then, in this story: https://littlegreenviper.com/miscellany/the-road-most-travel...

Re: I plan to leave tech to pursue art

#24

Post by bluquark »

I'd recommend checking out books on career transitions before pulling the trigger, for example The Squiggly Career and Refuse to Choose. Also try reaching out to working artists and ask them to a coffee to discuss what the life is like: many people actually welcome the opportunity to give a stranger the advice they wish they had known when they were younger.

Re: I plan to leave tech to pursue art

#26

Post by JKCalhoun »

eludwig wrote: post #4

The grass is always greener! :-D I smile because I left commercial art back in the 80's to become a software developer! More power to Laim and I hope it works out well for him, but I have my doubts. Working as a full-time (especially on-staff) artist answerable to an Art Director sucks!! Artists are not respected, paid terribly and just generally considered disposable. At least that's how it was in my day. Again, Lia…

I stood at a fork in the road, so to speak, when I was kicked out of the house and had to decide whether to pursue art or tech (I enjoyed both). It was clear to me tech would pay the bills — the art I could do in my spare time.

Retired (am I?) now, I can do all the art I want.

Re: I plan to leave tech to pursue art

#27

Post by danielvaughn »

ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #9
danielvaughn wrote: post #6

Funny, I left art for tech. Making art is intrinsically rewarding but doing it for money can be absolute hell. Best of luck to op.

I was an artist. A fairly decent one (I don't really have a gallery of my stuff up, anymore, but here's a couple[0-1]). That was a while ago (a long while ago. Over 35 years). I figured out that even a top-shelf artist (and I don't think that was my destiny) wouldn't make as much as mediocre programmer. Nowadays, I have sort of "run off to join the circus." I write software for free. [0] https://littlegreenviper.com/…

Nice! I stopped about 10 years ago - last time I was active was 2011. I didn't think I had anything left up, but I was able to dig up some very old Behance stuff:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/2201575/Drawings-2010-2011

https://www.behance.net/gallery/2992181/Vector-Works-2010-20...

Re: I plan to leave tech to pursue art

#28

Post by JKCalhoun »

aiappreciator wrote: post #19
djha-skin wrote: post #16

> In the near future I want to become a concept artist in the games industry Worst industry ever by all the accounts I've heard. Part of the compensation package is that you are working in the gaming industry. Long hours, lousy pay, ill treatment. Go for the art mate but pursue a different industry.

Its also literally the worst type of artist to be. Concept art is the most vulnerable type of art to AI. AI already does concept art way better than humans, 1 concept artist can now do the job of 10. Because AI is good at variation and creativity, bad at detail/coherence, concept art favors the former, needs less of the latter. Why doesn't OP MAKE games instead of being a mere artist? If you can program, and have a p…

I'm not worried about competition from "AI art" — am I just stupid and ill-informed?

Pursuing game concept-art though appears to me to be a drag simply because of the sameness of it. I know the author of the article thinks it's become a wide open field for creativity but my eye stills see the same fantasy-super-hero-manga genre that probably keeps computer games from being seen as deserving of being called "art" to society at large.

Re: I plan to leave tech to pursue art

#29

Post by LiamHz »

Hi! I'm the author of this post -- it was an unlisted draft that I shared with a few friends, was planning to rewrite most of this before publishing. Please forgive the rough edges

Main changes I'd make to this article

- Agreed with others that I might be naive, but I'm 20 y/o and now's the right time to shoot for my dreams rather than settle

- I'm applying to animation school soon (Sheridan). I started coding when I was 12, I expect this career change to take a few years, and am in it for the long haul

- My worst case is I don't enjoy working in art, and go back to tech. I don't believe you can make a successful career change without going all-in

Happy to answer any questions :)

Made a little music video with some of my art if you'd like to take a peek

https://twitter.com/LiamHinzman/status/1589660449271959552

Re: I plan to leave tech to pursue art

#30

Post by JKCalhoun »

ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #9
danielvaughn wrote: post #6

Funny, I left art for tech. Making art is intrinsically rewarding but doing it for money can be absolute hell. Best of luck to op.

I was an artist. A fairly decent one (I don't really have a gallery of my stuff up, anymore, but here's a couple[0-1]). That was a while ago (a long while ago. Over 35 years). I figured out that even a top-shelf artist (and I don't think that was my destiny) wouldn't make as much as mediocre programmer. Nowadays, I have sort of "run off to join the circus." I write software for free. [0] https://littlegreenviper.com/…

I've always suspected that the guy selling paintings on saw blades at the local wine and art festival is doing better than most artists in the field.
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