[JamesO2]

I want to know if there is anyone on this site that currently does freelance art, design, illustration, or animation?

I used to do a little online freelance a couple years ago (when I was about 20)... but my business skills were lacking, and I ended up having a hard time finding work and often accepted pay that (I now realize) was really low.

I would like to get back into the freelance game, but am not entirely sure what angle to approach. I would love to talk to someone who is currently in the business of freelance art, just to get some pointers.

Ideally, I'd love to have someone I could shadow one-on-one (like an apprenticeship) so that I can learn the proper methods and what works and what doesn't. I'm not asking for a cut of your pay, or stealing any of your clients or anything like that. I'm just looking for some solid help from one human being to another.

Thanks!

Here's some of my art:
Art of James Orth II

[Can't Stop Crying]

i don't have any tips, just wanted to say you are very talented, your art is beautiful

[growlycat]

I used to freelance but I'm FT design again.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!!
Graphic Artists Guild is great to join to learn about pricing and best practices.

[growlycat]

Thanks for the portfolio link!
Ever consider submitting your designs to thread less.com or designbyhumans?

[JamesO2]

@growlycat I'll have to PM you some questions. Thanks!

I have some designs up on RedBubble because I've heard good things about it. I know Threadless and Society6 are like the same thing. I've never heard of DrsignByHumans, I'll have to check that out.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/jame...olor?p=t-shirt

I need me designs up. I'm slacking. Lol.

I've heard RedBubble has the best print quality, but I don't personally know. I've contemplated putting designs on ALL of those shirt sites, but I don't know if that would be overkill. What do you think?

[growlycat]

Nothing is overkill IMHO

Have you ever tried opening a "storefront" on ETSY?

It also doesn't hurt to make a PR/self promotion kit to send to targeted companies (indie record labels/surf and skate companies etc.)

Promo kits can be expensive or cheap but your best bet is to start building a targeted contact list (I love Linked In!) It's always best to find a real person to send portfolio samples to, not just "Design Department".

[LifeInProgress]

Looking at your style, have you considered tattoo flash? I know a couple of artists who work in that field.

I do mostly watercolours and have had the best sales luck with greeting cards printed from my painting. Not that I am rolling in dough from it.

Best of luck to you. Art is a tough game to make a living in. You have the skills, now you just need to market them and find the right buyer.

[JamesO2]

@growlycat
Doesn't Etsy charge a monthly "rent" to have a store? Last time I checked (years ago) it did. Otherwise, I'm all about Etsy.

I need to figure out what my "target audience" would be. I'm not sure yet. Honestly I would love to illustrate children's books, but I don't know how to get into that business.

@LifeInProgress
I've never considered tattoo anything before. I'm not so good with very abstract designs most commonly found in tattoo work. I also don't much care for the body mod scene. A lot of the people I've met through there have a very holier-than-thou attitude about their personal brand of art. I wonder if all art fields are like that though. I hate arrogant people. I'm really down to earth, which is why I'd love to do kids books. I can't imagine people in that field are very pretentious.

I LOVE water color, but I'm personally no good at it. Do you have any links to your work or a portfolio? I've always had the best experience learning a field by studying a person who's doing it right. So I'd love to see what has worked for you.

Thanks for everything!

[Sameer6]

Originally Posted by JamesO2

I want to know if there is anyone on this site that currently does freelance art, design, illustration, or animation?

Are you looking to sell your Art ? I make photo manipulations for extinct animals sometimes.I'm in deviantart.Have you heard about it ? Recently only i set few Prints there to sell,however that is a very large site.To sell arts,it's better to put them in some more sites and i'm feeling uncomfortable to put some of these arts in other sites.