Ever since starting at Disney I've been moving my art towards an "animation industry"-like style, because I like entertaining people and making them laugh. And I love the direction I'm headed.
Because of this, I haven't engaged in popular art communities like CGSociety or Deviant Art. They cater to a different audience.
But when a kind reader, Katie De Sousa, linked my site from Deviant Art, my readership jumped up by about 3200 visitors (6500+hits) in a single day. And suddenly, I was drunk with power. I began planning to change my style and use online art communities for my eventual world domination.
Today the eye stars are dimmer and my hands only twitch occasionally. I remember my heart is still in family-focused entertainment. But I am weak and still a little tempted. So I might open up galleries on a couple different sites just to see the response. Yes, I am still the kid who sits on the end of the cool table during lunch, hoping nobody will notice I don't belong. But this time I'm not going to make the mistake of changing who I am.
In other news, I got an image into UDON's DarkStalkers Tribute Book. I loved DarkStalkers as a teenager. But some guys at work were joking about entering a contest with an image that makes fun of the contest subject, and I couldn't help myself. Why do I have an obsession with half-retarded superheroes? To be fair, I wasn't as mean as I could have been.
Making moolah on the side is the way to go. I know one artist in particular (John Nevarez), he'd sell his sketches book for 10 or 20 bucks a pop. That can generate a pretty good income.
ReplyDeleteHeh. I'm actually one of your new fans via Katie De Sousa and I really look forward to seeing more of your work. Impressive stuff. There definitely is value in art communities like DA.
ReplyDeleteMoney is good. A good community fan-base could very well be a boon to your book sales.
Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with DarkStalkers, but I've definitely seen this character around for too long . . .
-It's about time someone made fun of her!
That cross-eyed look is priceless. Just don't do a cross-eyed Cyclops, or we'll all be in trouble with that wild eye beam.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see that people on those other sites like you stuff. Way to go!
I think your stuff will be well appreciated on somewhere like DeviantArt. There's lots of variety on there, despite it looking like a giant community of anime fans. I'll certainly be watching if you decide to sign up!
ReplyDeleteHahah sweet painting! :)
ReplyDeleteI think both Deviantart an CGsociety have SO many members, that you'll develop an enormous fanbase no matter what style of art you create as long as it's good (which your work is.) Your work is great and I wholeheartedly encourage you to get it out there as much as possible. People need to be exposed to artists like yourself to add a little more to the pool of styles and aesthetics that exist in those places.
ReplyDeletethere is not much for me to say but FUCKIN A!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have a Deviant Art gallery and while the population there consists largely of anime perverts and furries there are also some decent folk that will appreciate your work without making you feel too yucky.
ReplyDeleteOMGZ. YOU LINKED ME. I'm sorry I'm having a super "fangirl" moment here! When I found your blog I honestly went through every post because I adore your work so much, I couldn't get enough! I actually spent hours in Painter trying to understand how you use the tools so well. (I failed miserably and promptly ran back to photoshop btw)
ReplyDeleteI love your all-ages oriented style, it looks so good (because you have mad skills), and it's light, and funny, and just plain awesome. I would buy the hell out of your artbook if you released one! I may be biased but I think your art would be a hit on any community... personally I feel there is too much of certain genres on DA/CG Society/ CG Hub, and your work is a refreshing change.
P.S. I love your retarded super heroes!
Wow , Impressive Sam , i like those wings!.
ReplyDelete.Perfect like ever time!
Great!!!
ReplyDeleteHope to see your book published in Italy too!
Using sites like Deviant Art is a great idea, but you have to be careful. Even as a young artist just messing around in school, I had to take a break from DA. I really started to change to just try and get more people to watch me and make comments and was producing lots of low quality art just so I would have something to post every day. It is a slippery slope indeed.
ReplyDeleteOh, I have no problem in giving you my money when this art book comes out! I do share your love for the direction your work is headed, since I'm a big fan of your work.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'd like to tell you I loved your rendition of Morrigan... It's incredible how you can give a funny feeling into the art you do, sir. Congratulations!
hey Sam! this is great! I was wondering..did you had time to do some thing with Inma´s work?? http://artsammich.blogspot.com/2009/03/winners.html
ReplyDeleteA hug from Spain!
Sam, your work rocks, I can't wait for your book!
ReplyDeleteMiguel: Yep, I'm working on it but I keep putting it off. One of these days I'll buckle down and finish it off so you can see how it turned out.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletelooks rad
ReplyDeleteCyree,
ReplyDeleteTry ArtId.com - not yucky or furry!
http://www.artid.com
Wonderful art has been shared here. Thanks for sharing this post.
ReplyDelete