I'm not an artist, but I do have some interesting concepts. Where do I go?

[14R]

Greetings,

I'm not sure if here is the right place, but let's try it anyways. I'm 34 years old and I do have a career (that has nothing to do with art or drawing) that keeps me away from the massive hours one can (and should) dedicate to become a high level artist like some we have here. However, since I was on my late teens playing RPG, depending on friends to have my characters on paper was and still is very frustrating. because of that, I purchased the right materials and spent some time drawing here and there.

What I noticed was that, by far, my call is to create a concept, that goes from overall image all the way to scripts for small comics strips and even graphic novel material. I would never be able to do what I really wanted to do with some of my characters.

I currently have at least 10 pages on word with character descriptions, plots, even the storyboards for some basic comics were created. I have no intention to do this professionally, but I would love to see some of my characters on paper, with this high level of digital paintings that I see around CA forum.

Is there such a thing as a space here where I can type a concept and artists (if they feel like it) render images of the concept I created in a way that I can print and actually see my characters "alive"?

What do you suggest? I might just wait another 20 years 'till I retire and use all my savings on massive education at the age of 55. But would be nice to see it before that :(

Thank you for your help.

14R.

[fanficbug]

Honestly, my suggestion to you would be to put in as many hours as you can drawing--it's worth it in the long run. Nobody can do your characters like you. Ultimately, YOU will be able to imbue them with the kind of life they deserve the most. The link in my signature ("Conclusion: DRAW DRAW DRAW") should should help show you that it does eventually get easier and quicker to draw, if you want to take a look.

And FYI, you don't need a massive, expensive education. Take a look at this thread and you'll see what I mean: Journey of an Absolute Rookie (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=870). It does take a long time, I'm not going to lie to you. But it's so worth it in the end.

Barring that, my best suggestion would be to either hire an artist, or find one who would be willing to work with you. Be prepared to pay a lot (especially if you're going to try to get these comics published--though I believe you said you have no interest in that) or to accept an artist of perhaps less skill or a different style than you were hoping to get. I wouldn't count on the latter though--by and large we have our own concepts to work on, so we'll probably have little to no interest in charity.

Once you do get an artist, be sure and communicate what you want clearly and with as much detail as you can. It takes a lot of details to draw a complete character, so the artist that you hire or work with will fill the gaps where needed, sometimes with stuff that you don't want, necessitating a redo. Try to avoid this as much as you can. It's very frustrating for an artist to have to redo something because the client didn't specify enough information at the outset. By the same token, make sure your artist communicates with you about what they intend to minimize frustration.

As for where to hire? Well, here is a good place to start, like you said. :) There's an "artists looking for work (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13)" forum as well as a "I'm an employer looking for an artist (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12)" forum. Or there's always Craigslist. A word to the wise if you're looking for art for free though: artists don't appreciate employers whose idea of a reward is "it'll get you good exposure" or "you'll get to put it in your portfolio" (http://positionrelative.wordpress.com/2007/01/23/craigs-pissed/). Not that I'm implying that you would try something like that--more that you'll need to word your request carefully so that it doesn't come off as you trying to rip someone off.

I think I've covered it all . . . Feel free to ask about anything that I haven't.

[14R]

Very impressive. Your post (and the links) are quite inspiring. If that level of improvement can be achieved in approximately 4 years, if I give myself 10 years I might reach what I want.

I found a friend of mine from High School that owns a small advertising agency. he is willing to do the coloring of any serious lineart I come up with with my characters, so I found some motivation on it to take the initial steps in that direction. Once I have some decent material, I'll create a topic similar to the inspiring one you linked. How knows what will be there in 2018?

Thank you very much for your time.

14R.

[enrigo]

If you are short on big chunks of free time, you should keep a small sketchpad with you and do some bits of observational drawings whenever you are free through the day. It's good practice and easy to fit in to tight schedules, try to make drawing easy for you and you'll feel like doing it. :)

[steve kim]

no one will draw your characters for you, unless you pay them

drawing is not that hard. the timetables you've mentioned (approximately 4 years etc) are meaningless. in the end, drawing is not that hard nor what comes after (coloring, painting, etc)... but it does take effort.

[arttorney]

If you lurk around in Mentoring, the Tutorials links stickied in the tops of Critique Center and Fine Art Studies and Discovery and the forum for whatever computer program you are drawing with you will see a lot of exercises and things you can try in your sketchbook. There's no need to stagnate for lack of inspiration or direction. A lot of the things being taught on here are the same things you would get for pay at college. The only difference is that here you have to be self motivated. Nobody is going to give you an F if you fail here. Basically, the only way to get an F here is to fail yourself. Good luck!

[fanficbug]

Hey guys: just so you know, he started a sketchbook a la MindCandyMan. Give him some love! (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1744846&posted=1)