Working outside of your own style.

[Interceptor]

I'm wondering how much this happens to everyone, and how you deal with it.

I've just started getting to do some professional work. And now I just had an employer ask me to do something for an advertisment, but say, " I want this done in a Penny-Arcade cartoon type of style." This is'nt anywhere near my type of work. So at this point, I'm wondering if the whole job is just over, or if I should try to negotiate my own style, or what some of you would do in this situation.

Thank you.
-Loren.

[Arctis]

I guess it dependson several factors :
- how much you need this money
- which quality your employer is expecting for
- How you feel this new style.

It's part of the job to convince this guy that you're the one who is the right guy. There's a method taught in commercial shools, when you're in front of somebody who don't agree with you : when he has made his point, you say "yes, I understand what you mean, but on the other hand ....(your ideas)"
A client can have good ideas, of course, it's a partnership.
Anyway you can't do correctly what you don't feel, but since so many people are able to pay for crap, it may not be necessarily a problem for the one who pay you...

Good luck

[Alday.J]

I think that changing style will be consider like a challenge or a good oportunity for experimenting. Agree with Arctis (again, he !), it's generally asked by the employers who have a precise idea of what they want ! Did you ask this because you're curently in that kind of situation ? Just asking.
Cheers, bro !
J.

[Interceptor]

I am in this situation. My problem is.. it's the beginning of my art as a 'career', and since I'm just starting out, I'm not sure how picky I should be with work. I feel like a diva even asking this question, like I think I am "too good" for this kind of work. I hope I'm not coming off like that.

[Profil]

Do it cartoon style. Of course it's going to look like you've done it, but with a cartoon style.
This reminds me of when Marko talked in Prague. He said that the guys at Massiveblack had to sit and just do cartoons for a whole week, even if that's not their normal "style." That's why it's important to know the basics.

[Interceptor]

Do it cartoon style. Of course it's going to look like you've done it, but with a cartoon style.
This reminds me of when Marko talked in Prague. He said that the guys at Massiveblack had to sit and just do cartoons for a whole week, even if that's not their normal "style." That's why it's important to know the basics.

It's not an issue of me not wanting to. It's an issue of me not being very familiar with that style. And given the deadline, I'm not sure what kind of quality I could produce.

[CaptainInsano]

I'm in the same situation. I am often asked to draw in this style, or that style. Most of the time I'm not familiar with the style, so I look up images of it and do my best to mimick it. It's pretty easy after a while.

I just draw it in the style my director wants. If you are adamant that it should be done in a different style, then you could draw it the way your boss wants it, and do a sketch of how you think it should look, and give him both. Whatever you do, just don't get into an argument about it. It's not worth losing your job over it.

Later, you'll get work at a place that actually cares about your input.

[Interceptor]

Thanks, Parker. And everyone else. I'm off to start my work than :) I'll see if I can post it later :)

[loomer]

I feel for you man - Actually almost all the jobs I have gotten (which haven't been alot mind you) have been in some style I'd rather not do. I do them for money/experience but I do not want to put any of these pieces in my portfolio or website because I do not want to start a trend of future clients requesting artwork I'm trying to get away from. good luck man..hopefully we'll both be getting jobs that let our personal touch shine

[Ilaekae]

There's an old tradition in the advert studio world...when a client asks if you can do a drawing in blood, you say "Yes" and then you get a knife and look for a really useless intern. It's called making a living. If he had asked if you could build a nuclear bomb or walk on water, your answer would have been the same...hell, you've got all night to learn how.

If you have to eat, nothing is beneath you (within reason--never do anything that will destroy your reputation or credibility). When you no longer have to worry about the empty larder and the rent, you can get picky. It comes with the territory. Christ, the only "decent" art I've done in the last year are quicky editorial cartoons for a small local newspaper...a type of work so far "beneath" my normal working limits that I've accidently won one second place and five first place awards in their regional trade awards competition...in five years...while i was half asleep usually.

My point is, if you really feel you can't do whatever is asked because of fear of failing in the attempt, admit it up front, and see if they're willing to let you try anyway. If you don't wanna get "involved" because you think it's beneath you, swallow your pride and give 'em the best "piece of shit" they've ever seen in their lives. That's what pros do. When you're a recognized world-acclaimed "genius," you can sit on your gold throne in your emerald-encrusted crown and tell everybody who doesn't wanna kiss your ass your way to go to hell. :)

[Quicksilver]

Ilaekae's such a legend...

Interceptor: Just go for it. Okay, I don't have any experience in working as a pro, but I do know that if I have to do something, I will (if there's money involved then all the better, haha). The commission I've got requires me to draw in anime style, which I'm trying to avoid, and heck the job I've got now only pays £3 an hour but I took it anyway to pay off for Christmas.

Sometimes you have to go down in order to go up, get me? :)

[Slash]

Ilaekae, if yoda impregnated a comedian the result would be you. youre so wise and funny, im giggling inside.

Very good advice, now all thats left to do is go read penny-arcade. (sometimes researching is funnier than the job itself! :D)

[figure2]

I'm wondering how much this happens to everyone, and how you deal with it.

I've just started getting to do some professional work. And now I just had an employer ask me to do something for an advertisment, but say, " I want this done in a Penny-Arcade cartoon type of style." This is'nt anywhere near my type of work. So at this point, I'm wondering if the whole job is just over, or if I should try to negotiate my own style, or what some of you would do in this situation.Here are some basic tips & caveats about working in a style that is different from what you normally do:

1. As Ilaekae said, do this for the cash. Chances are it may not go into your portfolio. Even if it turns out well, a single piece that is vastly different from everything else in your portfolio will not be likely to get you more work. Art directors like to see at least 4 or five examples of a particular style in your portfolio before they would feel comfortable enough to give you an assignment based on that style.

2. If the piece turns out well, one of two things could happen as a result: The client will be extremely thankful that you solved a difficult problem for them when they needed something outside the norm and may result in regular work in the future. Or: The art director will forever associate you with the penny arcade style and you will be passed over for work that you really want to do because of that association (this actually happens).

3. Tip: when working outside of your own style, ask for as much direction as you can get. Penny arcade art can represent many styles and the one you are thinking of may be different than the picture in the art director's mind. Ask for examples of what the art director has in mind. This help you solve the problem quicker and save you many frustrating rounds of sketches and drawings as you try to guess what the art director wants.

4. If possible, use this opportunity of solving the art director's problem to build a better working relationshop with him/her.

[Ilaekae]

Well stated, Figure'...

[Interceptor]

Thanks everyone. And once again, I hope I did'nt sound like a diva. I was only curious about the ethics of doing a piece like this if you're not sure you're 110% sure about your style and skill. But you've all cleared it up :)