Experience of becoming a freelance illustrator —— How to become an illustrator?

How to be an illustrator? I gave myself a reason to study illustration.

My major in university is science and engineering. I resigned after working in a state-owned enterprise for two years. How did I learn illustration one year after I resigned?

It's been a whole year since I started to learn illustration at this time last year. Like most people, when I first started to learn illustration, I also received many obstacles, such as: you started too late now ... making illustrations requires a lot of skills, but you didn't ... all these are true, but they still didn't stop me from starting.

The reason is love, of course. If you can do what you love, you are really lucky.

Especially now illustrations have been widely used in all walks of life, including startup pages, banners, special topics, refresh pages, details pages, icons, pop-up boxes, background pictures, holiday splash screens, expression packs, packaging, vi design, book illustrations, and many illustrations. Even now, illustrations in ui design have become a plus item. It is so important to know how to illustrate. Even if it's just a hobby, you will find the whole life better.

Two _ quail coward ≡≡?шlooks OK, I said OK, simple, not difficult.

This year, many people asked me, can I really learn illustration well without taking classes and laying a foundation? Are you really zero-based? My study experience tells me that it is possible! No one is born to be an illustrator. Excellent illustrators learn a little, so can we. And many illustrators are very good at sharing, and I have benefited a lot from it. Although there is still a big gap between my paintings and theirs, I am glad that I have made rapid progress in sorting out my works this year.

Three _ There is no way to teach yourself illustrations. In fact, I am just digging a hole for myself.

At the beginning, when I taught myself illustration, I knew that I was reading with a book or pulling a bunch of video tutorials from the Internet, but I always felt that I was stuck in my study. My study was always in a mess and my mind was in a mess. On the road of self-study, the more you go forward and work harder, the more you have an impulse to give up. My heart really broke down.

Later, I consulted my college classmate Wang. After graduating from college, she made illustrations. She said you didn't even reach the level of half a bottle and less than one bottle. How dare you play self-study You're confused about the most basic concepts. You are not teaching yourself. You are deceiving yourself. Then Wang put me in a large learning resource (skirt) with original pictures and illustrations, in which all kinds of video tutorials are systematic, and teachers share relevant knowledge every day, so I listen to them every day, not to mention really studying illustrations, and my inner doubts are swept away.

Many friends have been asking me how to find a large-scale learning resource (skirt) for original painting illustrations. Let me share it with you. The first set of numbers is: 239, the second set is: 869, and the last set is: 377. Personally, I think I can have a good learning foundation to accompany me on the road of learning.

Four _ I can copy the process of learning illustration, believe in myself and expect the future.

(1) If a worker wants to do a good job, he must first sharpen his tools.

My usual tools include a computer, PS software and wacom hand-drawn board. My computer is a macbookpro 15 inch notebook. At present, all my illustrations are drawn by PS, which is the most comprehensive software compared with SAI, AI and SKETCH. Hand-drawn board needs some feel, many friends say it is not very good, just practice it a few times. Maybe it's because I just don't have a hand-drawn foundation. The first time I used the hand-drawn board, I felt very good. I thought a few strokes on the board could be presented by PS. It's so interesting. I fell in love with the hand-drawn board, so I didn't transition from paper to hand-drawn board when I came into contact with illustrations, but started to use hand-drawn board directly, and repeatedly checked the missing parts according to the problems I encountered.

(2) Copy-if you can't copy it, copy it first.

Because there is no art foundation, hand-drawing is the most difficult for me. At first, I really couldn't draw it I found some beautiful illustrations from the Internet and selected some simple pictures, such as some plants, a small animal and a villain.

(3) semi-copying-imitation is boring, and imitation requires skill.

I copied about three or four. In fact, I have mastered several expressions of board drawing, and I will find that compared with the original, the copied ones are still good. Next, I found it useless to just plagiarize, because even the best plagiarism is the result of others. You are just imitating, and all you can learn is the expression of the original, that is, some software technologies. If you really want to draw by yourself, there is no idea in your mind and you don't know how to write in your hands.

At this time, I began to try semi-copying, that is, adding some of my own ideas on the basis of the original work, which is equivalent to adding some of my own hand-painted ideas to the mastered techniques. By collecting materials (first drawing a draft on paper, then taking photos with my mobile phone and sending it to PS for painting), or changing the composition of the original picture, I replaced or modified what I thought was useful into the original picture. In short, it is to modify the original works according to your own ideas. These are all works of that stage. It is difficult for me to do this step well without an art foundation. At that time, I thought it was difficult to draw anything, so I practiced in my notebook, but I still felt that the progress was too slow behind closed doors.

From the learning foundation mentioned by Wang, I found a set of sketch courses to make up for the artistic skills that everyone has always mentioned. At first, I couldn't draw straight lines, so I began to practice drawing straight lines, shaping geometric figures, tuning, shaping the relationship between light and shade, and so on. By learning sketch, I began to have a systematic understanding of the expression and modeling of light and shadow.

Learn sketch-geometry, still life, landscape, human structure and sketch. I will apply what I have learned to my board painting as much as possible, and gradually feel less laborious and hand-drawn will be better.

(4) originality-learn from others and form your own.

The next step is originality. In fact, originality is not completely conceived out of thin air and then drawn, but based on many materials. My method is to collect pictures and photos of what I want to draw online, find out what I like, and then collect the elements involved in the picture in my mind from different fields and combine them into a picture according to my own ideas. This confirms a sentence: innovation is a new combination of old elements.

In addition, at this stage, I also began to learn more board painting techniques. I often ask teachers in the learning base for many video tutorials, and then draw with them, because illustrations have many styles, such as realism, plane, texture and so on. For me, I like the plain and fresh style, so I will analyze how these illustrations are represented, what brushes are used, how the graininess is made, what materials are superimposed, and why the colors are beautiful. Then I began to summarize these techniques and become my own things, but I can't copy them, but use them invisibly to form my own style.

Five _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Learning needs a process and hardship. Don't always think about getting there in one step. This is unrealistic. We should be down-to-earth, pay attention to ways and means, show wisdom in our efforts, and make efforts in wisdom.

(1) About software

There was an episode in the study of PS software, because I studied illustration before, and of course I didn't know what a hand-drawn board was at that time. At that time, I studied photography. Because I like photography better, photography will inevitably be done later, so I began to learn PS retouching or making posters. Well, the episode is over and the real dry goods are here.

I learned PS by reading a book called PS Non-trace. This book is very thick. I just resigned in June last year,165438+1October. I watched it for almost a month, but I really studied very carefully at that time. After graduation, I seldom read reference books so hard, and I also made various marks. I admire myself now. After reading this book, I really felt that I was proficient in PS, haha. In fact, if you just paint, you don't need to master it. What you use is nothing more than those tools.

(2) About the website

The websites I use the most every day are Station Cool and Petals, which have many excellent works that can be used to copy and practice. There are also some design competitions on the China of Station Cool and UI. Interested parties can take part in it. I have participated in poster design competitions and some pattern design competitions, which are all good experiences, mainly because I can learn what ideas and expressions other excellent designers will use under the same topic.

It is also helpful to make good use of petal net. Usually, you can collect all your favorite illustrations or materials into the petal net, and you can go directly to see them when you use them, like a fortune of your own. I also have a special collection of my inspiration library, which is full of some creative materials I have browsed, and basically there will be a point that I can hardly think of. Then, when I am not inspired, I will go through it and often get something.

(3) About books

I used to work in a state-owned enterprise. State-owned enterprises really feel like frogs boiled in warm water. Now think about that time, either going to work or doing nothing after work. On weekends, I think about how to relax, where to go shopping, Taobao and buy all kinds of clothes. The wardrobe is full, but I still have no clothes to wear when the season changes. ......

I have changed a lot since I resigned last year. What buy buy bought was not clothes, but various books, such as design, illustration, photography, learning methods, copywriting, operation, quality of life and so on. Personally, I think it's very helpful to learn some books that the teacher showed me in the resource library.

Principles of color matching design

Practical sketch course

Elaboration of illustration design skills in illustration classroom.

How to be an illustrator

84 creative skills of illustrators.

(4) About creation

Creation is actually an effective presentation after a lot of accumulation. I think the accumulation here is to watch more, practice more and record more.

Look at more optimistic works that stimulate the desire to create.

To practice more is to practice more hand-drawing skills and improve the creative speed.

Remember more is to remember more instant inspiration and increase creativity.

I summarized all the above by myself, I don't know if it's right, but I suddenly found that my summary is quite good, at least very neat, like serious nonsense, haha.

If you watch too much, don't say it. It has written in detail where to go. If you practice more, you won't say it. Just practicing. I am not afraid of too much. I'm also practicing.

Remember that I have to say a few words, because I found that many inspirations are instantaneous. I don't know if you feel this way. For example, when I was cooking, I suddenly thought of drawing a picture, and then I thought, I must write this idea down when I was cooking, but when I was cooking, I suddenly asked myself that I would write it down, so no matter what I was doing or going out, I usually put it in my bag. Of course, if you have a special function that you can't forget, you can ignore this.

These are some of my main learning methods, I hope I can help you. Remember, watch more, practice more and record more!

The hottest fashion illustrator of our time! How is it made? He is the hottest illustrator.

It is also the best spokesperson for fashion.

David Downton, David Downton,

1959 was born in London.

Growing up,

The best hospitality for him is a blank sheet of paper.

however

What David didn't expect was that,

After a long time, he can make a living by painting.

▲ david downton was painting when he was young.

▲ The studio is your own painting, no less than Picasso's studio.

▲ You can create amazing works on an "interesting and knowledgeable" workbench.

David first studied graphic design,

His first work was in the early 1980s.

The cover of a computer magazine.

▲ david downton's 1998 fashion illustration in new york. Made of ink and cellulose acetate paper.

▲ david downton's 1998 fashion illustration for Christine Lacroix is made of ink box paper.

For 15 years,

David is a freelance illustrator.

No matter what happens,

He likes the life of a freelance illustrator.

▲ 1999 illustration of fashion designed by david downton for jean paul gaultier of jean paul. Black dress with black sunglasses is more brilliant. David takes Kate Moss as the prototype and shows the classic charm of fashion with popular style. This work is quite famous in the fashion world, and it is one of the most representative works in the field of fashion illustration in recent years.

▲ 1999 fashion illustration shot by david downton for Valentino. Similar to Lacroix, Eric and others, his colors are full of modernity.

▲ david downton 1999 London fashion illustration PalomaPicasso. Is made of gouache, ink box paper and cellulose acetate paper.

▲ david downton 1999 completed paper-cut bottle stickers in London, with Iman as the model. Pan Tong paper is coated with cellulose acetate paper and then coated with ink.

David's works have simple and smooth lines.

Very textured and unpretentious.

It can well show the graceful posture of the human body.

Because of this unique painting style,

He was invited to do fashion illustration.

Among them, it includes

Carmen Dell'Orefice, an 85-year-old myth,

She is also one of David's muses.

▲ david downton's fashion illustration in new york in 2000 was modeled by Carmen Dale Orpheus and designed by ThierryMugler. This painting was first painted on Pan Tong paper with an oil pastel, covered with cellulose acetate paper, and then painted with ink.

▲ david downton 200 1 Portrait of Anna Peggy, editor-in-chief of a famous European fashion magazine. He successfully captured the soul of this "fashion godmother". Exaggerated color matching, playful expression, unruly attitude, combined with seemingly wild but very skillful brushwork ~ perfect!

▲ david downton painted a portrait of Amanda Harriet, the design director of Chanel in 2002.

He has always been interested in Lacroix, Antonio,

Eric, these artists worship you.

Therefore,

There are similarities between colors and lines in early painting styles.

He illustrated high fashion exhibitions for magazines.

From 65438 to 0997, he began to be active in high fashion shows in Paris.

At first, he was dazzled and completely unprepared.

But,

The Paris fashion show is really,

Inspire artists.

Paris has the most beautiful women and the best designs.

Everything here is fascinating.

When the model walks the catwalk,

David never paints.

Because he found it impossible,

He just takes pictures or looks at his watch.

Really feel every moving moment.

He seized any other opportunity to paint,

The model can't escape his eyes at any moment when he is still.

For example, during assembly,

Sometimes even when the model is resting at the press conference. ...

▲ Cosmetics are also his tools. It is the lingering between pens, and both colors are suitable.

David said: "When I first started painting, I thought it was my responsibility to restore clothes according to the catwalk on the stage." However, the first time I attended a fashion show was at Versace's show. Before Kate Moss disappeared, I only drew her arm! Therefore, it is the best choice to appreciate any details displayed by the current model. "

▲ The draft is also moving.

David thinks the most important thing is the feeling of the body under the clothes.

Then there are some details such as proportion and color.

However, this is more difficult to do.

▲ The draft is also moving.

David drew countless sketches of the design.

Then choose the best,

When the painting was almost finished, he began to be eliminated.

"decompose-reconstruct" them.

He continued to draw,

Until they look natural.

He is a world-famous media.

Such as The Times and The Independent,

And Harper Benjamin (Australian Edition).

Write a report about fashion.

And held three solo exhibitions in London.

He also held a solo exhibition in new york.

In recent years,

He also designs visual images for shopping centers in Hong Kong.

Draw illustrations for Vogue women's fashion series.

▲ In 2004, david downton painted the cover of Saturday Evening Post. This work was created in Paris and made of gouache, watercolor and paper.

▲ Advertising poster designed by david downton for Topshop's fashion show in September 2004. This brand is the work of young designers.

▲ david downton was commissioned by Vogue (China Edition) in 2005 as an illustrator of ValentionFitting. Is made of ink, gouache, paper and cellulose acetate paper.

▲ david downton's fashion illustration for YSL in 2006. The materials are ink, watercolor and paper.

▲ david downton's fashion illustration for YSL in 2006 consists of ink, gouache, charcoal pen and paper.

▲ david downton is a fashion illustration commissioned by Madame magazine (German edition) in 2007. This painting is first painted on paper with an oil pastel, covered with cellulose acetate paper, and then painted with ink and gouache.

▲ david downton's illustrations were commissioned by The Times of London in 2007. The materials are ink, gouache and paper.

▲ david downton drew an illustration for his magazine PourquoiPas in 2008. The model is Tita Wantis, and the costume is designed by Lacroix. The materials are ink, gouache and paper, and the cellulose acetate paper is covered with a film.

Does David paint sexy dancers vividly ~

Work hard, the iron pestle grinds into a needle ~

If you want to have the ability to surpass others,

I will be able to practice to the extreme!

How to be an illustrator? 1, understand the basic skills of illustration. Structure refers to the anatomical structure of the painted things, and the illustrator must understand the internal structure of animals or objects. Muscles, bones, skin, hair, trunk, roots, branches and leaves are all components of the structure.

Secondly, you should be familiar with the software you want to use. You can find many tutorials about this software on the Internet. You can draw shapes by using grids, or break each object into simpler shapes, such as squares or triangles, in order to get a way to simplify sketches.

3, imitation, you can first find some simple illustrations to copy, to achieve your own satisfactory results, you can find some relatively difficult illustrations you like to practice.

4. Read more illustrations at ordinary times, learn more painting skills from others and exercise yourself.

Next, you can find some jobs about illustration, not for salary, but for learning and growing at work.

Extended data:

As an art form, illustration has become an important visual communication form in modern design. With its intuitive image, true sense of life and beautiful appeal, it occupies a specific position in modern design and is widely used in many fields of modern design.

2. The illustrator's main job includes drawing illustrations and covers for books, magazines, newspapers, manuals, novels, textbooks and other publications, and also engaged in drawing greeting cards, posters, advertisements, inkjet and humorous paintings. Divided into electronic illustration and pure hand-drawing.

There is a great demand for game and film illustrators. Similar to the game industry, each film and television work will also have a lot of mirror drawing and scene design work, which undoubtedly has a great demand for illustrators in the game and film industry.

References:

-Illustrator