The Art of Perseverance: My Journey in Illustration

The Challenge of Learning Art

Embarking on an artistic journey is both rewarding and demanding. Mastering illustration requires consistent practice, dedication, and resilience. It's a path where progress is gradual, and success hinges on skill development and regular execution.

The Beginning of My Illustration Journey

Reflecting on my early days, I underestimated the time and effort needed to improve in illustration. As a child, I drew comic book heroes like Batman and the Ninja Turtles, but frustration with imperfect lines led me to step away from art.

Overcoming Doubt and Criticism

In the digital age, tools like Procreate have revolutionized the creative process, offering features like unlimited undos and a smoother workflow. Despite these advancements, my six-year journey faced hurdles. Critics labeled my passion as a distraction, and their skepticism often led me to pause my creative pursuits.

Balancing Passion and Life

Over time, my skills evolved from simple sketches to detailed drawings of buildings and landscapes. Balancing art with family, work, and other hobbies remains challenging. Time management is crucial, and sometimes, sacrifices are necessary to pursue one's passion.

The Reality of Artistic Growth

I once believed that creating art was a swift process. However, experience taught me that quality work demands time. For instance, sketching a simple black-and-white house on a hill can take up to eight hours. This realization aligns with industry insights:

• Concept Art: Creating concept art for characters, environments, and props can take from 1 day for simple ones to 10 days for more complex ones. 
  
  
• Children's Book Illustration: Professional illustrators often receive about six months to complete a children's picture book, encompassing the dummy book, final sketches, and final artwork.
  
  
• Graphic Design Projects: The time required varies by project type. For example, logo and branding design can take approximately 10-15 hours, while web design projects may extend over six weeks.

Understanding these timeframes has reshaped my perspective on the artistic process, emphasizing patience and dedication.

Finding Strength in the Process

Currently, I focus on black-and-white sketches, recognizing that mastering fundamental skills is essential for long-term artistic growth.

Why I Keep Going

My motivation stems from a genuine love for illustration and a desire to challenge doubts—both from others and within myself. Creating art brings joy, and if my journey inspires even one person, it has been worthwhile.

Final Thoughts

To fellow artists and enthusiasts: pursue your passions relentlessly. Challenges are part of the journey, but with perseverance, growth is inevitable. Embrace the process, learn continuously, and let your dedication pave the way to improvement.

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Thank you for reading :) and keep crafting!