How to Be an Exceptional Artist
Episode #321 | Art by Lee White
Are art skills and business savvy the only keys to illustration success? Jake Parker, Anthony Wheeler, and Lee White discuss the characteristics you need to become an exceptional illustrator (they’re not what you think!).
KEY TAKEAWAYS
When you know where you’re going, you’re guided by long-term vision, not reactive to short-term hurdles.
You’re a free agent, not a victim to life. Stop blaming your circumstances and start finding a way to bring your dreams to life.
Exceptional people give themselves permission. Don’t wait for anyone else’s.
Responsibility looks like routines. Create, share, ship, repeat.
Keeping promises and maintaining relationships are as indicative of your chances for success as your drawing and marketing skills.
SUMMARY
What sets excellent artists apart from the majority? Spoiler: drawing skills and good ideas alone won’t get you there. Outstanding artists don’t merely develop their craft; they develop themselves. The traits that help you succeed in the art world are the same traits that propel people in all fields to greatness: vision, agency, and stewardship. Let’s break these down together.
Vision is the ability to see down the road, to have long-term goals and reverse-engineer the path to achieving them. From projects to career trajectories, visionaries know where they’re going and work with the end in mind. They set their focus on a specific point, anticipate problems, and find solutions.
Agency is the confidence to make something happen. Too many people are stuck waiting for permission to follow their dreams: the publisher to sign them, the job offer, the lucky break. Free agents know that they create their own opportunities. If they don’t see the one they want, they design their own. They believe their actions can change their experience, they never blame circumstances, and they seek feedback because they know it will help them improve. They know they’re never stuck; they’re a few choices away from a new reality.
Stewardship means showing up and taking responsibility. Vision and will are not enough; you need to act in line with your goals consistently to achieve them. Good stewards turn their ideas and agency into products that get funded, published, and shipped. Good stewards hold themselves to high standards. They show up consistently in work and relationships. You can depend on them to see things through.
One or two of these traits alone are not enough. You need to be the full package if you want to achieve your goals; otherwise, you’ll only be a dreamer. If you find yourself lacking in one of these areas, don’t despair. These are characteristics, not fixed personality traits. With time and intentionality, you can train yourself to dream, work, and stay consistent to the end of your projects.
It helps to surround yourself with people who can support you in your weaker areas. For example, if you struggle with the minutiae required to be a good steward, acknowledge that it’s not your strength and consider hiring help or finding friends who can hold you accountable. You don’t need to be perfect, but you do need to build systems into your life that support successful habits.
If you need motivation, find your why. Do you have something to prove? Something to discover? Someone to serve? Why do you want to bring your idea to life? This expanded vision—beyond the project itself—will light a fire under you and keep you moving forward.
Which of these areas comes most naturally for you? Which is your weakest? Drop a comment and let us know how you plan to implement these exceptional traits in your life.