Art by Rebecca Green
For the first of a series of interviews, illustrator Rebecca Green joins Jake Parker and Lee White to discuss comparison, making art on the move, Patreon, social media, and much more in this engaging episode.
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SHOW LINKS
Rebecca Green: website, Patreon, newsletter, Instagram
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Illustration is a solitary profession, so be deliberate about connecting with other creators in person (shared studio spaces are great for this!).
Social media can help you launch your career, but it can also be a source of distraction and comparison. Consider taking an extended break, or unfollow everyone so you have to deliberately look people up, rather than mindlessly scrolling. Writing newsletters or a blog can be healthier, less dopamine-charged way to share your work with the world.
When starting a Patreon, consider if you’re selling a service vs. allowing Patrons to support the work you’re already doing.
When it comes to productivity, learn when you work best, set a timer, and take on work you’re excited about. In the beginning of your career, you’ll take on projects out of necessity, but it will teach you what you love and what you don’t. Eventually, you’ll be able to work more on the kinds of work that excite you most.
Be deliberate and authentic in every part of your life! Take initiative to create the world you want to inhabit.
QUESTIONS
Speed round with Rebecca:
If you weren’t an illustrator, what job would you have?
Animal caretaker.
If you were to redo any past project, which would you choose and what would you do differently this time?
Rebecca would say no to some projects outright! If you start doing work in a specific genre like nonfiction illustration, every publisher will think of you as a nonfiction illustrator, and you might not want to go down that road.
What would be the hardest assignment for you to complete?
Crowd scenes or cars!
Griffin asks, “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the highly talented artists on social media. Some say we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others, but the art industry is highly competitive and we need to be in touch with what others are doing. It seems unrealistic to avoid comparison, so instead, how do we mitigate the damage of comparison and steer clear of negative trains of thought?”
You do need to know what other artists are doing, but you can control how many artists you’re looking at and to whom you’re comparing yourself. It’s not necessary to be jealous of work that’s amazing but isn’t what you really want to make. Get very clear with yourself about the kind of work you’d like to create. There will always be incredible artists in the world, but you can choose if you’re going to spend your life comparing yourself to them or enjoying making your own art. Curate who you follow and recognize what you’re in the game for.
LINKS
Jake Parker: mrjakeparker.com Instagram: @jakeparker Youtube: JakeParker44
Will Terry: willterry.com Instagram: @willterryart Youtube: WillTerryArt
Lee White: leewhiteillustration.com Instagram: @leewhiteillo
Daniel Tu: danieltu.co
Show notes by Lily Howell.
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