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Graham M'turfersee

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Happy New Year to one and all. I am getting a bit bored driving my life away now and with the volume of traffic on the roads it's getting quite dangerous too. I would really like to hear how people started making a living as an artist, who, where and how.? That sort of thing. I am based in Somerset and have a full time job working nights so I don't have a great deal of time free. I would really like to get into something like painting covers for the boxes that models come in.! If anyone has any ideas please look at my style of painting first, I know I have a gift to offer, I have tried several ideas already with no joy. Am I giving up to easily perhaps. I appreciate your thoughts on this. Graham http://www.painters-online.co.uk/artist/Artwithheart1972

Edited
by Artwithheart1972

Michael Robinson

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Firstly welcome to the forum, there are lots of experienced people on here who can give you advice, I'm sure they will come along and tell you their thoughts. Have you put any work in the gallery yet? If so then we will need your full name so that we can look at your paintings. I hope 2019 will prove to be a creative one for you!

Alan Bickley

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You've not given any link to your work Graham, so we can't look! There are only a few artist's on this site that paint professionally, most of us are simply amateur painters, but I do know that it's a very hard and long road to achieve success. What you seem to be referring to though is not painting, but packaging design, which comes under the umbrella of graphic design. All these concepts and designs associated with any packaging and branding are handled by design and marketing studios worldwide - NOT by individuals. They employ graphic designers who will be responsible for drawing out visuals up to completed print ready artwork (computer drawing programme knowledge such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop is essential). So, to become a designer you would first need to hold a BTEC qualification in graphic design, that's the bare minimum that will open any doors for you, an HND diploma is better. This takes three years to complete the course. I was a graphic designer so I do know what I'm talking about here, which probably makes a change! I also know that it is a very stressful industry to be involved with, constant deadlines to meet and so on, which is why I took early retirement. BUT, let's see your work!, and we can perhaps think of other avenues that you could follow.

Edited
by alanbickley

DSCF4152

Anonymous User

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Success doesn't come overnight, no matter how good you are. The art world is awash with brilliant artists. And as Alan has said, lets see what you have to offer.

neil rose

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I think I can relate to what you aspire to for painting ideas. If i weren't burdened by work commitments I too would like to be trying the kind of aviation art as seen on model box covers. One day I promise myself to buy the books by Roy Cross who worked for Airfix for many years. His paintings bring back so much childhood nostalgia. I suppose it is graphic illustration in a commercial sense but Roy was an artist to me. Just paint what you enjoy doing & ease out of the rat race soonest. Like you say, commuting is not fun these days.

Alan Bickley

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I'll continue with the thread as there is other interest which is encouraging. Large manufacturing companies will, as I said earlier, employ design agencies to handle their design and often marketing requirements under one roof. These agencies (and I have worked for them) will on occasion employ freelance artists/designers to work on certain projects, that's if it is outside the expertise of their own staff (which isn't often). So yes, it can be done in actual fact. There are many ways of approaching this to market yourself in a professional way, and if Graham returns to the thread I will go into it in more detail. This is of course a very competitive market, so your illustration portfolio will have to be up there with the best - if it is, given patience, a lot of luck and a fair wind, anything is possible. Yes Marjorie, I do recall that name but can't remember his work. Gone you say!, that's probably the end of this thread then.