Sshhh it is a Secret!
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I’ll share you my secrets, if you share yours.
TJ Lubrano | Expats Post
Today I shall tell you a bit about what I experienced when I started asking around question regarding pricing, tools to use. It seems that openly talking about prices or the way one works is still sort of taboo.
I say sort of, because there are lots of sites packed with information on how to get started in the illustration world. To me, these individuals are the ones who decided to just share their knowledge and eventually they create a loyal fan base. People appreciate them for sharing their ‘secrets’ and knowledge.
However, when you ask more directly to an illustrator how they e.g. price paintings or what tools were used…chances are the answers are vague or not really useful. Of course I’m speaking in broad terms here, but sometimes it does feel like a lot of things are hidden in a box and not easily shared as it keeps an air of mystery and magic alive. Have to say that wandering around the Illustration World for a longer period of time, I know where to turn to if I need advice or help. This wasn’t the case when I first started blogging though.
Here I was. Started a blog and a whole world of sites packed with fun and cool illustrations emerged in front of my eyes. I wanted to know all about it (still do of course). So whenever I came across an illustrator that really interested or inspired me, I emailed. I was curious at pencils, paint, techniques and paper; so what better way to know this by just asking right? Well, I bumped into a bunch of vague answers, like ‘Oh, I use pens with waterproof ink.’, ‘I use structured paper. You can use most paper with a rougher surface’…
No brands or tips, unless I asked it more specifically. When I did this, very often I didn’t get an answer. Call me silly, but I didn’t think to use waterproof ink when I decided to use watercolors on a whim. I just drew, painted and then thought ‘Whyyyy are the lines dissolving?! Stupid black wash. Annoyance’
With the way I drew and painted back then, it wasn’t really a big issue, but I quickly figured out new way to use watercolors and then the bleeding lines became an issue. So I started to do my own research on pens and paper and just bought a few things to get started. It wasn’t until I started to share my own thoughts of brands that I got more comments from others on what they used.
So is it just a case of sharing your knowledge first, before others are willing to share theirs?
Personally, I just share my techniques and most of the things I know. The fact that you know how I draw and paint doesn’t mean you will copy exactly what I do. Every artist injects their own feelings in their work, their own uniqueness. This doesn’t have to stay with drawing of course. It can be easily applied to writing, cooking, baking and so on.
I believe I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again *coughs*…You take whatever techniques you find interesting, study it and make it your own. Knowledge makes it easier as you know what steps to take, but taking these steps doesn’t mean you will get instant success or that you will like the results. It’s a trial and error game and it involves a lot of research. In the end, you just have to take small risks, experiment and see what works best for you.
For more TJ Art and Ramblings, please visit A Look in a Creative Mind.
Sshhh it is a Secret!,
Tahira Lubrano, also known as TJ, was a Master Sociology student, but now she is chasing her dreams as an artist. You can find ramblings and observations surrounded by her own illustrations at her blog A Look in a Creative Mind. Everything is magical there and you are most welcome to float along and wander around her imaginative world. View My Profile
Tags: art secrets, art techniques, TJ Lubrano, venetian mask, watercolors
T J,
Behind the beauty of you illustrations, stands the beauty of your spirit!
You are a truly creative force in the world. If you never drew another image, your legacy would be “I just share my techniques and most of the things I know.”
You share and there is no just about it. In addition to talent, you have the courage and generosity of a Grand Master.
You are a warrior for a more beautiful world, and I am honored to call you my friend.
Larry
Larry, Larry, Larry…thank you SO much for your wonderful words! A Grand Master? Goodness. I’m humbled by this.
Just so you know, I am honored to call you my friend as well! *bows*
Sweet TJ, your generosity of spirit is contagious. It would be lovely if everyone exuded this same spirit, but that is not always the case. You searched your soul and found your own artistic spirit. The necessary tools helped, but I have no doubt you would have found them through your tenacity. The beauty of networking is finding people, as you have, who are willing to share the in’s and out’s. One day, if it has not already happened, you will be a mentor to someone and will continue to “pay it forward.” A very good friend of mine taught me that years ago.
Sweeeeeet Cher! It would be easier if everyone had the same spirit, but maybe the creative adventure would be less fun? I don’t know haha. All I know is that doing things on my own (well most of it) really did help me finding my own artistic spirit.
“One day, if it has not already happened, you will be a mentor to someone and will continue to “pay it forward.” ” -- Now that would be SO cool
As always, Grazie Mille xoxo <3
TJ, first off I love that picture. The art world is a funny place, and pricing is one of the most difficult things to do. I was in that space when I was trying to sell my pottery. I guess I can understand people being reluctant about techniques, I guess they don’t want others duplicating their styles when in reality it’s almost impossible to really duplicate someone’s else’s style.
Writing is funny, I don’t think anyone worries about someone duplicating their writing style, just that they may copy and paste their work and call it their own.
Hey Dan and thank you! I love Venetian Masks
Pricing is definitely difficult and even though one has guidelines, not one art project is the same and there are many factors to be taken into consideration. Ah the copy/pasting in writing…now I have flashbacks at writing essays. NOT that I copied/paste, but we always got the warning not to copy paste haha.
I have worked for two types of bosses: those who share the bigger picture, and those who only give you enough information to do your job. My feeling is that those who “don’t care to share” are insecure about their work. I think the same could be said for those who didn’t want to answer your questions directly. These people obviously don’t believe in the power of their art—they put too much emphasis on the tools, pricing, and other secrets of the trade.
Your art speaks for itself, and you seem proud of your work. It doesn’t surprise me that you would want to share information about how it is created. You don’t feel like it’s a competition because NOBODY will ever be able to create the things you do. Good for you! You’re going to be a real source of inspiration and assistance for those just starting out.
“My feeling is that those who “don’t care to share” are insecure about their work.” -- Ah I never looked at it like that before, but it makes perfect sense! If you don’t have a stable base for yourself, how can you provide this for others right?
I am proud of my work, but mostly I am happy to share it will all you guys and get a peek in all of your brainssss hehe
Plus, you’re right. I don’t think about competition, not in terms of re-creating my drawing style anyway. There is more competition in terms of who get a spot with a certain agency or who can land a project with a company. But most important thing is that you gotta keep creating, that’s how you get noticed and how the power of your art can grow amongst people.
Thank you so much <3
Why do you think they don’t share? Maybe it’s a case of they don’t want others to know their secrets for fear of imitation. Pricing annoys me, especially the ones who ask for your rates (and then decide that your reasonable rates are too high, so be it, let them be stuck with a website full of spelling errors and badly written content because they have decided to pay as low as they can) or the ones who will advertise jobs and not put how much they are willing to pay; I usually know that if they do not put down their rates of pay then usually the pay will not be worth considering.
Then again, to others, this sort of information you are talking about is a valuable commodity and worth paying for, ie in courses at universities etc. Maybe some of them think they are guarding the secrets of the universe…or their universe.
Back then, being the curious noob I was without any knowledge, I only wondered why they wouldn’t chat about it. I wanted to share all I knew even though it was barely nothing. However having chatted with lots of others over the past months, it’s definitely a fear of copycats and insecurity. The insecurity element only popped in mind when Jen mentioned it. I recall lots of sentences from artists starting with ‘Well, I’m not sure if I’m on the right track with this, but…’ etc.
Because what if the knowledge you think you have is wrong in other people’s eyes? It shouldn’t matter of course, but it makes sense to me as I can also be insecure about what I know. But knowing this, still hasn’t changed me in how I view my art or how I want to be as an artist. I guess this creates several types of creatives. Creatives that really just work for themselves with an air of mystery around them and creatives that eventually also want to help others out.
..and what the hell is a noob?
Hahahaha I read boob and sat like this o_o thinking “Did I write boob instead of noob???”
Noob, Brows, nooooob. Someone who doesn’t know a thing about a certain subject or in my case business illustration knowledge. I am laughing too much here now.
Like a newbie…wait, i’ve just looked up urban dictionary, which states “Noobs are usually annoying and excessively stupid. Do not confuse noobs with newbs, who are inexperienced players that tend to be more mature and strive to become better.”….okkkkk
Haha! I always forget about the Urban Dictionary of HORROR. Sheesh. So not what I think of when I hear the word noob though. I need to think of my own new word.
this is really interesting as a fellow illustrator to read TJ, I asked the same question just a couple of days in my group about how people priced their work and all I can say was that the answers were mainly mumbo jumbo! I have the same attitude as you, I am happy to share whatever small insight or knowledge I have -- I wonder if sometimes people are embarrassed rather than protective though, like they think if they share their techniques it will show them up as some kind of fraud or cheat? Some definitely have that competitive edge and think they must protect their “secrets” but I think there is much more to be gained (for all!) if you are open and generous
Hii Sam! So happy you found this interesting as well. I saw the thread today and thought “Ohh how funny, I just published an article about this” haha. I didn’t want to throw the column in the group as I think the people rather look at illustrations over there. No offense!
High Five though!! I do think that by sharing and being open in what you do, you create a sense of transparency and understanding amongst everyone. Clients & other artists. Hmm an embarrassed element…you know, it would fit with the pondering I had in Garry’s reply. Like what if you find out that the knowledge isn’t correct in other people’s eyes. Especially if you just started out, people are easily influenced by artists that are ‘more popular’. Ah I find this fascinating and I could go on and on so…I’ll stop rambling now haha.
Thanks so much Sam Xx