Last month, I told, Dan Dos Santos, that if none of my work made it into this years, Spectrum I would print out the rejected pieces with the words “Not Good Enough” over them and pin it to my wall. I liken the look on his face and those listening to that of one watching a puppy getting punched in the face. Maybe they thought it was the booze talking but I wasn’t kidding. If the Spectrum 18 juried competition is any reflection of the barrier to entry to a SciFi and Fantasy illustration career then my current work isn’t good enough. That’s not pouting, that’s not me bitching about alleged politics and I don’t even consider it self deprecation. It’s a fact. So now what? Well now I have my benchmark. Every thumbnail sketch Every concept Every composition Every level of detail all must be better than the above or i’m just wasting my time. Sure, I know every jury is different, and there’s a toss of the dice involved but if as artist we all want to get better at what we do, doesn’t it help to have an example of how good we want to get? The above is MY example of what I want to be better than…with just a light dusting of bitterness sprinkled on top. :D

Last month, I told, Dan Dos Santos, that if none of my work made it into this years, Spectrum I would print out the rejected pieces with the words “Not Good Enough” over them and pin it to my wall.

I liken the look on his face and those listening to that of one watching a puppy getting punched in the face. Maybe they thought it was the booze talking but I wasn’t kidding.

If the Spectrum 18 juried competition is any reflection of the barrier to entry to a SciFi and Fantasy illustration career then my current work isn’t good enough.

That’s not pouting, that’s not me bitching about alleged politics and I don’t even consider it self deprecation. It’s a fact.

So now what? Well now I have my benchmark.

Every thumbnail sketch
Every concept
Every composition
Every level of detail all must be better than the above or i’m just wasting my time.

Sure, I know every jury is different, and there’s a toss of the dice involved but if as artist we all want to get better at what we do, doesn’t it help to have an example of how good we want to get?

The above is MY example of what I want to be better than…with just a light dusting of bitterness sprinkled on top. :D

1 year ago  Notes (14)
  1. vabene reblogged this from thewhiteleaf
  2. theforgottenkingdoms said: That’s a good attitude. Your work is good, but obviously coddling an artist doesn’t permit for growth. Kick your own ass. I love this post because it’s straight up. Much love Tristan.
  3. therealmckoy reblogged this from thewhiteleaf and added:
    feel your pain (and disdain).
  4. thewhiteleaf posted this