I'm entering my 20s in some months, didn't finish college yet and I already got a job as a concept artist in a small indie studio. All thanks to Trent's videos
@@kaponautas hopefully, I did draw almost every day when I was in my tweens till now. Bit I feel that lag because I haven't snagged any industry or indie jobs yet 😞
@@Niko_3D thats amazing. I feel so behind in life its crazy I guess I should see it that way. Maybe because I am sick all the time, but I think I should think about it differently now
I’ll be honest man I started drawing late in life one could say I’ve always had a “talent” for being able to doodle but to actually sit down and learn ins and out of what you and a lot of other guys out here was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. I managed fill 5 sketchbooks in a years time quarantine helped with just being able to doodle since I got laid off. I didn’t know how serious I was until I ended up selling my motorcycle to buy a beginner tablet to learn the basics. Then I stumbled across you. I’m gonna be 26 this year and I’ve just had this fire underneath me to do comics that’s what I wanna do. A lot of guys are better than me even kids are but that just pushes me me further I know it’s a uphill battle. But I have bought some of your tutorials and tried my damndest to learn what I need to know. Every single day I’m at it learning even on the bad days when I can’t draw I’m trying. I don’t know for sure where I’ll be In The next 5 years but hope it’s making kick ass comics cause with all the struggles that come with art it’s so fun to sit down and turn nothing into something
Another Trent goodness 🔥🔥 I'll be turning 19 in october..Taking my University entrance exam in two months.. My art career has been a blast especially with comic books ( i am a line artist working with local publishers and the American indie comics market).. Also just started doing Album art and man has it been a ride.. Thanks for your advice bro.. Greetings from Nigeria 🇳🇬
I am a person (in my 20s) that lacks discipline in learning and for me set deadlines by external people that aren't my parents have to be there for me to funtion thus a sort of school is nearly necessary for me. In this sense art school really helps me progress. I always found and find drawing and modelling fun but there are so many ways to spend time that without deadlines I'd ever find time to work on my art.
Try setting yearly and monthly goals for yourself. Self discipline isn’t easy for anyone. I know you can do it though if you really set your mind to it! 👍🏻
Good luck with that! ✨ I'm in the same situation, and certainly what Gabriella says is helping me: I did a "new year's resolutions" list (I'm still ashamed of writing this lol I always thought that was such a silly thing) and I check it month by month. That way I'm not just finishing art projects, but learning another good habits like weekly exercise :D
27 and not even from the US so i need to work harder. i’ve been drawing since i was 6, but was raised to think art wasn’t a viable career, so i didn’t pursue it in university unfortunately. though, i took 3d modeling and illustration for graphic novel classes when i could. still, ended up with a typical office job and feel like i want to try my hand at art again. i saw you in a reply say “most people give up, so don’t give up” and i want to thank you for that!
I always wanted to do something with art for a career, but I was kinda raised the same way, with my parents talking about starving artists and such. So I ended up pursuing a different career in college that I came to realize that I didn’t like. When corona hit it really gave me time to think and I decided I needed to quit to do what I actually wanted before I went to far into that career. I figured out want to be a concept artist, but I’ve been having bouts of doubting myself and my abilities. I really do need to write down a plan of action to help me in the direction I want to go.
@@zellafae yeah, the pandemic has made me do a lot of thinking too! i’ve been looking up different fields and it’s kind of amazing how many there are. do you know what you’d like to do concept art for? there may be differences in the video game and animation industries, for example. are you interested in characters? props? environments? lots to think about! i’m also interested in concept art actually; there’s just something about creating something that is your own
@@katchii93 I've been looking into being a concept artist for video games. I really enjoy drawing characters and creatures, but I also enjoy drawing environments. Though I would be happy drawing really anything, such as props and vehicles etc, though I'm not as experienced drawing them. I'm really glad Trent started a RUclips channel and made a community of artists with similar goals to talk and discuss stuff with. That's one of things I really miss about school. And haveing assignments and a goal to work towards to keep me on track. What field for concept art are you wanting to go into?
Thanks for the advise like always, but please do a video for people in there 30’s - 40’s. Because filling out a portfolio while still providing for a family as a graphic designer can be hard to have the time and creative juice left to paint, although I still spend most of my downtime painting.
Trent! I did none of the things you said in my 20's and have all the problems you said as a result! I could never figure out a path and stick to it, so it was chosen for me. I'm 33 and still pursuing an art career, but still freaking out on trying to figure out what the f#&k to do! Is there hope?! Please make that "30s and 40s something"-video and I'll subscribe and watch your retirement streams in 30(?!) years I swear!
33 is still a good age to break into games! But you will need to really show a lot of technical skill, and useful artwork in your portfolio. I also recommend that you consider building a business around your art. Figure out what kind of art people buy, and WHY they buy it and try to emulate that. Sometimes its artwork on a kind of product. Sometimes its artwork of a certain type of content.
@@TrentKaniuga Thanks a lot for making these videos! I click a lot of them fearing to have my worst fears about my career choices confirmed, but usually find myself reassured I'm on the only path I can be. Starting a business is probably where I'm at, but is it really true that there is a shortage of modellers and animators? That's where I have my degree, before life ran away with my career and took me into anything and everything from touring with a rock band to designing mens underwear(don't ask). I've spent the past three months redoing my home office and setting up a content creating studio, I don't have a plan other than focusing on doing things I like rather than things that give me a little bit of quick cash, which is what led me astray in the first place.
I'm turning 22 next week and I feel so lucky to find this in my recommendations. Art is hard, but I really enjoy it so I'll keep going. at the very least I won't have regrets.
21 y/o here. I started drawing 3 years ago, I got good at “copying” stuff, anatomy, characters and rendering. I admire artists like you, Albert Mielgo, Dave Rapoza, Maciej Kuciara, a f*** ton of people that do very different things from each other. Atm I don’t know what career I want to pursue, I wish I could do animations, concepts, 3d, all of that freaking cool stuff. I love especially videogames, films, photography and weird animations (Mind Games, Tekkon Kinkreet, Paprika, ecc..) Thinking about choosing a job makes me anxious because I like too much stuff, I don’t know where I want to go. Well, at least I know for sure that I don’t like making comics, that’s a start.
That is still a great start! Every professional artist will tell you the first things you gotta get good at are sketching/drawing (keeping in mind your fundamentals) and building up your visual library. Whichever art career you choose, these skills will be useful.
I'm 19 and turning 20 next month, i study art seriously since i was 11 in 2012 and it was a bit demotivating to see my friends growing so much with their art in just 2 to 4 years, while for me just now this year things are clicking and starting to work, but I'm growing fast and feeling great, this video came in a really good time, i follow your work and advices since way back then and i love your content, thank you very much!
I was LITERALLY in the middle of a conversation about being lost with what I want to do with my life or art and this video found me after being uploaded only a day. OF COURSE I subscribed.
Just graduated from art school last year with a degree in animation and illustration and this is some advice I really appreciate. I know I want to work to make my own animations and games, but I couldn't help but feel a little aimless with what my game plan was at times after getting my diploma. These kinds of videos definitely help to focus myself in trying to get to that next step, so thanks!
I want to work in concept art, props design, character design, background design. Art school been more than a guide. I didin’t knew anything about art, they teach me anything to begin and to keep growing. Now I know what I need to do, what studies but before art school I didin’t even understand what blending was.
This has been really helpful, I am a 23 year old finishing digital art college for video game design in about 3 months, I am really anxious that I won't be able to break into the industry for concept art in video games or that I am not simply good enough.
Im in the EXACT same situation. I found out my university SAE is total scam but i learned 99 percent myself and trying to reach artstation sculpting and modelling asap. Im almost there just gonna finish the portfolio pieces and some sick ass renders and hope I will find a job somehow. People my age are so scared man also artstation is intimidating as fuck but once you reach that trending page skill level I hope it is possible to even land a small job in the industry. My skill right now is around the same level as artstation sculptors. Obviously a bitlower since I started 1,5 years ago but its pretty good stuff
@@user-vl8ck4gz6w my college was a total scam too, they promised internships and then in the end gave us internships for web design only, while many other departments didn't have anything in their field, including visual game design where I am at now.
Thanks for this. I'm 33 and life got in the way. I am tired of working for others and this video REALLY resonated with me today. (I am actually getting my portfolios done. and some graphic novels ready.) but I needed to hear this. I'm sure others did too. I just wish I subbed to you sooner. Being a legally blind illustrator/ graphic designer I already had hurdles to get over- but you- and a life event- lit a fire under my butt. :D
I graduate my Video Game Art college program in two weeks. In one week I meet with recruiters for a local gaming studio and It feels promising as I’m more of a generalist. Thank you for guiding me through my two years of study, Mr. Kaniuga! This video is exactly what I needed dude! Ps. Congrats on the development of your second game !!
I'm 25 and I just got back to art again last year due to pandemic and covid. I took a vocational course in college of animation for 2 yrs and graduated after that I took another few course and workshops in some small indie animation company and was intern there. I really really like doing art even back then I had a passion and really wanted to enhance my drawing skills just to become a mangaka or a Manga artist but I stopped doing art for like 3 yrs because of League of Legends that I got addicted and kept playing this game it took my whole a lot of hours and my passion towards creativity literally went gone. I'm happy that I found my love and passion for doing art again and I really want to enhance my drawing skills and made a vow to myself to put time and effort to doing art everyday.
Hey Trent, Its been a while since Ive watched your video but thanks to your videos and insights which greatly helped me out a lot in my time in the Game Dev school, I am a real time VFX artist in a game studio now! What you've said previously about "increasing your value as an artist" has stuck with me for at least 2 years. Its what keeps me workin hard and learning too! Just really wanted to thank you and keep making these videos! It helps build confidence and inspires artists and upcoming game artists (and game developers) too!
I'm no longer in my early 20's but have decided to seriously pick up art. This was an interesting video. I can't see myself ever working in a game studio or selling merchandise with my art on it or anything like that. But it's still interesting seeing what people in the industry have to say.
we dont have any of this in the country i live in, no game industry, no art jobs hiring... in my 20s there wasnt even a comic con here... that is the only thing that keeps me going as a 30+yo... i may missed a couple of years of practice, but i didnt missed much here...
Games are international now. Art and comics... its all international now. You can make games, make art, make comics and sell it to Americans, Europeans... everywhere! If your currency is less expensive, you can make a LOT of money from those big spenders in other countries if you make compelling product around your art. It's an advantage!
Thanks Trent. Awesome as always. Got a whole load goin on right now but im workin on my art whenever I get a chance. Ill have another listen to this again later. Fell asleep workin on this months boss challenge a few times now and always learnin from the community. Tryna notice the art in everything. Found a lot of old school 1900s era photographs are great for composition etc. Been spacin out mid conversation and thinkin about textures, colours and all sortsa art stuff. People be like you hearin me and I be like huh? What? I was in art mode 😂 - Crow
Clicked on this video for drawing tips, ended up getting some absolutely golden advice for the future. Thank you! Even if I don't end up going for art as a career, I imagine the concepts in this video will transfer over to a variety of subjects.
haha! That ending gave me goosebumps :) Even if you were Half serious half joking it still really got thru. Goose bump is such a cool indicator. I feel like I always get it from things that unfolds in the moment and that has a lot of heart. Take care !
I like the points you hit. I decided to do home projects and work with guys on common ideas to come to life. I was always anxious at finding even art-related jobs because everything is going by trends, ideology, political, and just being in the field with these things just make it uncomfortable. Even if it's with people I agree with, I just want to make art and entertainment with good intention and good messaging like how they were in the old days. Keep all that stuff causing stress amongst society out. Like for example the return of Young Justice, I was ecstatic for its return. But some episodes made me cringe when they were obviously political. Again, whether I support it or not, that could have just been left out. I don't want any part of that in the art industry. So yeah if I gotta start from scratch, from the ground up a new group industry, I'll take it.
I'm going to be turning 23 soon, and this video was like a hit of reality. I need to get my shit together and make a portfolio. And your right, I have no idea what or where I want to work, all I know is I just want to make art. I need to make a list... God, it feels like I'm running out of time 😞
23 year old here! Started doing digital art for the first time 8-9 months ago and are now having a blast doing it. I have gotten my art out there on social media and have now a couple of hundred followers on my Instagram and have tried to build connections with other artists. Next goal will be getting my first commision, which hopefully will be soon. Wish me luck!
The pressure in succeding early really can fuck with our heads. Trent talks about stuff people in their 20s need to know and i feel like i am to late with 23 like What tha heck.
@@TrentKaniuga It wasn't like doubt or anything - more like reallising "i shouldn't feel that way". On the way right now, i startet in a Indie Studio this month and will Study Art this year if anything goes my way :D
Hey Trent, thanks for another great video! I am 31 and looking to start my own business as you discussed in the second half of the video. Would love to hear your advice on both starting an art-based business (even it if it takes a "two hour podcast") or about pursuing art in your 30's. Thanks again! And gnarly character design!
Every time I draw on my projects, I always listen to your Videos,. I hope that someday I'll meet you in person so that I could personally say Thank you!.
Hey Trent could you make a video about building your own curriculum to become a self-taught comic book creator? What to learn and which is the best order to be the most efficient? I have brought your course about the making of the comic but I'm wondering how to work on my art skills to be able to draw a comic that does not sucks. Thank you so much for all your videos they are super helpful!
These may be targeted at 20s but this stuff still helps amazingly, I have so many of your videos playing while I work on my art. As an almost 40 year old, in people years anyways, this helps sooo much.
Just browsing the comments, it seems there's a whole lot of people like me who got into art late in life, coming from different career paths. I've been a software dev for 20+ years and am dreaming of finding some sort of synthesis of that with making art. At age 50, most likely means having my own business. Games sound obvious, but my heart beats for animation. Would welcome a video on changing your life mid-career :)
I don't know much about animation. But I DEFINITELY think that you should go that route if your heart is in it! You could probably start out by directing your own animatics and posting them on youtube. Or just dig right into animating small polished scenes.
@@TrentKaniuga Hey, thanks for the encouragement! I‘ll have to throw myself into it and see how it goes. At least I know I can write my own tools, when needed :)
personally I saw art as just a hobby never a full time gig but now after watching this I really think about it as Potential money maker judging by how many people are going into the art industry its quite lucrative THAKYOU MAN really this changed my way of thinking and perspective on my style of art
These kinds of videos are difficult for me to look at, but they're an important reminder. It's necessary to realize that there's a professional standard for art. I didn't realize that soon enough, and now I'm struggling to accept it. Looking at professional standards still makes me feel disgusted with myself for even trying with such a lack of resolve, thinking of it as anything other than a profession. Because that's what an artist actually is - someone who creates art for a living. Nothing less. I really wish I realized that sooner. If I hadn't thought of myself as an artist growing up, I wouldn't be going through this dissonance over accepting that I'm not an artist. The only people who are are the people who are determined to make that their life, and we all should realize that as soon as possible. Before you try something, know for sure that it's something you want to do, and that it's something you're guaranteed to succeed at. Know what you're getting yourself into. Understand your passion before you follow it.
11:57 oh an art industry podcast would be SO cool! this was awesome information, and i listen to your videos while practicing my fundamentals, but if there was a longform podcast kinda like the FlippedNormals discussions... oh ya. that would be amazing
Oh man Trent, I wish I listened to you when I was still in high school lmao... Im turning 20 this year and I've finished my 3D game art diplomas, and am currently finishing up a year of grad diploma of management only because I got CTS right at the end of my art course - unfortunately, still have it and the bugger adapts to everything! Not something someone my age should have lol. I'm actually in a bit of a pickle because I don't know what part of the art field to pursue - I know I want to do art but just dunno what to pick lol. I either want to become a 3D generalist, rigger and Python tool scripter, illustrator or character artist... and that's a lot of options! At the start of my 3D game art diploma I decided I wanted to work in games and work as a 3D generalist, keeping illustration as a hobby, but idk anymore ever since CTS hit. I don't really have the passion to do any specific field (maybe other than rigging but they're not exactly high in demand last time I checked...), just something in the art field. What would be your advice for someone who's half indecisive like me? xD In the end since this management course also requires us to develop a game by the side in a group (or not) of our choosing and market it, maybe this question will answer itself but yeah lol.
Very helpful advice. I'm 21 so I felt special watching this. 🤗 In my case, I'm currently working on growing my art channel. My goal is to do RUclips full time in the future. Never thought I'd love making videos so much. Thank you for being so generous with your insight and wisdom. ♥️
This gave me such a good chuckle! I gotta admit: starting your own business is probably the same amount of work as going to work for a company. It's just different kinds of work. As a business owner, you're wearing many hats in order to make a way for yourself. Working for others, you're wearing many hats in order to make a way for THEM to succeed. So, you just gotta ask yourself: Do I want JUST the money or do I want the money AND the glory? =\
I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!! I watch them whenever I have a suggestion either below the video I was currently watching, or if it pops up on my RUclips channel. Or if I'm in the mood, or having a decent "mental day," and are able to concentrate and focus in the present, and want to learn more about the professional art industry/business. They're so helpful!!! It's always a great thing to me, and very generous thing, to when professional and a well known artist provides free content of when/how they got there, and what skills you need in order to get to the very top, or what you need when your just starting out. It's interesting you mention making a list of skills you need to work on from the fundamentals master list. I started this list at the end of March, and I have a few written down, but I haven't finished it yet. For one obvious reason, there's always a need and a will to learn more, but also, I wanted to start drawing some more original work before I wrote any more down. I've heard over & over, even if I've finished a bunch of other artists' RUclips tutorials, yes while I improved a bunched and have some finished work, what I've learned is this is their work, and you shouldn't post it or have it in your stack of portfolio work, and most jobs and employers who hire others, like you said, will skip past it. I've also been getting into more of watching a variety of artists review other artists' portfolios. What helps me know, and gives me a peace of mine, is knowing that they've gone to school, either the 4 years or the 6 years, and sometimes they link they're professional portfolio down in their "about" page on yt. Seeing this helps me know their very legit, and have done the work and have gotten jobs too. So those def help me as well. I'm always looking for free content when it comes to learning art, since there is so much to learn, even if you've taken classes in school. My indecisive brain constantly doesn't know where to start learning. I know the basic fundamentals from a couple of high school classes I took. The career center I went to, didn't have an art focused career lab. They had digital media "general content and learning," but it wasn't fine art/digital art stuff or 3D art specific, which is what I was going for, especially after taking the test of the different skills and seeing what career field you fell in, I fell high in the arts field. I decided took a break from learning and just focused on drawing from my books I had previously brought, & getting into and finding more artists on RUclips to watch that post that type of content. I also ended up having my parents get me a couple of subscriptions to artist I originally found on yt, and really like. how they taught art, it was very simple and easy for me to understand, & follow. To sum it up, this is one of the more helpful channels, and all videos, out of the what has to be 200+ videos/channels I've watched over the past 3 and a half years. I know I've already said it, but I can't say it enough, HUGE thank you!!!!
Yes. I would have only ever worked for myself, OR I would have insisted on getting stock compensation (become a part owner of the company) for the years that I spent at the companies I worked for.
23, focused on concept art/design. Specifically environment and props. I want to design things that will be apart of world building. Definitely self taught, though I got some pipeline experience from a generalist animation course at a local college. Though channels like yours and FZD School has taught me the most of what I need to know about the industry, what I need to know how to do. When I get a bit more confident I would love to take part in one of your monthly concept art challenges. I started getting focused a bit later than many... much much later than you, but I can't see myself making a career without a drawing monitor and a pen stylus in my hand.
I'm 21 and started digital art (and art in general...) 5 months ago. I'm studying computer engineering at university, a different field indeed, but drawing always has its space lately. I draw mostly to give life to the characters I have in mind and my skills are lacking, but I hope to acquire them over the years and, who knows, maybe combine work with my passion for drawing. Ps: Thanks for your always invaluable advice, you are very inspiring.
I'm actually in my early thirties and trying to pivot into the gaming industry and this is still some very solid advice! I wasn't able to pursue this in my 20s due to some family issues, health complications , and financial difficulties making my day-to-day simply a matter of survival, but now that I have some stability in my life I'm trying to get into an industry I've always admired and wanted to get into. Thank you! I'm currently grinding away at getting some better character sheets and technical work ups like turnarounds on my portfolio and I'm hoping to try to get a position somewhere by the end of the year, but my current goals (besides applying to various positions) are to broaden the genres of work available in my portfolio and to get more comfortable with using 3d and Blender in my workflow.
39 expat living in Tokyo leaving it later than most to assault the art career (deeply regret just coasting the last twenty years away in a career I’ve just tried to survive at) but always feel more reassured after a Trent video, not sure how I’ll fare against hungry Japanese graduates but gotta fight for it if you want it. Also love the old intro coming back !
im 29 and still trying to establish myself, get started on a portfolio and take an animation course for a diploma. thanks for the tips on making a list Trent, I never really had a well thought out plan for everything i am trying to accomplish :D. I appreciate your videos!
I've been dragging my feet over the last week, my first bit of good new since covid started and my motivation to work disappeared from a small feeling of accomplishment. It's really helpful to get reminders on the simple things to keep working at, updating the portfolio etc, otherwise I'd be stuck wondering what to do next, while doing nothing.
Reaching my 20 next year. I want to work for square enix as one of their concept artist. But I think I'm far from it. Might just create my own business. Currently working as a freelancer for an indie developer
Honestly I love your videos, I’ve been watching a few a day the last little while. Lately I graduated game design an dev school (which I sort of regret going to) and I’ve been just practicing fundamentals like crazy… but I really need to hunker down and remake my portfolio or, better yet, define a way I can make money for my own projects, and I’m so so nervous to basically pick my life path 😂😂 establishing myself is such a nerve-wracking task especially when I’m already spending so much time every week making shit money as a line cook 💀 idk I guess this comment turned into a rant, I’m sorry, but. The point is your videos are helping me gain a better understanding of what I’m choosing between, which I really appreciate
Can’t wait for that « what beginner artists in their 40s need to know » video. Just a couple more weeks!
I know right?
Lol, I was like, hey, I am 34, I am sure I can still find a way for this video to apply to me in my 30s
hell I'm in my 40s. Changed career twice. Maybe it's time for that again. :D
I would like a similar videos but for 30+ :)
Thank you art father
I read that as fart arter for some reason
Art father, trent be thy name.
Wat are u doing here lol
@@InnermanArts o shit whaddup
Art Vader
I'm entering my 20s in some months, didn't finish college yet and I already got a job as a concept artist in a small indie studio. All thanks to Trent's videos
That is awesome!
Do u have an art account?? I wanna see your art!
Congrats bro
@@yoyoyoonbitch Sure! @_jaimemoran__ on Instagram
may i ask in what country this studio is? how was your application in the studio?
I'm 20, but I just started learning art. Maybe this video will be more helpful to me in some years
Keep going, don't stop. I feel I'm a little late to the game too.
@@AndrewMaksymBrainNectar Bro we ain't late. We are lagging, let's just keep hardworking and sooner or later we can make into the industry
@@kaponautas hopefully, I did draw almost every day when I was in my tweens till now. Bit I feel that lag because I haven't snagged any industry or indie jobs yet 😞
I’m in the same boat with ya guys, keep the grind going y’all got it, and don’t forget to enjoy it.
BRO IM IN THIS TOO, ive done some difficult things, but getting good at art is the hardest thing ive ever done lol
The best thing to do is...just to do stuff. Do studies, do projects, do whatever you want to get good at.
That moment when you're 31 but you're still listening to these tips anyways 😅
I meant for it to be for everyone:) Thanks for tuning in anyway!
@@TrentKaniuga me too Im so old. Starting very late at 30
@Justin Cruz keep it up my friend. Im 30 I feel late compared to all these highschoolers saying theyre too late
@@EckosamaGhostTsushima I'm 33, wth man I don't feel old one bit. I feel like I just started to live my life.
@@Niko_3D thats amazing. I feel so behind in life its crazy I guess I should see it that way. Maybe because I am sick all the time, but I think I should think about it differently now
I’ll be honest man I started drawing late in life one could say I’ve always had a “talent” for being able to doodle but to actually sit down and learn ins and out of what you and a lot of other guys out here was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. I managed fill 5 sketchbooks in a years time quarantine helped with just being able to doodle since I got laid off. I didn’t know how serious I was until I ended up selling my motorcycle to buy a beginner tablet to learn the basics. Then I stumbled across you. I’m gonna be 26 this year and I’ve just had this fire underneath me to do comics that’s what I wanna do. A lot of guys are better than me even kids are but that just pushes me me further I know it’s a uphill battle. But I have bought some of your tutorials and tried my damndest to learn what I need to know. Every single day I’m at it learning even on the bad days when I can’t draw I’m trying. I don’t know for sure where I’ll be In The next 5 years but hope it’s making kick ass comics cause with all the struggles that come with art it’s so fun to sit down and turn nothing into something
Please keep on going,I wish you to achieve your Dreams with Flying Colors 🥺🥺
Any updates on how life’s been treating you? I’d love to hear your story man
Another Trent goodness 🔥🔥
I'll be turning 19 in october..Taking my University entrance exam in two months.. My art career has been a blast especially with comic books ( i am a line artist working with local publishers and the American indie comics market).. Also just started doing Album art and man has it been a ride.. Thanks for your advice bro.. Greetings from Nigeria 🇳🇬
this is incredible I hope to see more from you dude. Put your art online
@@EckosamaGhostTsushima it is
Ig @pencilorc
Trent I swear you have access to my search history with the way you nail these video topics haha
I am a person (in my 20s) that lacks discipline in learning and for me set deadlines by external people that aren't my parents have to be there for me to funtion thus a sort of school is nearly necessary for me. In this sense art school really helps me progress. I always found and find drawing and modelling fun but there are so many ways to spend time that without deadlines I'd ever find time to work on my art.
Try setting yearly and monthly goals for yourself. Self discipline isn’t easy for anyone. I know you can do it though if you really set your mind to it! 👍🏻
Good luck with that! ✨ I'm in the same situation, and certainly what Gabriella says is helping me: I did a "new year's resolutions" list (I'm still ashamed of writing this lol I always thought that was such a silly thing) and I check it month by month. That way I'm not just finishing art projects, but learning another good habits like weekly exercise :D
Why I clicked? Because your art-life insights are useful, no matter the age or the art skills one might currently have :)
27 and not even from the US so i need to work harder. i’ve been drawing since i was 6, but was raised to think art wasn’t a viable career, so i didn’t pursue it in university unfortunately. though, i took 3d modeling and illustration for graphic novel classes when i could. still, ended up with a typical office job and feel like i want to try my hand at art again. i saw you in a reply say “most people give up, so don’t give up” and i want to thank you for that!
I always wanted to do something with art for a career, but I was kinda raised the same way, with my parents talking about starving artists and such. So I ended up pursuing a different career in college that I came to realize that I didn’t like. When corona hit it really gave me time to think and I decided I needed to quit to do what I actually wanted before I went to far into that career. I figured out want to be a concept artist, but I’ve been having bouts of doubting myself and my abilities. I really do need to write down a plan of action to help me in the direction I want to go.
@@zellafae yeah, the pandemic has made me do a lot of thinking too! i’ve been looking up different fields and it’s kind of amazing how many there are. do you know what you’d like to do concept art for? there may be differences in the video game and animation industries, for example. are you interested in characters? props? environments? lots to think about! i’m also interested in concept art actually; there’s just something about creating something that is your own
@@katchii93 I've been looking into being a concept artist for video games. I really enjoy drawing characters and creatures, but I also enjoy drawing environments. Though I would be happy drawing really anything, such as props and vehicles etc, though I'm not as experienced drawing them.
I'm really glad Trent started a RUclips channel and made a community of artists with similar goals to talk and discuss stuff with. That's one of things I really miss about school. And haveing assignments and a goal to work towards to keep me on track.
What field for concept art are you wanting to go into?
Thanks for the advise like always, but please do a video for people in there 30’s - 40’s. Because filling out a portfolio while still providing for a family as a graphic designer can be hard to have the time and creative juice left to paint, although I still spend most of my downtime painting.
Trent! I did none of the things you said in my 20's and have all the problems you said as a result! I could never figure out a path and stick to it, so it was chosen for me. I'm 33 and still pursuing an art career, but still freaking out on trying to figure out what the f#&k to do! Is there hope?! Please make that "30s and 40s something"-video and I'll subscribe and watch your retirement streams in 30(?!) years I swear!
33 is still a good age to break into games! But you will need to really show a lot of technical skill, and useful artwork in your portfolio. I also recommend that you consider building a business around your art. Figure out what kind of art people buy, and WHY they buy it and try to emulate that. Sometimes its artwork on a kind of product. Sometimes its artwork of a certain type of content.
@@TrentKaniuga Thanks a lot for making these videos! I click a lot of them fearing to have my worst fears about my career choices confirmed, but usually find myself reassured I'm on the only path I can be. Starting a business is probably where I'm at, but is it really true that there is a shortage of modellers and animators? That's where I have my degree, before life ran away with my career and took me into anything and everything from touring with a rock band to designing mens underwear(don't ask). I've spent the past three months redoing my home office and setting up a content creating studio, I don't have a plan other than focusing on doing things I like rather than things that give me a little bit of quick cash, which is what led me astray in the first place.
How are you now?
I'm turning 22 next week and I feel so lucky to find this in my recommendations. Art is hard, but I really enjoy it so I'll keep going. at the very least I won't have regrets.
25 here. Even though I just graduated from college, I still want to improve myself in my craft.
What every artists in their 600's should know about art. Dracula "hmm interesting"
21 y/o here.
I started drawing 3 years ago, I got good at “copying” stuff, anatomy, characters and rendering.
I admire artists like you, Albert Mielgo, Dave Rapoza, Maciej Kuciara, a f*** ton of people that do very different things from each other.
Atm I don’t know what career I want to pursue, I wish I could do animations, concepts, 3d, all of that freaking cool stuff.
I love especially videogames, films, photography and weird animations (Mind Games, Tekkon Kinkreet, Paprika, ecc..)
Thinking about choosing a job makes me anxious because I like too much stuff, I don’t know where I want to go.
Well, at least I know for sure that I don’t like making comics, that’s a start.
May God bless you man! Jesus loves you
That is still a great start! Every professional artist will tell you the first things you gotta get good at are sketching/drawing (keeping in mind your fundamentals) and building up your visual library. Whichever art career you choose, these skills will be useful.
Same boat except I’ve only just begun art. I’m heading down comic book path
I'm 19 and turning 20 next month, i study art seriously since i was 11 in 2012 and it was a bit demotivating to see my friends growing so much with their art in just 2 to 4 years, while for me just now this year things are clicking and starting to work, but I'm growing fast and feeling great, this video came in a really good time, i follow your work and advices since way back then and i love your content, thank you very much!
Lovely tips. The best thing is that they do not only work for art career.
I was LITERALLY in the middle of a conversation about being lost with what I want to do with my life or art and this video found me after being uploaded only a day. OF COURSE I subscribed.
I'm 8 years old and still watching this video!! thanks for the help!
Just graduated from art school last year with a degree in animation and illustration and this is some advice I really appreciate. I know I want to work to make my own animations and games, but I couldn't help but feel a little aimless with what my game plan was at times after getting my diploma. These kinds of videos definitely help to focus myself in trying to get to that next step, so thanks!
I want to work in concept art, props design, character design, background design.
Art school been more than a guide. I didin’t knew anything about art, they teach me anything to begin and to keep growing. Now I know what I need to do, what studies but before art school I didin’t even understand what blending was.
Thanks for this POV! I am working hard towards my goal, and i hope that one day I'll be able to thank you in person over a coffee or lunch.
This has been really helpful, I am a 23 year old finishing digital art college for video game design in about 3 months, I am really anxious that I won't be able to break into the industry for concept art in video games or that I am not simply good enough.
Im in the EXACT same situation. I found out my university SAE is total scam but i learned 99 percent myself and trying to reach artstation sculpting and modelling asap. Im almost there just gonna finish the portfolio pieces and some sick ass renders and hope I will find a job somehow. People my age are so scared man also artstation is intimidating as fuck but once you reach that trending page skill level I hope it is possible to even land a small job in the industry.
My skill right now is around the same level as artstation sculptors. Obviously a bitlower since I started 1,5 years ago but its pretty good stuff
@@user-vl8ck4gz6w my college was a total scam too, they promised internships and then in the end gave us internships for web design only, while many other departments didn't have anything in their field, including visual game design where I am at now.
oooh the Classic Intro's back baby!
You noticed! :)
Thanks for this. I'm 33 and life got in the way. I am tired of working for others and this video REALLY resonated with me today. (I am actually getting my portfolios done. and some graphic novels ready.) but I needed to hear this.
I'm sure others did too. I just wish I subbed to you sooner.
Being a legally blind illustrator/ graphic designer I already had hurdles to get over- but you- and a life event- lit a fire under my butt. :D
Thanks so much! Best of luck to you with your portfolio!
I graduate my Video Game Art college program in two weeks. In one week I meet with recruiters for a local gaming studio and It feels promising as I’m more of a generalist. Thank you for guiding me through my two years of study, Mr. Kaniuga! This video is exactly what I needed dude! Ps. Congrats on the development of your second game !!
The funky music intro is back :)
I find your background super appealing!
YOOOOOO MAN. You ROCK. Got some ass-whooping motivation from this one. Appreciate your work.
I'm 25 and I just got back to art again last year due to pandemic and covid. I took a vocational course in college of animation for 2 yrs and graduated after that I took another few course and workshops in some small indie animation company and was intern there. I really really like doing art even back then I had a passion and really wanted to enhance my drawing skills just to become a mangaka or a Manga artist but I stopped doing art for like 3 yrs because of League of Legends that I got addicted and kept playing this game it took my whole a lot of hours and my passion towards creativity literally went gone. I'm happy that I found my love and passion for doing art again and I really want to enhance my drawing skills and made a vow to myself to put time and effort to doing art everyday.
Hey Trent,
Its been a while since Ive watched your video but thanks to your videos and insights which greatly helped me out a lot in my time in the Game Dev school, I am a real time VFX artist in a game studio now! What you've said previously about "increasing your value as an artist" has stuck with me for at least 2 years. Its what keeps me workin hard and learning too! Just really wanted to thank you and keep making these videos! It helps build confidence and inspires artists and upcoming game artists (and game developers) too!
Yesterday was literally my birthday, I just turned 20. What timing.
I'm no longer in my early 20's but have decided to seriously pick up art. This was an interesting video. I can't see myself ever working in a game studio or selling merchandise with my art on it or anything like that. But it's still interesting seeing what people in the industry have to say.
we dont have any of this in the country i live in, no game industry, no art jobs hiring... in my 20s there wasnt even a comic con here... that is the only thing that keeps me going as a 30+yo... i may missed a couple of years of practice, but i didnt missed much here...
Games are international now. Art and comics... its all international now. You can make games, make art, make comics and sell it to Americans, Europeans... everywhere! If your currency is less expensive, you can make a LOT of money from those big spenders in other countries if you make compelling product around your art. It's an advantage!
Thanks Trent. Awesome as always. Got a whole load goin on right now but im workin on my art whenever I get a chance. Ill have another listen to this again later. Fell asleep workin on this months boss challenge a few times now and always learnin from the community. Tryna notice the art in everything. Found a lot of old school 1900s era photographs are great for composition etc. Been spacin out mid conversation and thinkin about textures, colours and all sortsa art stuff. People be like you hearin me and I be like huh? What? I was in art mode 😂 - Crow
"If you're not interested in that, why you clicked the video?"
"Immmm sooooorry if i just freaking love your art and your voice
Thanks for mentioning us Old Gs lol. A vid for artist who are, " better late than never!" would be cool.
this old intro music is so much better. Gives off better vibes :)
Clicked on this video for drawing tips, ended up getting some absolutely golden advice for the future. Thank you! Even if I don't end up going for art as a career, I imagine the concepts in this video will transfer over to a variety of subjects.
As an aspiring artist and 2D animator, I really appreciate the advice. It gave me more to think about. In other words, thank you!
I'm glad I came across your videos during the pandemic recently. This was a nice eye-opener, and something to keep in mind to get clear and go ham!
haha! That ending gave me goosebumps :) Even if you were Half serious half joking it still really got thru. Goose bump is such a cool indicator. I feel like I always get it from things that unfolds in the moment and that has a lot of heart. Take care !
Trent - I haven't watched your vids for a while, but this one is chock full o' fantastic advice and wisdom. I picked a good one.
I like the points you hit. I decided to do home projects and work with guys on common ideas to come to life. I was always anxious at finding even art-related jobs because everything is going by trends, ideology, political, and just being in the field with these things just make it uncomfortable. Even if it's with people I agree with, I just want to make art and entertainment with good intention and good messaging like how they were in the old days. Keep all that stuff causing stress amongst society out. Like for example the return of Young Justice, I was ecstatic for its return. But some episodes made me cringe when they were obviously political. Again, whether I support it or not, that could have just been left out. I don't want any part of that in the art industry. So yeah if I gotta start from scratch, from the ground up a new group industry, I'll take it.
I know. I hate all of the political BS in entertainment nowadays.
I'm currently trying to work on a free Halo comic series that is about the games but adding and fixing the Canon
I'm going to be turning 23 soon, and this video was like a hit of reality. I need to get my shit together and make a portfolio. And your right, I have no idea what or where I want to work, all I know is I just want to make art. I need to make a list... God, it feels like I'm running out of time 😞
It always feels like we're running out of time.
23 year old here! Started doing digital art for the first time 8-9 months ago and are now having a blast doing it. I have gotten my art out there on social media and have now a couple of hundred followers on my Instagram and have tried to build connections with other artists. Next goal will be getting my first commision, which hopefully will be soon. Wish me luck!
The pressure in succeding early really can fuck with our heads. Trent talks about stuff people in their 20s need to know and i feel like i am to late with 23 like What tha heck.
You can start anytime.
@@TrentKaniuga It wasn't like doubt or anything - more like reallising "i shouldn't feel that way". On the way right now, i startet in a Indie Studio this month and will Study Art this year if anything goes my way :D
Thanks again, Trent! Always love ringing that bell!
Thanks for this video Trent. You're like the art grandpa I never had, in a good way! ^_^
Grandpa? yeesh.
@@TrentKaniuga Hahaha I know he said "in a good way," but oof
Hey Trent, thanks for another great video! I am 31 and looking to start my own business as you discussed in the second half of the video. Would love to hear your advice on both starting an art-based business (even it if it takes a "two hour podcast") or about pursuing art in your 30's.
Thanks again! And gnarly character design!
Every time I draw on my projects, I always listen to your Videos,. I hope that someday I'll meet you in person so that I could personally say Thank you!.
The Best in the Business..!! Hands Down..!! Solid Video “As Always” Trent.!
👊😎
Hey Trent could you make a video about building your own curriculum to become a self-taught comic book creator? What to learn and which is the best order to be the most efficient?
I have brought your course about the making of the comic but I'm wondering how to work on my art skills to be able to draw a comic that does not sucks.
Thank you so much for all your videos they are super helpful!
Have you developed your fundamental skills? The Easy Art lessons teach you how to draw in perspective, and draw faces and poses etc.
Great speech! Thanks for the video!
yes! old intro is back!
These may be targeted at 20s but this stuff still helps amazingly, I have so many of your videos playing while I work on my art. As an almost 40 year old, in people years anyways, this helps sooo much.
I love how I come to realize almost all of these tips right before I watch your videos. Ty for the info!
Just browsing the comments, it seems there's a whole lot of people like me who got into art late in life, coming from different career paths. I've been a software dev for 20+ years and am dreaming of finding some sort of synthesis of that with making art. At age 50, most likely means having my own business. Games sound obvious, but my heart beats for animation. Would welcome a video on changing your life mid-career :)
I don't know much about animation. But I DEFINITELY think that you should go that route if your heart is in it! You could probably start out by directing your own animatics and posting them on youtube. Or just dig right into animating small polished scenes.
@@TrentKaniuga Hey, thanks for the encouragement! I‘ll have to throw myself into it and see how it goes. At least I know I can write my own tools, when needed :)
I’m currently working on my portfolio, so this is very motivating to listen to
personally I saw art as just a hobby never a full time gig but now after watching this I really think about it as Potential money maker judging by how many people are going into the art industry its quite lucrative THAKYOU MAN really this changed my way of thinking and perspective on my style of art
Thank you great one. Thy advice shall help me as I go through my game arts course
Thank You , wise man with a RUclips channel. 💛
TRENT!! Your videos are amazing!
These kinds of videos are difficult for me to look at, but they're an important reminder. It's necessary to realize that there's a professional standard for art. I didn't realize that soon enough, and now I'm struggling to accept it. Looking at professional standards still makes me feel disgusted with myself for even trying with such a lack of resolve, thinking of it as anything other than a profession. Because that's what an artist actually is - someone who creates art for a living. Nothing less.
I really wish I realized that sooner. If I hadn't thought of myself as an artist growing up, I wouldn't be going through this dissonance over accepting that I'm not an artist. The only people who are are the people who are determined to make that their life, and we all should realize that as soon as possible. Before you try something, know for sure that it's something you want to do, and that it's something you're guaranteed to succeed at. Know what you're getting yourself into. Understand your passion before you follow it.
This illustration looks insane
Your videos are always so great. This was was especially awesome! Love the new Ikeda drawing.
Ikeda part 2 yay!
Subscribed for the old man accent. A+
11:57
oh an art industry podcast would be SO cool! this was awesome information, and i listen to your videos while practicing my fundamentals, but if there was a longform podcast kinda like the FlippedNormals discussions... oh ya. that would be amazing
Oh man Trent, I wish I listened to you when I was still in high school lmao... Im turning 20 this year and I've finished my 3D game art diplomas, and am currently finishing up a year of grad diploma of management only because I got CTS right at the end of my art course - unfortunately, still have it and the bugger adapts to everything! Not something someone my age should have lol.
I'm actually in a bit of a pickle because I don't know what part of the art field to pursue - I know I want to do art but just dunno what to pick lol. I either want to become a 3D generalist, rigger and Python tool scripter, illustrator or character artist... and that's a lot of options!
At the start of my 3D game art diploma I decided I wanted to work in games and work as a 3D generalist, keeping illustration as a hobby, but idk anymore ever since CTS hit. I don't really have the passion to do any specific field (maybe other than rigging but they're not exactly high in demand last time I checked...), just something in the art field.
What would be your advice for someone who's half indecisive like me? xD
In the end since this management course also requires us to develop a game by the side in a group (or not) of our choosing and market it, maybe this question will answer itself but yeah lol.
Great stuff man, great stuff!))) thank you!
Very helpful advice. I'm 21 so I felt special watching this. 🤗 In my case, I'm currently working on growing my art channel. My goal is to do RUclips full time in the future. Never thought I'd love making videos so much. Thank you for being so generous with your insight and wisdom. ♥️
Glad to hear it! You got a new sub.
@@TrentKaniuga 3 months later and I JUST read your reply. YOU ARE AWESOME!! ♥️
This gave me such a good chuckle! I gotta admit: starting your own business is probably the same amount of work as going to work for a company. It's just different kinds of work. As a business owner, you're wearing many hats in order to make a way for yourself. Working for others, you're wearing many hats in order to make a way for THEM to succeed.
So, you just gotta ask yourself: Do I want JUST the money or do I want the money AND the glory? =\
I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!! I watch them whenever I have a suggestion either below the video I was currently watching, or if it pops up on my RUclips channel. Or if I'm in the mood, or having a decent "mental day," and are able to concentrate and focus in the present, and want to learn more about the professional art industry/business. They're so helpful!!! It's always a great thing to me, and very generous thing, to when professional and a well known artist provides free content of when/how they got there, and what skills you need in order to get to the very top, or what you need when your just starting out.
It's interesting you mention making a list of skills you need to work on from the fundamentals master list. I started this list at the end of March, and I have a few written down, but I haven't finished it yet. For one obvious reason, there's always a need and a will to learn more, but also, I wanted to start drawing some more original work before I wrote any more down. I've heard over & over, even if I've finished a bunch of other artists' RUclips tutorials, yes while I improved a bunched and have some finished work, what I've learned is this is their work, and you shouldn't post it or have it in your stack of portfolio work, and most jobs and employers who hire others, like you said, will skip past it.
I've also been getting into more of watching a variety of artists review other artists' portfolios. What helps me know, and gives me a peace of mine, is knowing that they've gone to school, either the 4 years or the 6 years, and sometimes they link they're professional portfolio down in their "about" page on yt. Seeing this helps me know their very legit, and have done the work and have gotten jobs too. So those def help me as well. I'm always looking for free content when it comes to learning art, since there is so much to learn, even if you've taken classes in school. My indecisive brain constantly doesn't know where to start learning. I know the basic fundamentals from a couple of high school classes I took. The career center I went to, didn't have an art focused career lab. They had digital media "general content and learning," but it wasn't fine art/digital art stuff or 3D art specific, which is what I was going for, especially after taking the test of the different skills and seeing what career field you fell in, I fell high in the arts field. I decided took a break from learning and just focused on drawing from my books I had previously brought, & getting into and finding more artists on RUclips to watch that post that type of content. I also ended up having my parents get me a couple of subscriptions to artist I originally found on yt, and really like. how they taught art, it was very simple and easy for me to understand, & follow.
To sum it up, this is one of the more helpful channels, and all videos, out of the what has to be 200+ videos/channels I've watched over the past 3 and a half years. I know I've already said it, but I can't say it enough, HUGE thank you!!!!
I wish this video existed 10 years ago.
OH YES I MISSED THIS INTRO MUSIC
Great video man. Thanks for the motivation.
Is it harder to get into a top studio or begin your own? If you went back in time, would you have focused on making your own company/IP's earlier?
Yes. I would have only ever worked for myself, OR I would have insisted on getting stock compensation (become a part owner of the company) for the years that I spent at the companies I worked for.
23, focused on concept art/design. Specifically environment and props. I want to design things that will be apart of world building. Definitely self taught, though I got some pipeline experience from a generalist animation course at a local college. Though channels like yours and FZD School has taught me the most of what I need to know about the industry, what I need to know how to do. When I get a bit more confident I would love to take part in one of your monthly concept art challenges. I started getting focused a bit later than many... much much later than you, but I can't see myself making a career without a drawing monitor and a pen stylus in my hand.
knowing what to do in their early 20s 😂😂😂
the whole world is open to you, deciding what to do is damn difficult :)
Ah, started my twenties last year so this is definitely everything I need to hear lol.
Yo, that's a sick piece of work. Your grunge, dirty look on drawing is an inspiration!
Thanks a ton!
I'm 21 and started digital art (and art in general...) 5 months ago. I'm studying computer engineering at university, a different field indeed, but drawing always has its space lately. I draw mostly to give life to the characters I have in mind and my skills are lacking, but I hope to acquire them over the years and, who knows, maybe combine work with my passion for drawing.
Ps: Thanks for your always invaluable advice, you are very inspiring.
i feel called out gonna watch it
I'm actually in my early thirties and trying to pivot into the gaming industry and this is still some very solid advice! I wasn't able to pursue this in my 20s due to some family issues, health complications , and financial difficulties making my day-to-day simply a matter of survival, but now that I have some stability in my life I'm trying to get into an industry I've always admired and wanted to get into. Thank you!
I'm currently grinding away at getting some better character sheets and technical work ups like turnarounds on my portfolio and I'm hoping to try to get a position somewhere by the end of the year, but my current goals (besides applying to various positions) are to broaden the genres of work available in my portfolio and to get more comfortable with using 3d and Blender in my workflow.
39 expat living in Tokyo leaving it later than most to assault the art career (deeply regret just coasting the last twenty years away in a career I’ve just tried to survive at) but always feel more reassured after a Trent video, not sure how I’ll fare against hungry Japanese graduates but gotta fight for it if you want it. Also love the old intro coming back !
Please do a video on beginner 30s and what we should do 🙏🏾🙏🏾
Just posted that one!
im 29 and still trying to establish myself, get started on a portfolio and take an animation course for a diploma.
thanks for the tips on making a list Trent, I never really had a well thought out plan for everything i am trying to accomplish :D. I appreciate your videos!
I've been dragging my feet over the last week, my first bit of good new since covid started and my motivation to work disappeared from a small feeling of accomplishment. It's really helpful to get reminders on the simple things to keep working at, updating the portfolio etc, otherwise I'd be stuck wondering what to do next, while doing nothing.
I hope to see an other video from you in 20 years!
If RUclips doesn't kick me out. Or if the world still exists. Or if its still legal to have opinions online. yes. I'll be here.
Reaching my 20 next year. I want to work for square enix as one of their concept artist. But I think I'm far from it. Might just create my own business.
Currently working as a freelancer for an indie developer
oh yeah Trent! give me 4 years. i will be the dude making the flip and thanking you for this video.
I needed this!
Honestly I love your videos, I’ve been watching a few a day the last little while. Lately I graduated game design an dev school (which I sort of regret going to) and I’ve been just practicing fundamentals like crazy… but I really need to hunker down and remake my portfolio or, better yet, define a way I can make money for my own projects, and I’m so so nervous to basically pick my life path 😂😂 establishing myself is such a nerve-wracking task especially when I’m already spending so much time every week making shit money as a line cook 💀 idk I guess this comment turned into a rant, I’m sorry, but. The point is your videos are helping me gain a better understanding of what I’m choosing between, which I really appreciate
Yes, I would be interested in a video "What you need to know if you're in your 30s or 40s and want to start your own business"
cool video! And cool art!