Which is the most horrifying painting and what made it so? part 2

 This is a continuation of the previous post. If you are missing the basic premise and details, please go and check that out. One more time I am posting the painting in here. This is Henry Fuseli's "The nightmare"

Deconstructing the structure of the painting

First thing you must notice is where is the vertical. We can divide the painting into upper half and Bottom half

We are looking at; where is the first vertical in the painting. Human mind is unconsciously focused on finding the vertical structures first in any given frame. One can find there is no verticals in the top half of the painting. The first pronounced vertical we can find is on the bottom half, which is very unnatural. So, the vertical is not coming from up to down. It is going from down to up.

Which means what?

The entire image has a second read. That means the image can be flipped.

Can you see more patterns and meaning?

We can discuss more with another blog post.

Which is the most horrifying painting and what made it so?

 Art is a matter of taste and the impact of one artwork can vary from one to another. But, there is one classic painting that fascinates and terrifies the collective imagination than the rest. That is the nightmare by Henry Fuseli

Let us try to deconstruct it and think what it is making this painting a successful one

To consider one artwork as popular then it must communicate with men of all sectors and cognitive capabilities. It must terrify both the peasant and the king. Both the Jack and the Intellectual.

What is the first reading?

A woman sleeping. She is not sleeping. she seems like tired and unable to move. Your unconscious will picks that up very quickly. Images are having deep impact on your unconscious than words. 

Then we see a figure on top of her sitting. It looks directly towards us. Consciously we don't know what it is. without having any cultural conditioning, this is the read.

Then there is another figure which is a horse.

Second reading. Digging a little deeper.

Let us see what our collective interpretation is about this painting

Wikipedia writes: The Nightmare is a 1781 oil painting by Swiss artist Henry Fuseli. It shows a woman in deep sleep with her arms thrown below her, and with a demonic and ape-like incubus crouched on her chest.

What is an incubus?

An incubus (pl.: incubi) is a demon in male form in folklore that seeks to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; the corresponding spirit in female form is called a succubus. Parallels exist in many cultures.

From this much itself we have understood the painting can communicate with deep archetypal layers.That is made possible by the inclusion of the character Incubus

Wikipedia: One of the earliest evident mentions of a demon sharing qualities to an incubus comes from Mesopotamia on the Sumerian King List, circa 2400 BC, where the hero Gilgamesh's father is listed as Lilu.^[4]

It dates back to 2400 bc. So basically what you are looking at and communicating is something which is more than 4000 year old. Your response to that painting is the neurological wiring that happened in this timeline. People who have been lived in that mythological / folklorish geography/ time will respond better to this than those who haven't lived. Or is it? Am I wrong?

Is there something called collective consciousness? Does a specific image trigger all human beings irrespective of their race, religion or nationality and the culture they are programmed by?  Does this image do that?

Let us ask ChatGPT about the Jungian interpretation with quotes

The Nightmare: A Jungian Interpretation

1. The Unconscious and the Shadow

   • Jung believed that the unconscious mind plays a crucial role in our psyche, storing repressed fears, desires, and memories. In "The Nightmare," the sleeping woman represents the conscious mind, while the demonic incubus and the ghostly horse symbolize the darker, unconscious forces.
   • Quote: "The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real." (Jung, Aion, CW 9ii, para. 14)

2. The Incubus as a Shadow Figure

   • The incubus perched on the woman's chest can be seen as an embodiment of the shadow, representing suppressed desires and primal fears. The weight of the incubus on the chest evokes the sensation of sleep paralysis, a common phenomenon where one feels an oppressive presence and an inability to move.
   • Quote: "Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is." (Jung, Psychology and Religion, CW 11, para. 131)

3. The Horse as a Symbol of Instinctual Forces

   • The ghostly horse, with its wild and unrestrained appearance, can be interpreted as a symbol of untamed instinctual forces lurking in the unconscious. Jung often associated animals in dreams with instinctual drives and energies.
   • Quote: "The horse represents the dynamism of the animal drive." (Jung, Man and His Symbols, p. 239)

4. The Anima and the Feminine Aspect

   • The sleeping woman could also be seen as an embodiment of the anima, the feminine aspect of the male psyche, according to Jung. Her vulnerability and passive state may reflect the unconscious and often repressed feminine qualities within the male psyche.
   • Quote: "The anima is not the soul in the dogmatic sense, not an anima rationalis, but a natural archetype that satisfactorily sums up all the statements of the unconscious, of the primitive mind, of the history of language and religion." (Jung, Two Essays on Analytical Psychology, CW 7, para. 327)

5. Projection and Repression

• Jung believed that nightmares often arise from the projection of repressed content from the unconscious. The painting could be seen as an illustration of such a projection, where the woman's fears and desires manifest as external, monstrous figures.
• Quote: "Projections change the world into the replica of one's own unknown face." (Jung, Aion, CW 9ii, para. 17)

"The Nightmare" and Sleep paralysis

Approximately 8% to 40% people suffer from sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime. 

"Fuseli’s 'The Nightmare' is often cited as a visual representation of the sleep paralysis experience. The demon-like incubus sitting on the woman's chest reflects the sensation of chest pressure and the overwhelming terror reported by many who suffer from sleep paralysis."

Ask chatGPT about the book written on this with quote

1. "Sleep Paralysis: Night-mares, Nocebos, and the Mind-Body Connection" by Shelley R. Adler

• Adler's book examines sleep paralysis from various cultural and medical perspectives, linking the phenomenon to the universal experience of nightmarish visions.
• Quote: "The most common feature of sleep paralysis is the sensation of a malevolent presence. This sense of presence is often accompanied by extreme fear, and frequently by the perception of actual sounds, sights, or tactile sensations. These hallucinations often include an intruder or demon sitting on the chest, as vividly portrayed in Fuseli's 'The Nightmare.'"

2. "Sleep Paralysis: Historical, Psychological, and Medical Perspectives" edited by J. Allan Cheyne and Steve J. Rushton

• This edited volume offers a comprehensive look at sleep paralysis, including its historical interpretations and its representation in art.
• Quote: "Fuseli’s 'The Nightmare' is often cited as a visual representation of the sleep paralysis experience. The demon-like incubus sitting on the woman's chest reflects the sensation of chest pressure and the overwhelming terror reported by many who suffer from sleep paralysis."

Interpretations of "The Nightmare"

1. "Art and Science of Sleep Medicine" edited by Meir H. Kryger, Thomas Roth, and William C. Dement

• This book provides insights into how sleep disorders, including sleep paralysis, have influenced art and culture.
• Quote: "Henri Fuseli’s painting 'The Nightmare' is a striking depiction of the hallucinatory experiences often reported during sleep paralysis. The oppressive figure on the sleeper’s chest symbolizes the crushing weight many individuals feel, while the eerie horse peering through the curtains represents the pervasive sense of an evil presence."

2. "The Science of Sleep: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters" by Wallace B. Mendelson

• Mendelson discusses the physiological and psychological aspects of sleep, including disorders like sleep paralysis.
• Quote: "Fuseli’s 'The Nightmare' captures the essence of sleep paralysis with remarkable accuracy. The painting’s depiction of a demonic presence is reflective of the common hallucinations experienced during an episode, where the sleeper is aware but unable to move and feels an overwhelming sense of dread."

Psychological and Cultural Connections

1. "The Interpretation of Dreams" by Sigmund Freud

• While not specifically about sleep paralysis, Freud’s work delves into the meaning of dreams and nightmarish experiences.
• Quote: "The pressure on the chest in nightmares, often associated with the presence of a sinister figure, can be traced back to repressed emotions and desires. Fuseli's 'The Nightmare' exemplifies this dynamic, where the demonic incubus represents the unacknowledged fears and anxieties of the dreamer."

2. "Man and His Symbols" by Carl G. Jung

• Jung’s exploration of symbols and the unconscious mind can be applied to understanding the imagery in "The Nightmare."
• Quote: "The figures in 'The Nightmare' are powerful archetypes emerging from the collective unconscious. The incubus and the spectral horse symbolize the shadow aspects of the psyche, which manifest in the paralyzed state between sleep and wakefulness, embodying the confrontation with inner fears."

Structure of the painting

This is the notan of this painting

Notan with black and whites. Value structure 

Notan with red channel

Can you understand something. If you cant understand anything that is because your brain is feminine. It hasn't masculinized yet. A MAN OBSEREVES AND UNDERSTANDS. FOR A WOMAN IT HAS TO BE VERRBALIZED. 

IF A GEOGRAPHY HAS MORE MASCULINIZED BRAIN THEN THEY WILL ENSLAVE THOSE THE ONES WHICH ARE FEMININE.

I am not going to spoon feed you anything. If you understand something that is better. Or your lose.

Ok. That's it. See you with another blog post.

Horror illustration. Assistance from chat GPT

 Ok. Back to the horror illustration I have been working on.

I asked chatGPT "How to make the composition more horror like. Camera angles and other technique before rendering"

Here is what it said: (most people I see refer chatGPT as him. It is a machine. No one of your kind. Doesn't matter how intelligent it will become. THINK LIKE A MAN. NOT LIKE A WOMAN. If an alien d**k appear on the sky, women will be all over it. Not you. YOU MUST THINK LIKE A MAN)

"To make the composition more horror-like, you can apply various techniques with camera angles, lighting, and framing. Here are some suggestions before rendering:

Camera Angles

1. Low Angle Shot: Place the camera low to the ground and angle it upwards to make the figure appear more imposing and sinister.
2. Dutch Angle (Tilted): Tilt the camera slightly to create a sense of unease and disorientation.
3. Close-Up: Zoom in on the face or hands to emphasize emotions and details, creating a claustrophobic feeling.

Lighting

1. Low-Key Lighting: Use low-key lighting to create strong contrasts and deep shadows. This can add a dramatic and mysterious atmosphere.
2. Under Lighting: Illuminate the figure from below to cast eerie shadows and give the impression of an unnatural light source.
3. Backlighting: Place a light source behind the figure to create a silhouette effect, emphasizing the outline and creating a sense of mystery.

Framing and Composition

1. Off-Center Framing: Place the subject slightly off-center to create tension and imbalance.
2. Foreground Elements: Add objects in the foreground, slightly out of focus, to create depth and a sense of being watched or trapped.
3. Negative Space: Use negative space to create a sense of isolation and vulnerability.

Additional Techniques

1. Fog or Haze: Add a layer of fog or haze to obscure parts of the scene and create an ominous atmosphere.
2. Textures and Details: Enhance the texture of the figure's clothing or skin to add a creepy and unsettling effect.
3. Post-Processing Effects: Apply grain, vignetting, or desaturation in post-processing to give the final render a more distressed and horror-like appearance.

By adjusting these elements, you can create a more chilling and atmospheric composition."

ChatGPT ends

Ok. Most of the things it says cannot be taken into consideration. Off-center Framing for example. It will be effective if you showing the character (victim) who is afraid. Not when you introduce the monster or vampire, Dracula or whatever the thing is. I think we must ask it again. This time more specifically. Next time

See you with another blog post

Poster for an event. Final design

 Here is the finished delivery

I haven't added blood. Seems like this one is having a more finished look. The font is given a boost with a bit of burn in the background. Added little people on the landscape like chatGPT have suggested. That's it. I think this image reads well. That's it. Cannot continue one design forever. This is the final. Done. Hope you will like it too.

See you with another blog post.

Comparing two design and Judging them as a human. What that differentiates me as a graphic designer and chatGPT in judging art?

 

(Disclaimer: I am not a feeling type person. I am strictly a thinking type. I don't have any idea the impact this will be having on another human being. Mainly because of the reason I cannot feel an artwork. I can think and judge. Probably like the machine.)

Ok. Which one I like the most?

I think it is the second one. But it is a kind of imperfect. The font is off. The grading below is off. There is no transition of light to dark. It seems like a complete disaster. But as the main theme which is going on in this scene is disaster. Especially with explosions, I think you cannot be too perfect. If the text is more pronounced in the first one it will be better. To do that you need to burn(tool in photoshop) the explosion  behind it which will affect the light to dark gradient which is working the way up to the top of the frame. But the first one appears lifeless actually. The font also seems like a problem in here. It is invisible in the explosion.

The second one is more creative, but imperfect.

The first one is perfect, but lifeless.

Comparing two images and asking ai critique. Which one is better?

The first image is one I have created without any ai critique. The second one is modified with the opinion according to chatGPT.. I have uploaded both of the these images and asked Which one is better

Here are the images

Without blood stain. Modified levels in the bottom.

This is the first image I have uploaded on ChatGPT for assistance

Here is what it said:

ChatGPT analysis

Composition Analysis:

First Design (Without Blood Stains):

• Focus and Cleanliness: This design has a clean and focused composition. The central character is prominent, and the background elements are well-integrated without any distracting elements.
• Visual Flow: The narrative elements are organized in a way that leads the viewer's eye through the image, creating a cohesive visual story.

Second Design (With Blood Stains):

• Enhanced Drama: The blood stains add an element of drama and urgency to the composition. They draw attention to the central character and add a sense of conflict or danger.
• Visual Impact: The composition remains strong with the added blood stains, as they do not disrupt the overall balance and flow of the image.

Comparison:

Overall Composition:

• Visual Flow and Cohesion: Both designs maintain a strong visual flow and cohesion, effectively guiding the viewer's eye through the image.
• Central Focus: The central character remains the focal point in both designs, with background elements supporting the narrative.

Preference:

• Drama and Intrigue: The second design, with the blood stains, adds a layer of drama and intrigue, enhancing the overall impact without disrupting the composition.
• Cleanliness and Simplicity: The first design, without the blood stains, offers a cleaner and simpler look, which may be preferable for a more understated or refined approach.

Conclusion:

• Better Composition: The second design, with the blood stains, is better in terms of composition. The added element of the blood stains enhances the visual impact and narrative depth without compromising the overall balance and flow of the image. It creates a more compelling and engaging composition that can attract and retain the viewer's attention.

By integrating the blood stains seamlessly and ensuring they complement rather than distract from the central character and background scenes, the overall composition achieves a stronger and more dynamic effect.

I will write what I am thinking about these modifications in the next blog post

Thank you

 

Revised version of the poster after the ai critique

 This is the revised version after the ai critique. Please have a look. Thanks

Poster design for an event

AI art critique - Critiquing my recent work

 

Pig roast royale event poster

Here is the poster design. Let me see what chatGPT says about the design.

This is the opinion of chatGPT about the current artwork

The artwork you've uploaded appears to be a digital illustration with a mix of action and dramatic elements, reminiscent of movie or book covers. The quality of such artwork in the current marketplace can be evaluated based on several factors:

1. Technical Skill: The image demonstrates strong technical skill in terms of composition, color use, and rendering. The figure is dynamic, and the overall atmosphere is engaging and cinematic.

2. Style: The style is modern and somewhat painterly, which is popular in current digital art trends. It combines realistic elements with a stylized approach, making it appealing to a broad audience.

3. Market Trends: In the marketplace, particularly in entertainment and media, artwork that evokes a strong narrative and has a professional finish is highly valued. This piece seems well-suited for use in promotional materials for films, books, or games, which are thriving sectors in the digital art market.

4. Audience and Purpose: If this artwork is intended for a specific niche, such as fans of action-thriller genres, it aligns well with what is often sought after in covers and promotional content. The marketability can also depend on the context in which it is used, such as a book cover, movie poster, or game promotional material.

5. Print Quality and Digital Demand: High-resolution digital art is in demand both for print (posters, covers) and digital use (e-books, online promotion). The image quality appears sufficient for both uses, enhancing its market value.

Overall, the quality of this artwork is high and fits well with current market demands for visually compelling and technically proficient illustrations in the entertainment industry.

Ok. Before submitting it, I want to know what all are the problems with this piece. Lets ask chat gpt in detail. 

Here is what it said:

Areas for Improvement

1. Clarity and Focus: While the painterly style is appealing, some areas, especially the vignettes, could benefit from slightly more detail to ensure clarity and enhance storytelling. For instance, the coastal scene and the house could be more defined to prevent any confusion about the setting.
2. Balance: The bottom part of the artwork feels slightly heavier due to the dark tones of the car and the house. A more balanced distribution of light and dark areas could improve the overall harmony of the piece.
3. Integration of Elements: While the vignettes add narrative depth, their integration with the central figure could be smoother. They currently feel a bit detached, almost like separate panels. More blending or interaction between the vignettes and the main figure could create a more cohesive visual experience.

Final Thoughts

Overall, "Pig Roast Royale" is a compelling and visually striking piece of graphic artwork. It effectively combines technical skill with a strong narrative element, making it suitable for promotional materials in the action-thriller genre. With a few tweaks to enhance clarity and balance, it could reach even higher levels of impact and appeal.

Ok. I think I have to improve in some areas before submitting it. Seems like a safe bet then

See you with another blog post

The nature of Social media Algorithm right now in 2024

 Algorithm is extremely emotionally manipulative. That is the nature of Facebook and Instagram  right now. 

Do I think it is intentionally made that way?

It is the nature of intelligence to predicate its effort on  easily controllable variables than complex ones. Because that is cost efficient.  So, this is a byproduct of that. Emotions are basically a cost efficient way to optimize an organism for survival. Right now most of the algorithm works on "dopamine boost" technology. But Facebook and Instagram is on other side. If you use Fakebook or Instagram you will have cptsd for sure. It is better to get out of it before it gets too late

Poster design for an event

 Here is the finished version of the poster I have been working on. Please have a look. if you have similar works please be interested in contacting me. Thanks

How to remove your mental block as an Artist?

 If you want to be  successful  you must remove the mental block. How to do it? No one knows. Often times people are talking like its all in your mind. Yes it is. But no one is talking like how to overcome it. There is no practice until now to overcome it. Something which comes close to overcoming your limitations is meditation

It is all in your mind!

Yes it is. But how to overcome it. Nobody knows. That is the reality. People have a vague idea about their psyche. They can perceive it like a fog. That is why they say it like that. It is because of that person. That shadow beyond your "self" But, actually no one knows what they are talking about.

Do I share if I know about it.

No. I wont

Freelancer contest entry. Banner design

 Here is my contest entry in Freelancer.com. It is an Event poster. The client wants Something like "Casino royal style" It is a work in progress. I hope I can finish it today.

Movie poster illustration

Is Linkedin profile important?

 Yes. It is important . Upload and update your linkedin profile with recent works.

When we go fishing we are looking to catch some giant fish actually. Cast the net wide. 

Just keep it updated. You will get remote jobs if interested. 

How do you approach the Horror illustration? Who are some of the best Horror Illustrators?

 You got a gig to illustrate horror and Where do you go to get inspiration and references?

Horror illustrators can be classified into Arthouse Illustrators and Commercial Illustrators

Arthouse Horror illustrations

1. Zdzisław Beksiński 
2. H R Giger

There are only few Illustrators or painters who is absolute and doing things without any compromise.

Commercial ones

1. Arthur Rackham
2. Nils hamm
3. Jason A. Engle
4. Bernie Wrightson
5. Clive Barker

These are some of the illustrators which are the best in commercial firm that includes Magazine, Books and Films. 

Why i have differentiated them into two groups is because of this reason. 

Most of the works created by Zdzisław Beksiński were personal pieces. If you have the time and money to do that. then it is better. Commercial artists like Arthur Rackham was not creating personal pieces. He was getting commission from other editorials and magazines and illustrations were the major share of his livelihood.

IF YOU WANT TO BE A REAL ARTIST, HAVE A REAL JOB AND CREATE ART IN SPARE TIME

Now, you are not an Artist. you are a craftsman. Lets get into business. We want to make some out of it. For that we must go to Bekisnski than Rackham first and understand the core of Horror Illustrations. And when applying it in the medium you can go to any of the Commerrcial artists to get the job done. Because you are getting the job with a specific instruction. Water color painting style or Gustave Dore style.( we have missed a Legend in here which is Paul Gustave Louis Christophe Dore) Then you study their style.

Basically you understand the substance from Arthouse Illustrators and Implement the style and technique of Commercial artists.

And when you practice it again and again, you will develop your own thing. And with good interpersonal relationship with the editors and professionals you can achieve great success in this field. Nothing to worry about.

But my art is not good enough!

If you have sold your artwork for money, then you are good enough. Stop beating over it. It is all right. We will become good at it, eventually. 

Excellence is not an act, But a habit. - Aristotle

Ok. That's it. Good luck.

See you with another blog post

How to create a horror cover illustration? The entire process- part 1

 The description I got for this specific project is like this: "The artwork should have a dark horrific style, with elements of realism to bring the horror to life. Think along the lines of The Crow or Hellboy.  He is a priest who has come back from the dead. He will be messy and still in his priest clothes, but with an Assassin's Creed style hood. He also has a noose hanging around his neck. Instead of knives, he holds two ornate crucifixes."

First things first. I have just estimated a rough time to complete this project. It will be around 8 working hours.

We can segment this time into 

1. Developmental phase
2. Process phase
3. Post production phase

Developmental phase (1 hour)

Collecting reference images for the project. Looking the works all great illustrators in the past who has done some great horror works.

Here is a list of the best Horror artists

Then collect the reference for the current subject. I will post some pictures I have used for reference in the way. Then block it in 3d to know the lighting and composition.

Blender 3d render 

Next step is figuring out things in photoshop. That is moving onto the next that is process phase

Will post more things in the next blog post

How to bid on freelancer.com as a graphic designer and illustrator?. Mindset and strategies one can implement

 Ok. Say that this your favorite job is posted by a client and you want to bid on it. How does you approach it?

First of all, the person who has posted a job is not your friend, uncle or any other relatives. In fact you must consider him as your enemy. He has no intention of giving you the job. If there is a slight slip on your side, he is more than happy to give the job to someone else. 

1. Read the job description multiple times. Have a strong grasp of what he is looking for
2. Go to proposals. Read the proposal submitted by your competitors. Some are SEALED and some are not. THE SEALED ONES KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT GIVING AWAY THEIR PITCH
3. Think how much money is in your bank account. And now imagine your are investing all of it in one of the bidder (which is your competitor). Choose that person. Observe and understand what that person is doing that others don't. Write it down

Writing the proposal

You must convey you are Competent, intelligent and creative in one sentence in the main title of the proposal. Then write down your experience. Reason you are writing your experience in the second line is most people write it down in the first line. It looks similar. You don't stand out then. The client has only few seconds to figure out who you are and what the pitch is.

Then make him understand that you have read his description. "from your job description I have understood you are looking for a ......" Mention it clearly you have read the description. Copy and paste the exact words. That is a part of mirroring in hypnosis. It is very effective.

last one is CTA(call to action). "Seal the proposal now to get a discount", "Let's discuss your project! Book a consultation today", "Discover the quality of my work. Click here to view my portfolio" are all Call to action.

Pricing strategies

You must price it average. Do not go down that price. The client will think your time is not valuable. 

The structure of your proposal

1. The title  >>>  Competent, intelligent and creative 
2. Body       >>>  Your experience and job description
3. CTA        >>>  Offer a unique value proposition. Discount or quick delivery time

That's it.

Best of luck. See you with another blog post.

How to start and end your day?

 Always start your day with Bible read and end it with another one. That will help you to remove unnecessary thoughts from your mind frame. Especially in this world of social media your attention span is depleting. You may think the post you have read on social media is having no effect on you. But it is having an unconscious effect on you. That is why a billion dollars have invested on it. The Algorithm will do its job. You are a biological organism which has limitations. If someone poke an animal with a stick, it react back. It knows it is reacting, but cant help. 

ALGORITHM WILL KEEP YOU IN A REACTIVE STATE OF MIND. SO THAT IT CAN CONTROL YOU

A MAN MUST ABIDE ON HIS GOD TO PRESERVE HIS SOUL

That is why it is recommended to always start your day with Bible and end your day with Bible.

How to get your first job on freelancer.com as a Graphic designer or illustrator?

First create an account. 

You must fill all the details. Nothing should be left blank. Because you are a visual artist. There is a tendency to leave things behind. Everything is not in your portfolio. Your portfolio matters. But what that matters most is the trust of your potential buyer. When a man invests money in you, he needs some assurance. In your main profile page nothing should be left blank. Everything should get a tick mark.

Add all the details in Experience, Education, Qualification and publication if that favors you. You don't have experience in your current field leave it blank. People are interested in what you are. Not, what you are not.

How freelancer works?

The Employer or client will post a job. You can bid on that job. Bid means you can apply for that job. If you are just joining freelancer.com. you will only be available 8 bids/ month. that means you can only apply for 8 times per month. The chance of you getting a job is slim to none. Let's face reality. But let's get into business.

Getting your first job. Plan A

1. Apply for contests and win.  if bidding doesn't work, apply for contests

Can you live without producing art? In the age of AI

Can you live without producing art?

If you are a creative professional the answer is "no". it is a compelling force and I don't think everyone enjoys this actually. That means when you are a creative professional you cannot go and work as an accountant. Your brain is wired that way. Can't help it. Nothing can be done.

Most of the time you are hit with this existential dilemma on multiple layers.

1. What is the meaning of what you are doing?
2. What it means for others?
3. What kind of value you are generating?

The first question you must answer yourself. ____That is art. Art stops right there

from the second question itself, trade starts.

If you are a visual artist you are not directly communicating with the market. You are communicating through a medium. A studio, a production house, a publishing house. Nobody remembers your name. Your name is not as brightly lit like "Steven Spielberg" or "James Cameroon" in the silver screen. So you are interacting with a very limited number of people. So, you must try to expand that. Book is one medium to do that. Self publishing is one great way. But adults don't read picture books. Adults watch movies. Not picture books. They do. But the percentage is less. What you have is children as a target audience. Which is great. All great stories are written for children. If you don't know to write words you must find a way to tell the story visually. And must have a plan to bring it in front of the open market. And whatever you are feeding into the young minds you must do it with utmost accountability. Walt Disney knows this. The entire Mickey mouse show was cold war propaganda. He successfully reprogrammed an entire American generation with Cartoons and comics.

As an artist you must be the one who uses his intuition in deciding where your ingroup should be heading. You must imagine things they haven't imagined. You must see dangers they cannot percieve -  AI cannot do this. Ai can create pretty pictures. Art is not pretty pictures. 

ART IS THE COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS GUIDING AS A COMPASS. So you have great responsibility as an artist. Don't get discouraged. 

What will change with AI?

If you are interested in chess you might have already known the fact in 1997 IBMs deep blue have beaten Gary Kasparov. But still to this day, humans are interested watching Magnus Carlson playing chess, not a machine.

Like that people will be interested in the process of painting or drawing than the drawing itself. So you need to record it. A human painting. Big thing. Than the algorithm  matching the similar pixels together. If you are a traditional painter you need to record it from the get go. And upload it on you tube. Get subscribers and sell your book. Your painting book. People are buying your personality actually. Not your art. Normal people. That is what they do. Because they don't understand art in the first place. Let me correct that. Normal people don't buy art. Normal people watched videos of another human painting will some day develop an emotional connection with you and buy your art. And some day they will realize your art makes sense. Oh yeah..yeah. That artist monkey said so.

That artist monkey said so. Because artist monkeys knows a lot of things normal people don't. There is something in it. I think.

Very well Good luck. Don't be disappointed with AI. Pursue art. Everything will be fine

Where is the Illustration market? who needs illustrator? Does self publishing works?

  Lets see whether chat gpt can help. Yes sure. it can. here it is

1. Publishing and media
2. Advertising and marketing
3. Entertainment
4. Education
5. Fashion
6. Product design and manufacturing
7. Architecture and interior design
8. Scientific and medical fields
9. Technology and software
10. Non profit and social causes

Filter out something that we can do in the beginning stages actually.

In publishing and media, you can do children's book illustration. (Note: I am not filtering or polishing these blog posts. I am writing it as raw as possible. That will help me to get some clarity. I hope that helps you too. thanks) What is the average income of a children's book illustrator

Beginners its around 20000 to 40000 per year. Experienced and renowned illustrator you will be bagging a 6 figure. Renowned illustrator will get royalty for their works. 3% to 6%. That is passive income. I mean your life is set then.

How do you get an opportunity to become a children's book illustrator?

1. Contact major publishing houses and editors
2. Self publish your book on amazon kdp

I have already self published my book on amazon kdp. Here it is. 

The question most self published author ask is "does it sell?"

No it doesn't.

Without proper marketing, without being in the book publishing business for more than 1 or 2 years, it doesn't sell. There is no magic. This is not a lottery ticket. You are competing with Penguin random house and HarperCollins. They will bury you alive and plant a rose on your coffin. Now you have understood your worthlessness let's proceed. 

But, But it is a business. If you time to invest and take it seriously you will see results some day. But that is for the future. lets focus about what that brings money now.

Freelancer.com is one good option. I don't have success in that platform. But  I am trying very hard. Most people in the self publishing business will come on that platform to hire illustrators. if you are lucky and your work is good. You will get hired. Another one is upwork. The easy one to get hired as an illustrator is Fiverr. 

See the 4400 results. that is your competition

This is my fiverr link. Hire me for a job. Or you can mail me. That is rohitofadoor@gmail.com. take a 20% commission each time you give me a job. Its easy money for you, less work and time efficient. 

That's it for today. See you tomorrow

If you are self publisher and wants to get your book published on amazon kdp please contact me. I can provide high quality illustrations within an affordable price. We can discuss how the way you want to do it. If you want to pump more books into the system with advanced ai tools which needs minor tweaking from the artist side or you want authentic children's book, I am flexible on both terms. Let us mutually benefit from each other. Please hire me on fiverr. or contact me via email. That is rohitofadoor@gmail.com. My rates are $25 / page for children's book. if you have more books it is flexible. if you want to use AI that will be more cheaper. It is easy and not too much time consuming. i can put some artistic touch in the end to make it connect it with the target audience. 

Ok. That's it for today.

See you tomorrow

Where is the illustration market?

 If you want to be a success in this field you must know where the illustration market is 

1. Publishing
2. Advertising
3. Entertainment
4. Education
5. Product design

Take publishing and have an overall outlook on this sector

Global Book publishing market is 123 billion dollars and Magazines are 74 billion in estimate. Do your own research. Don't take me for granted. And major publishing business are concentrated on North America and Europe. And US alone values 26 Billion. What does that mean to you?

It means you need to speak English. It also means you need to connect with the English speaking world with your characters and illustrations. Now you need to position yourself. If you are an Indian or Asian you can create strong visual storytelling rooted on your culture. When the "major" market is looking for someone to hire on that "specific" field, they will hire you. Now the Chinese market is booming. You can see more and more illustrations specialized and caters the Chinese culture and people. It will advance in the future. If you are in this field for a long term. keep that in mind

Estimated market value of Illustration in publishing business

The estimated market value of illustration is around $28.85 billion and $40.2 billion.  If you are a freelance illustrator or somebody who is working in any major studios you will get this pie divided by the number of people in this field. To compare and understand it, the estimated market value of global music industry is 65 billion dollars

Yes. There is money to be made in here. Cold cash. Oh boy! What must be done should be done.

Back to fiverr and freelancer my boy. What else. Lmao!

I will post more details about the other sectors in another blog post. You must digest one thing at a time. Don't be seduced by billions and billions of dollars. There is lot to be learned. Being a better artist means not living without dying. it is more than that. Getting social media likes. Chit chatting with other toddlers which are also artists. Spreading gossips and stupidity. Being salty. The list goes on. And if you meet another artist in the way, walk away. Most probably an exact thing like you. A thing that you hate.

Al right! see you with another blog post.

Illustration at 20% discount!

 

How to write a high quality children's book to publish on amazon kdp?

 There are two types of people coming into the children's book publishing business. 

1. One time book publisher
2. Building a brand. A company

You may belong in any one of these category, but your intention is to publish high quality books. First you need a professional editor for your book. Second you need a children's book illustrator. If you are inexperienced in this field, please consult someone who is having experience. Someone who has published at least one book. In my case, I have published one book which is called "Godfrey the cat". So you can hire me as an illustrator for your book. I am so sorry. I don't know to catch my nose going around the city square. Very simple. Hire me. I  am a children's book illustrator. A honest one.

Another thing is just because someone is an illustrator doesn't make him a good picture book maker. It is a completely different artform in itself. It is about the white space. it is about leaving one page blank. Creating tension with images which compels the viewer to look into the next page. All illustrators cannot do this thing. I can. Take a look at "Godfrey the cat" for example. You don't have to buy it. Amazon has look inside option. Just take a look. 

You don't have to think twice. Hire me now. It is $25 / page. Multiple books we will have discount. If you are creating a brand, I can help you with graphic design. This is it! This is the beginning of  this journey. A successful book publisher is making 6 figures. An illustrator will make 3 or 6 percent cut from it. "I am the man of good fortune" Together we can build an empire. You being the author and me being the illustrator.

That's it. Straight talk. I don't know to sugarcoat things

Thank you

How to be a successfull Illustrator?

 First of all, you need to have some clarity about what you are trying to accomplish in here.

What does it mean to be successful illustrator. That is the question you must define

I am talking about digital freehand illustration. I am not talking about traditional illustration. That is a whole other ball game. I have absolutely no idea about what it means to be a professional traditional painter or illustrator who sells one unique product for a unique client. I don't know about that,so I don't discuss it.

Lets talk about digital freehand illustration and graphic design. If you must consider yourself as a successful illustrator you must accomplish milestones in three different aspects

1. Craftsmanship
2. Economy
3. Social proof

Craftsmanship

You must be comparing your work with a greater craftsman which you consider as the best. This is solely a subjective thing. for instance, you know somebody who draws stick figures is not better than you in that sector. When you see a greater artwork you know it is a great work. No explanation or social proof is needed for that. A man has no followers, no recognition, but creates a stellar artwork. Then that dude is the one you should be aiming at.

Economy

Ok. Welcome to the real world. This is where reality meets fiction and your soul gets crunched. First you must choose a platform to earn money. right. Oh! you can do it yourself online. Then good luck. But I am speaking to those poor souls like me who don't know what and what is where. Say freelancer.com for example. You must set a goal that you must be earning this much per month. Once you have achieved your goal you are a success.

Social Proof

Its very simple. Do not want to sugarcoat it. Once you have made money run Instagram sponsored ads. You will get followers. There is your social proof. If you can get some awards, even better. If you have money make an award and award it to yourself. 

Now if you have accomplished these three things, Then you are a successful Illustrator

Hire me on fiverr to reach my financial goals

How to be a successful freelance Graphic designer and illustrator ?

 Absolutely have no idea what i am talking about in here. But it seems like a life and death situation right now. Most of the illustration jobs are taken by AI. A normal person who hired an illustrator in the previous days are going to mid journey or Prompt Artists these days. look t the job hiring on freelancer.com. people do not have any problem in hiring a prompt artist. They just need the product to be good. I mean take children's book for example. You are on the store and in the shelf you see a human illustrated book and an AI generated one. The tendency is to pick the AI generated one. So, you cant complain those who does that. Makes sense. Maybe some people will give you work because of being sentimental to you. But that is not a permanent solution to this problem.

And another thing is this giant corporations like bitches pouring money for competing the online space. Some one is googling "hire an illustrator" the first search results coming on the page are from, fiverr, Upwork and a ton of other companies which are like giant corporations. There is no way an independent artist can compete with them. So, if you want to be a successful freelancer you must go to one of these platforms which are Freelancer.com, Fiverr.com, Upwork.com

What is the chance of getting a job in there?

It is extremely difficult to land on your first job.

Fiverr is easy. that is why I am recommending fiverr. Do this thing. Create a service and create a brand around that service and post it every single day as a gig. within one week the algorithm will pick up and you will get an order. But fiverr is not a permanent solution in the long run. At some point fiverr will rank you down. mainly because of many reasons. 1. your lose of interest. 2. fiverr experimenting with new sellers 3. Change in the algorithm for new market research. Nothing is predictable. it is just like stock market. can go up. can go down. Along with that there goes your life in drain. by the way herre is my fiverr link to hire me as a storyboard artist: fiverr storyboard artist

Next is freelancer. that is where I am trying really hard these days. my strategy is posting for contests for the next 30 days continuously and bidding new jobs. But there is a bid limit. After your limit is over you need to buy more bids. Well, they are making money son. this is not charity business. You are stupid. But those who makes money are not. You need to think like a business man to see some sunshine. That is where Karl Marx has always failed. Poor man. Whatever, Must do something. Or we will die of poverty. That is going to be a pathetic death. Horrible. See you tomorrow with another blog post