Are you an artist or just a hobbyist?

[keac]

I'm asking this because I saw my classmates and other schoolmates who are better at drawing. Those people are actually known because I don't even wanna bother letting them watch me draw cartoons since they draw eyes and realism. I asked them if they want to be an artist if they grow up or if they joined our art club, they said they have a different goal in life or just wasn't sure of their choice, I assume it was just a hobby.

Being most of you a creator in the community, are you an artist or just a hobbyist who is really good at drawing?

[okellymx]

In between the two, I do professional art jobs when I like the task. Most of the time I don't like to draw other people's ideas(even if they pay), which is why I consider myself a hobbyist as well.

[mariusthered]

I'm a caricaturist and draw my comic most of the time. I also get commissions in and work on anything I can do , I have draw cartoons for logos and advertisements for years now.

[Kayke]

I'm an artist. I went to school and got my BFA in Illustration, not that a degree is what makes you an artist. I just mean that I've spent years of my life studying and practicing illustration/cartooning. I do freelance work professionally as well as selling my own comics.

I gather that you feel self conscious about your classmates drawing realism when you would rather draw cartoons? While learning how to draw realistically has helped me with a lot of things, like anatomy and shading, all of the work I actually get paid for is very stylized and simplistic. It's important to pay attention in your art classes and learn all you can from your teachers by following their assignments, but don't feel like you're less of an artist for drawing in a stylized way.

[igneriss]

Both, probably? I draw comics as a hobby, but also got some art-related jobs (like creating illustrations for colouring books). Currently I'm considering being a full-time artist after I finish uni, though I'm studying to be a chemist. Or maybe I could be both professional artist and chemist? Life will show : p

[Chiper1811]

I am a website/graphic designer, although I also draw extensively. I consider drawing as a hobby with benefit as I'm also looking for ways to monetize this in the future. I know when I said monetize it might sound so mercenary, but to be able to keep drawing you do need some funds as drawing takes a huge time and commitment, especially when you draw comic strips. I like to call it a hobby as well because that means I have the option to refuse a project if I don't think it suits me, although in the past I have taken illustration assignments for books.

Those people are actually known because I don't even wanna bother letting them watch me draw cartoons since they draw eyes and realism.

Don't let your own judgement clouds your vision. Those people who can draw with much realism probably envy the ease and swiftness of a cartoonist and the ability to express a story through the medium. I myself cannot really draw realism, but I realise that probably also stems from my style 'preference'. While in the past I enjoyed looking at a friend's realistic drawing (and in art school, you have lots of them), I also have realised that drawing cartoon is truly my strength and that's my way of contributing to the artistic community. I mean, so what if they can draw realistic figures? We've got to love what we draw If we don't take pride in what we achieve, then who will??

[jacintawibowo]

I think people who are good at drawing but don't pursue a professional career are common, they might still be deciding or end up picked up by a company later.

I'm a comic artist! I hobby occasionally on animation. I do plan to pursue comics professionally!

[zoonland]

I have to be a hobbyist.
I'd like to live of my art but is almost impossible to be a professional artist in my country, and I can't put bread on the table with dreams and ambitions. Bills and rent needs to be payed every month, I can't say them "wait some more months until somebody hires me"

[mg78]

i call myself "fantasist" XD (dunno if its the right eng translation...)

[RenO_D]

A complete amateur here!

I am a teacher in a field with absolutely no relationship with art/comics.
But I manage to reserve a lot of free time to comics.

[Raven_C]

Artist, i guess? I study art in college and want an art-related profession cuz that's all I'm good at.

[Doubtcent]

Well both. Next question.

No but seriously, I am both. To be an artist doesn't mean you have to have a specific future in mind. It can be, as one might say, just a hobby. You don't have to be paid, you don't have to be famous, you don't even have to share it with anyone. If you create something, you are an artist. Be it for comics, video games, art, or I would say writing. If you are good at describing something, you are an artist with words. You are literally painting into the mind, however there will be many interpretations of what it looks like.

[ConradComics]

Hobbyist, because I usually draw in what I would consider to be my spare/leisure time.

[joannekwan]

Artist I guess.
I got a BFA in graphic design, but I by far have gotten way more commissions just illustrating. And any money I make is from my art, since I don't got a real job.

[DynamoToon]

This is more of a hobby for me. Although, I would LOVE to do this legitimately. It'd be awesome!

[AnnaLandin]

I'm a professional illustrator (hi please give me a job), but it definitely started as a hobby. Now I do it for a living. My style is fairly realistic, but I do also draw cartoony stuff a lot of the time.

Thus far, I've worked mostly on textbook-illustrations, and one very small game-project. I'm really hoping to expand and do more varied stuff in the future.

[eschaefges]

Hobbyist! I want to write professionally, but probably never draw professionally... Writing is more fun for me!

[scythe]

I've made plenty of money off my art for over a decade now, yet it's never been my main occupation, so while it's not my job, I have no problem calling myself a professional artist. Definitely not a professional comic artist though. That feels like a far away dream right now. So yeah, still a hobbyist on that front.

[Kecreed]

On my way to become a freelance illustrator hopefully a professional freelance illustrator. I'm stuck in between doing work for potential publishing companies or working in the local game industry. I guess in terms of comics I'm a hobbyist because I don't see myself getting paid for these. Mostly because my skill in drawing people is low. Hoping to change that soon.

[Aetherwing]

Artist but it's also what I love to do in my 'spare' time. I have a BA in art and I work on comics pretty much full time. Also I just landed my first art-related job!