Do you like to go all out in your illustrations? ♡

[surenlicious]

Afternoon y'all! Today's I've been curious to learn if you guys like to show off everything you got in your artistic skill or prefer to reserve yourself? While I don't mind artists who may not share all their goods in their art, I wonder if you have some thoughts on that?

I personally do not always go all out in my illustrative work and may actually be keeping the sword sheathed shall we say. I am aware of my artistic skill being able to actually do what I envision, but I sometimes feel guilty for not showing off everything I can do. I guess I'm at a point where I'm just really happy with what I can do and learn in my own pace, rather than try and impress my peers in my newbie days (oof, hello deviantart haha).

I'd love to hear your story and opinions on this, I certainly hope I'm not asking anything weird haha.

[CarltonIsaac]

55-75% for online sites like this.

90-100% for Clients.

[DasIstWunderblyat]

No.

Reason: lazy, no incentive (money/clout). Unless I'm doing it to impress like making a portfolio, joining a contest, or being decently paid —I never go all-out.

[VibrantFox]

I've noticed for me it doesn't so much boil down to whether or not i'm holding myself back but rather where i'm at in terms of mental or physical energy. Like if I'm in the zone I will go all out whether i intended to or not but if I'm more going through the motions or just drawing something casually then there's usually less effort put into it.

For stuff like commissions I would often feel obligated to put in my best effort because "they're paying me to do this I can't give them something lazy/low effort" even for sketches which are supposed to be minimal detail and low effort. Nowadays though, since I'm hopping back into em I'm training myself more to stick to what I say is to be provided than succumbing to the "i'm getting money for this it must be immaculate"; it's like when you're workin retail and find yourself doing way more than the paycheck is worth.

[surenlicious]

I am actually liking those reasons a lot, makes sense haha!

[surenlicious]

The way I can barely think of a percentage to put on mine omg--- XDDDD

[surenlicious]

I remember when doing client work in my younger days I also felt the pressure to go even beyond my best (whatever the heck that may even have been XD), versus now knowing what I am able to do with much more confidence. I'm glad you're more aware of your own skill range and can be a bit more at ease if offering what you're confident enough to do for the money.

[crowstories]

It kind of depends on how much time and mental bandwidth I have for each illustration, but since I switched from working on a comic every day to doing one illustration a week for my novel, I've been able to put a lot more of myself into each drawing, and really stretch to learn new skills (with mixed results lol). I've been a lot happier with my art as a result, though working on the comic did help to improve my skills rapidly in the beginning.

I have another WIP that I've poured EVEN MORE time into, and hope to actually finish one of these days (luckily I've learned the skills to do that since I last worked on it), so really given more free time, I could push my illustrations even further... there's just never enough time, unfortunately.

Here's the WIP in question:

[DanielRKM]

Oh man, yes. This. But your 55% is still pretty slick.

I find that I often work with my "deadline" art style (coined by John Romita Jr). I look back at my inconsistencies, cringe, then remember that "well, I gave myself a deadline, so that's all, folks."

[surenlicious]

I definitely am feeling you on the time part, oof. What I like about your WIP is how you take your time with it and finish it little by little, and that way it too will turn out in something very stunning. It makes me happy to hear it works out well for you this way too!

[LCT_m_a_d]

I usually try to go all out on every illustration. It allows me to fully experience and appreciate the art of creating beyond the sake of productivity. Plus, it's fun to see how far I can push the boundaries of my creative skills as a form of expression. To create with the purpose of mastering my senses. Doing fewer things fully.

Of course going all out doesn't necessarily mean detailing everything. Detail is just one aspect of my art. It's also a cognitive exercise of how much detail adds or how less detail adds. There's also thinking about the drawing conceptually, principally etc...

With that said I don't draw for money or business so it feels right to take advantage of the freedom I have and use my time mindfully. Plus my going all out can serve as a demonstration for fellow creators of the opposite. Sort of like being a classical muse to compliment the more new age creators. I think having both sides is good for art today. I can fully appreciate those who just want to get stuff done though.

[joannekwan]

It depends on my mood/mental health at the time I draw it. If I'm good and am really vibing with the drawing, I may give it special attention and make sure things are perfect.

For commissions, I just deliver what is stated on my commission sheet. I may give special attention to pieces where the client has given me a nice tip though.

[rajillustration]

Like everyone else here, it depends. For comics especially, I have to hold back because my other style is like...photoreal...and I don't believe in going WLOP. I have a time limit to my pages and so if I don't have that panel quick enough--it's time to move on, and I really don't go back and fix it, it just is what it is, and that's how free webcomics work. But, if I have a certain portfolio piece I'm excited about, or a job that is really fun to do, I will absolutely go all out. That's why they're paying me, haha.

[Kelheor]

I think I usually go all out in every illustration, some way or another. Mostly because I try to not only draw something to the best of my abilities, but I also try to learn something in the process of drawing every artwork, it doesn't necessarily needs to be something groundbreaking, but it should add to my small piggy bank.
But it also proves being problematic, because it usually takes much more time, personal investment and breaking a bit of my boundaries, that's why I have a lot of art waiting to be finished and have so few finished illustrations

[surenlicious]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I can find lots of parts of myself in your explanation as well.

[surenlicious]

Omg that latter so much hahaha! I have learned to take it easy with all the special treats, just do what the client asked and make it pretty. XD

[surenlicious]

JDKFHFJKGHJFKDHG GOING WLOP--- I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, I only recently started doing comics and I am very much in need of learning to tone it down...drastically haha.

[surenlicious]

Ouch, I'm feeling that last bit a lot! I do share learning a little bit of a new thing with each artwork, and I think you can find your balance between whipping out the goods or just sharing a little bit (but a pretty bit :D) of your skill in due time.

[Legendofgenii]

Always try to give my best effort. I might complain as I go, but it’s usually worth it in the end.

[TheGentleArtist]

I go all out nearly all the time in my illustrations. It helps to see how far I've gotten, especially when looking back at my old stuff; it also helps gauge my ability and see any weaknesses that I have.

There are times where I don't put a lot effort, yet still enough and that's when I do some casual illustrations.

It fluctuates with my comic though; there are times where I go all out and times where I put a percentage, so it is evident in different episodes. Like, there is a part of me wanting me to pull back a bit as to avoid burn out XD. Though, I feel an achievement when giving my best.