Comments on: Hindsight is 2010

By: Interview: Illustrator Ray Frenden – Graphic design tutorials, freebies, & advice by working artists and designers. | GoMediaZine

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:31:52 +0000

[...] self taught (http://frenden.com/hindsight-is-2010/). If it weren’t for other artists sharing their trade, I’d be nowhere. My favorite [...]

By: Ray Frenden

Ray Frenden — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:00:22 +0000

Thanks, Alan, Dom, and Nuno.

I’m off to a so-so start this year. Still struggling with the same problems mentioned above, but I feel good about one thing: I’m practicing and doing my best to get better. If I’m doing that, I can’t ask for too much more of myself.

By: Nuno

Nuno — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:31:12 +0000

I feel something similar you know… I always loved to draw, went to a art school and then a design school… and this is when I gradually stopped drawing. And every time I tried to draw again, I just abandoned the illustrations before finishing them just because I wasn’t 100% happy about them, I had lost my sense of anatomy and other basic stuff like color. Tthis made my frustration grow as I was having fun while drawing but not finishing any of the illustrations. At this point I’m trying to draw again, but this time, I’m making an extra effort to finish what I start, and the truth is that I feel some evolution as I draw.

Thing is, when you go online you see a bunch of talented people, and you just feel small, but what the heck! We should not get frustrated by others work, but inspired, and thanks to you and other illustrators influence I managed to get some strength and just… draw. Better than some worst than many but fuck that. :)

thanks for the inspiration, and sorry about the long comment.

By: Dom Blas

Dom Blas — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:54:31 +0000

Ray, good stuff, man. Really good stuff. It gives hope to someone like me who went from drawing everyday as a kid to not drawing at all as an adult (stupid computers). I started using Manga Studio because of your work. I don’t draw everyday anymore, but observing your process and evolution makes me want to get back into that habit. Thanks for the inspiration!

By: alanbernard

alanbernard — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:24:24 +0000

Your constant progress and it’s continuity is truly inspiring. It gives me hope for myself. Every time I get a little lazy and don’t feel like practicing I visit your site and next thing you know, Manga Studio is fired up and ready. :)

Great post man.

By: Bree (aka. Pants)

Bree (aka. Pants) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:58:43 +0000

Ray, thank you for writing this blog post.
I used to be the kind of kid (and teenager) who never put down a pen or a brush, was always hunched over a sketch pad or easel, and after fine arts and design degrees I worked my way into a career as a print designer.
Somewhere in the last 5 years, I lost the drive to draw… I became so used to following instructions and making the client happy (usually with sensible, clean corporate design) that when the end of each day rolled around, I didn’t have anything more to give to create something I was interested in.
Without sounding like one of those ‘oh this is the tale of my life blah blah’ Internet frequenters, I was made redundant on New Year’s Eve, and now have a lot of free time to evaluate where I want to be. I’ve started to look at my old scribbles, half-baked projects and the like with fresh eyes. I’m inspired again.
Basically, it’s a lesson in never taking anything for granted and the importance of taking stock of your own situation every once in a while. Like you, my confidence in putting my work out there or even working on my own stuff for ME totally took a back seat… I’m hoping this new start is what I need to find direction again.

Anyway, wanted to thank you for sharing your illustrative journey. Have been following the change from digital to painterly style via Twitter and enjoying the updates.

Cheers,
Bree
(@_pants_)

By: Ray Frenden

Ray Frenden — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:28:05 +0000

Paul, I’m glad too.

Allan, you too!

Robert, those earlier days spent on the TCJ board definitely provided some inspiration. Sad to see that it’s largely gone. Thanks for the well wishes!

Beth, illustration is a career that’s largely become obviated. Eric, hits it on the head. You’ve really got to be top of the heap in order to get seen and get work. Maintaining a variety of online presences helps, but that can almost be more work than the illustrating, hah!

Here’s to hoping 2010 is better for everybody.

By: Eric Bruce

Eric Bruce — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:51:01 +0000

Earlier this year I put your web site in my bookmarks. I’ve returned to it many times. I am learning too. A little more every day. I logged on today to review something you wrote about drawing. I have done a lot of computer art but not with a tablet. I’m returning to the traditional forms. I’ve been a freelancer for 20+ years. My work is getting better and better but I can’t even get through the door to show it to anyone. I think there are fewer opportunities for freelancers these days. I’m at a loss. Keep up the good work!

Eric

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:51:07 +0000

Thanks for sharing, your progress is pretty inspiring! As someone who has formal art school training, I can say it is absolutely not necessary. Any person spending all day, every day, drawing for four years is going to improve by leaps and bounds. You are absolute proof all it takes is dedication, and a willingness to understand what you don’t know and adjust your personal education accordingly. (Talent also helps tremendously haha.)

I ended up taking a more stable job in the commercial art world after graduation, and I’m hoping that with some dedication I can change careers back to my original interest and love, illustration. So thanks for the insight!

By: Robert Cook

Robert Cook — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:37:56 +0000

Ray, when I first learned from one of your posts on TCJ.com that you had only been drawing (at that time) about three years, I was flabbergasted. Your work had an assurance and bravado that seemed born of years of dedicated work at your craft. I understand what you’re saying here, and it is indicative of your own seriousness of purpose: you look at your work at see its faults; amateurs look at their own work and see only brilliance.

There are many artists who have never had formal art education–R.Crumb, for one–but the only real development comes from constant work, drawing, honest self-critiques, and more work. One can do this without being in the classroom, and many who get art degrees may as well not have bothered.

I enjoy your work and I applaud your constant striving. Keep at it!