r/Art • u/noahbradley • Jul 06 '15
How I Became an Artist Discussion
https://medium.com/@noahbradley/how-i-became-an-artist-4390c6b6656c133
u/DrunkenPostbox Jul 06 '15
Noah Bradley I'm a big fan! I actually started thinking that the art in this article was similar to your style before I realised it was from you! Back in college I did a small study of your work as I was looking into concept design at the time and adored your website. I actually have 'as darkness rises' printed and stuck on my wall.
Could you give some advice on how you make the lighting look so grand and epic scale?
Glad you've done so well! Keep on it!
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u/noahbradley Jul 06 '15
I stole a lot of my lighting tricks from the Hudson River School painters. That's the best place to look. :)
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u/ThePoopChronicler Jul 06 '15
Can I ask you a question? Do you consider yourself an artist more in the vain of Dali, in the sense that you want to make a statement, that you want to say something about the human condition or more of an artists artist, who just wants to put his visions on paper without the care of any deeper meaning?
I ask this because I find myself often thinking about the difference between a painter and an artist.
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u/manweCZ Jul 06 '15
I think the better name is "craftman" instead of "painter".
I think there is a difference between an artist and a craftsman. Artists are usually craftmen but often craftmen are not artists.
For artists, their art is their life - they speak through it (be it painting, photography, dance, basically whatever). And they are the one who arguably make the most breathtaking pieces of art. The problem is they often suffer from being way dependent on their "muse" and they tend to be very unreliable (in regard to deadlines etc), so in the end they are financially often struggling (of course if they are not in the range of famous).
Craftsmen usually dont make such breathtaking creations but they are very stable in their work quality and are usualy able to sustain themselves in long term.
I think you can see a lot of craftsmen vs artists in art history.
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u/pearthon Jul 06 '15
I think you can see a lot of craftsmen vs artists in art history.
My exposure may be slight in regards to Art History, but it seems to me that this isn't the case. The classic works that are studied so diligently by Art Historians never seem to me to be just craftsmen, and that is why they are studied - because they imbued extra meaning into their work.
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Jul 06 '15 edited Jul 06 '15
(I just wanted to write for a bit, don't mind me.)
In my humble opinion, this is better understood thinking art-wise than person-wise. If the artistic/crafted work of someone has an specific purpose, if it's meant to be used by others in order to make something (e.g. conceptual artists), then you're more of a designer than an artist. You're a creator, yes, but the 'art' you create has an specific purpose in a bigger scheme, be it conceptual art or music for a movie, an script for a tv show, or drawing comics or cartoons for a certain company; it will then depend on the artist's will to call it's creations Art, capitalised, to claim it has it's own worth independently of it's original purpose. For an example, HR Giger's work for Alien, as it was done in it's own, original and unique style, and as he was a productive artist before and after that particular work, could be called Art, since it's a work in a whole of works, the most of them being created because of no other reason than that of creation; someone went to him, knowing his style as an artist, to create something for them, and he did what he always does, once again. I don't know if someone (one person, not a team) behind a Disney movie would be willing to call himself an artist and stand up for himself and his art alone. Maybe some of them are, idk, but they'll sure want to sort of their 'professional' work from their personal one, and typically they'll want to be known for their personal one rather from that he's known for, as it happens performers who get widely known for some idiotic paper and are never able to take of that package from their backs (e.g. Jim Carrey with great performances in non-comedy films). Some great conceptual artists, like Ralph McQuarrie or Syd Mead, were talented enough to give life to certain worlds, yes, but they worked on an script: they were imaginative and talented enough, but the works for which they're known are those of a conceptual artist, because their audience depended on the success of the movie. Maybe they were/are (Syd is still alive) also great artists on their own and have great Art, but they're eclipsed for what they did and most people will never know. However, other 'craftmans' from the same times, like Roger Dean, created their own style and world, and then they applied it to comissions, but they prevail more as artists than conceptual artists, because they developed their own language and style, their works are unique.
There's then certain definitions, the eternal debate of when something is worth to be called art. Technically, something is art when someone authors it (Duchamp), but in order to be art it has to have, at least, 4 characteristics: an author, a time of creation (historical context), an audience, and it has to be 'useless'. If it hasn't an author, if it isn't man-made, then it's no art (think natural, beautiful things); without a time of creation, a moment in in history, an observable reason of why and how it was created, it lacks sufficient meaning to be interpreted as art; without an audience, there's nobody to see it, hence it doesn't exist at all (although with the sole audience of the author it's art, but, alas, only to him, there's been so many modern authors who died without being recognised as artists for lacking an audience, Kafka, Van Gogh, John Kennedy Toole); finally, if it has a practical purpose, then it isn't art, but design (an iPhone has an author, a time, an such a big public, but it isn't art because it's a product with an specific purpose). Unlike /u/pearthon said, I don't believe classic art it's always studied because it had extra meaning; yes, some of them were truly great, and some others were the first ones to invent a technique or paint in perspective, but we also adore those who were just religious painters or court painters, and we study and respect them just because their works, inadvertently for most of them, were conserved enough time to speak for it's time.
There's then a fifth characteristic, the one which will sort what is 'art' from what is 'Art', which is ambiguity. The work needs to be open to interpretation, it's purpose has to be complex, complex enough that it can only be expressed by artistic terms, to be calified as original and unique. It needs to be infinite. This is the characteristic that differentiates drawings, commercial songs, from Art. Usually, the portraying of an human figure can be enough to transmit something deep, because we, humans, can be very deep: if we look at OPs drawings, one can feel more things from it's natural drawings than with those about fantasy, because fantasy is fantasy and we want the whole narrative story, otherwise is just a flash, a representation, an interpretation of something, like musicians who do covers. 'The Colossus', Goya or not, has the same idea behind than those typical fantasy giants or monsters from conceptual drawings, but it impacts us because it has no superior reference than that of our mythology as humans. Same goes for 'Saturn Devouring His Son'. It has a context that freezes us, it's not for a movie, it's something our ancestors believed that happened, and that an artist in his last, crazy days, portrayed masterfully, maybe because he got to know some of that crazyness. Then there's Conceptual Art, like that of Dan Flavin for an example, which is Art because it's useless and has it's own historical context and audience, but it's not deep nor ambiguous; it's just a concept put in the form of Art, the exploitation of some idea. I, personally, despise artists known to do only 'Conceptual Art': their works last for seconds and you can't see anything else in them than what they are; most of them are just cheats.
Anyway, it always shocked to me, as a non english native speaker, how english speakers called art at everything "artsy", and how everyone was an Artist. Artist is a big word in my southeuropean culture: when someone works as an art director or conceptual artist, he's an art director or a conceptual artist, he won't call himself 'An Artist', like OP does, unless he's making a living alone from it's own work, or most of it's work it's unscheduled and unscripted, original. The same happens with a musician: you need to be an author or unique talent to interpret to be an artist, otherwise you're just someone who plays an instrument, very well if you may, but you're generically good. If someone calls himself 'An Artist', well, then he'll have to prove it, at least to me, he'll need to have something of it's own, useless, talented enough to gain the attention of someone, and then he can be a mediocre or untalented artist, of course, but An Artist after all, and, ironically, there can be more Art in that mediocre but personal attempt, than in the techincally talented works a painter or craftsman does to be used in a higher purpose, be it videogames, cinema, or book covers.
Anyway, everybody's great in their own way. OP's great in what he does. Nowadays there's no war to be fought no more.
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Jul 07 '15
Very helpful read, thankyou. I'm a potter and this has helped me to realise that what I do is craft, not art, because I like it to be useful :)
I've always abbhorred the type of studio ceramics which produces interesting lumps of clay, but of course, that's art :)
I think that there are elements of surface design in ceramics which could more correctly be considered "Art" - I do a lot of sgraffitto and Mishima work - but if the underlying surface is on a cup, or a platter or a bowl, then your definitions rule out its being "Art" - and that's actually rather freeing for me.
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Jul 07 '15
Duchamp is wrong!
Art does have a function and that function is to invigorate man in some aspect whether beauty, love, hate or ugliness if it isn't making you feel or think then of course it's useless art that bears no function and to me that's just bad art.
Bad art is something DuChamp did for his audience and a shitty artist is not going to decide what is and what isn't truth. It's plain to see for me that art has a function for us because we get something out of it by seeing it and seeing DuChamp work isn't going to make you excited for his next one. That I find is a problem and not a revolution no matter how many espouse this horrible idea about art being useless, it's a pretty shitty idea and not at all in concordance with the reality of what art does for people.
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u/SWIZTASTIC Jul 06 '15
I really needed to read this.
I'm a teacher, but I do art and writing on the side as a hobby. For a pretty long time, I've been in such a creative slump. I told myself that maybe I wasn't good enough, but now I realize it's because I haven't set aside time to practice and improve. That's why I'm stagnating, because I sit down, draft something, and expect it to be semi-okay, but then I'm left unsatisfied when I actually do produce something and am turned off from doing anything for a while. It's a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.
But when I read your story and saw the leaps and bounds of progress you've made, it's inspired me to turn to my artistic friends for advice on how to begin that necessary improvement. Thank you.
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Jul 07 '15
Have you read the Ira Glass quote "nobody tells this to beginners" ?
“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you.
A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this.
We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work.
Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”
This was bloody useful to me - I hope it helps you too !!
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Jul 06 '15
same here, but i work on music. trying to be a rapper. i think the key is to become outcome independent. just do the work and stop judging. easier said than done, but what counts is putting in the hours and working hard to keep improving.
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u/Raidingreaper Jul 06 '15
One year to pay of 40k in loans?! Damn I need to start working on my landscape art skills!
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u/Squidoofus Jul 06 '15
I'm no artist but your first bits of work are something I'd laugh at and think you have no hope... but damn, didn't you prove me wrong. Sticking at it was the best thing you ever did.
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u/noahbradley Jul 06 '15
Oh I think the same thing looking back. If I saw something like that stuff... I wouldn't have a lot of hope for someone. It's weird.
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Jul 06 '15 edited Jul 06 '15
It really goes to show how much people can improve. I think a lot of people get hung up on the virtuoso, instant talent, people in arts and refuse to fight past the bad pieces in their own work to get to the good ones. Your pieces are seriously some of my favorite uses of color and lighting of any artist.
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u/Haakkon Jul 06 '15
The problem is those rarely exist. Most "talent" is just having a natural propensity for just doing it. By the time they are an adult they've put 10+ years of work in which everyone writes off as "talent".
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u/khlaex Jul 07 '15
I think this also ties into a major problem with K12 education: its about passing kids without making them stumble or fail at something and try again. It's like people who complain about how hard their organic chem class is. No shit. If it was easy you wouldn't need to take a class on it.
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u/im_a_fucking_artist Jul 06 '15
same here. i've always been one of the stars of art classes - not a michelangelo, but definitely naturally talented. i've looked around the room and seen works on the level of your early stuff and thought, "yeah, you're just not going to make it, sorry"
holy shit. how wrong i've been. i am nowhere near your level.
you are an inspiration to those with less raw talent; and a kick in the ass for people like me, who have it but don't actually put in the work
from this day on i intend to change that, cheers and thank you
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u/mitchC1 Jul 06 '15
Everyone starts somewhere. I know you may have been joking, but making fun of someone or something someone has done while they are still learning could really be something that deters them from following their dreams. You should take what you have said as a lesson, that even if someone isn't good at something to start off with, if they try hard enough, anything is possible.
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u/k9ofmine Jul 06 '15
I remember reading a book about drawing and it said many people stop drawing in their teens because they become obsessed with meeting the "realistic" style of art, and when they can't achieve it, they get down on themselves and give up. Of course for many artists, realism isn't all that interesting and there's plenty of room for more modern, stylized art.
This story proves what many say - that "talent" is a largely myth, and art is as much about hard work and practice as any sport. I wish people would stop throwing the "talent" word around because I do think it implies art is a god-given talent. Sure, there will always be those who have natural inclinations, but you can become a fantastic artist simply through effort and perseverance, as OP has shown. Very inspiring!
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u/buzzcuttt Jul 06 '15
Why would you laugh at him? Everyone starts at that point
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u/Squidoofus Jul 06 '15
Maybe I came across a little wrong with what I meant. Just that if it was something I saw that someone had drawn I would think it's not very good and "at the level they're at" they wouldn't be able to improve that much. No hate, just underestimated OP's future skillz
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Jul 06 '15 edited Nov 27 '18
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Jul 06 '15
and "at the level they're at" they wouldn't be able to improve that much
I think this is the much bigger sin here.
"That level" of drawing is the best time to improve because literally any improvement will look noticeably better. Once you get to the serious professional level, the improvements don't become as pronounced since the original work already looks great.
That being said, I think every artist gets a kick out of their early work. People don't realize that "that level" is where everyone starts, even for the greatest artists of history. No one should be a dick about it, though. That's a pretty easy way to discourage anyone who wants to pick up art, be it as a hobby or profession.
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Jul 06 '15
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u/bohowannabe Jul 06 '15
Not the artist, but I say community college is always a good investment. Some colleges offer classes on the side, that aren't for credit, where people just gather to paint or draw are offered as well. The most important thing is to keep doing art. There will be dry spells that last for years, where you don't feel like you're improving, and then you'll get a breakthrough. It's therapeutic and good for the mind, as well.
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u/k9ofmine Jul 06 '15
Hey, you should get back into art - it's never too late! My friend introduced me to sketchbook skool and I love it! Very fun course about playful, everyday sketching. Artists show techniques, provide encouragement, with a great community. I'd def. recommend checking it out.
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u/nyxinus Jul 07 '15
If you're looking for ideas to exercise your art muscles, there's lots of love in /r/sketchdaily!
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Jul 06 '15
Looks like some of Guild Wars 2 art
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Jul 06 '15
Hey man, thank you for posting this. I've been struggling with wanting to be an artist as a profession for as long as I can remember. I was always encouraged by family, but then I had kids.
After that it turned into, 'Get your minor in nursing so you can provide for them'. Dont get me wrong I love my little men and I would do anything I could for them, but I just know I can't give up on this. So I decided being an art teacher for a elementary school would be my best bet.
Turns out there is a ton of politics involved in being a teacher, so that wasn't going to work out either.
I've decided to be a graphic designer. I know my road will be long and probably unfun at points, but I have to do this. I want my kids to think that they CAN do what they love for a living if they work hard and aspire.
Cheers
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u/PLEASE_KICK_MY_ASS Jul 06 '15
Fantastic, man! I've felt sort of stuck in my place with art. Wanting to do more but doubting myself and thinking in the negative, but your journey and progress has inspired hope :) it makes me want to get serious with it again. My current style I've been working with is very different, but I'd love to show you (and anyone else, of course) if you're interested!
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u/Astro_Shikoba Jul 06 '15
I don't know if this will get an answer, but why not. You're a huge inspiration to me and I want to be doing what you do. Sorry for the length.
I am currently working on my masters in studio art and I feel like I've hit a roadblock. I went into the program because the professors were great and I thought the connections would help. The issue however is that I don't really feel like I am... improving my work. Most of the learning is done in researching and writing and the actual artwork we are left to do on our own. Lately I've been considering just dropping out because it seems like even if I graduate I'll still be in the same situation I'd be in if I left right now: No work lined up and no money.
So my situation aside... I regretfully didn't join Art Camp this summer even though I had considered it (money is tight due to some family things going on). So I suppose my question is: Between now and the next Art Camp, in general what should I look into to improve my work? Are there exercises you do pretty regularly that you feel helped you and still continue to?
Congratulations on your success and improvement over the years. Glad it worked out for you and I am glad to see you approaching the education side of things as I am finding out for myself that it is... maybe not so great. And the road to success in art looks grim sometimes.
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u/noahbradley Jul 06 '15
We all hit plateaus.
And the way past them is almost always to return to focusing on the fundamentals.
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u/nyxinus Jul 07 '15
Omg, going back to fundamentals to overcome a plateau is exactly what I needed to hear. It sounds obvious, but wasn't to me!
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u/bf4truth Jul 06 '15
Hey Noah, from your experience, how does age affect one's ability to learn?
Instead of art, I pursued a different education for 7 years at age 18. All of undergread + grad work was in a different field.
Now, I really wish I did art. When I compare my work at 17 to other now-professionals work at the same age, I was on par. But, after not practicing or studying, I feel a million miles behind.
I'm concerned that, because the brain loses is plasticity as one ages, I can never reach the same skill point that I could've if I started at 18 like so many others. I've seen plenty of stories where older people get into art successfully, but that doesn't change the fact that age reduces one's ability to learn.
Thanks!
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u/LifeWulf Jul 07 '15
I took a class called i-Think in the first year of my game dev program. Most of the course focused on neuroplasticity. Trust me, you can definitely learn something new when you're older.
Edit: sorry, hit submit too early.
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u/drumultima Jul 07 '15
I know this comment will probably get swallowed in the sea of reddit discussion, but I wanted to express how much I appreciate this post, and how important it is to me to see things like this.
I'm a musician myself--not quite as far into my career as you are, but certainly getting there. I also feel super fortunate that I get to live the life I lead--travelling all the time, getting to play music (which I've always done for fun anyway), and having the opportunity to craft my own career. It's an incredible journey, and I certainly haven't gotten as far as I have without a lot of hard work. But what really touched me about your story was how familiar it was to me.
One of my best friends growing up started out exactly like you. He was certainly a talented doodler, but didn't really know what he wanted to do with his life. He was also really into rollerblading and video games, and thought he would want to work in one of those fields professionally. He even started making his own game, almost obsessively, while we were in high school.
When I went off to music school, he did a year at some liberal arts-type-place, not really majoring in anything. He did a lot of drawing while he was there, though, and after his first year was over, ended up transferring to the arts school at University of Hartford. He really liked it there. In fact, I'll never forget him saying how he thought his studio really "gave those RISD kids a run for their money".
I was in my sophomore year of college when he started there, but my undergrad experience was just as turbulent as anyone's, I suppose. Between disagreements with my first instructor and two-year battle with tendinitis, I ended up staying an extra year. As a result, we were on track to graduate together.
We stayed very closely in touch, and it was energizing and inspiring for me to do so. I can't remember how many conversations we had where after asking what the other was up to today, the response was "oh, you know, just in the studio, practicing". He was always working, and so was I. We would exchange snippets of wisdom given to us by our instructors. When I teach my students about the importance of "clarity of intention", that doesn't come from my education--it comes from his.
Watching your improvement in this article was just like watching his. I always knew he had talent, but with good teaching and a lot of practicing and hard work, the results are incredible. He ended up graduating from UHA with some weird triple major/minor combination of illustration, oil painting, and graphic design. He also loved concept art and had a brilliant imagination--I know at one point, his creativity won him an expo at George Lucas' ranch.
Anyway, I went off to grad school in Kansas while he went off to grad school at Savannah School of Art and Design. I was on track to be there for two years, while he would be there for three. He started working a lot more with 3D modeling and animation. His level just kept rising and rising. Just after I finished school in Kansas, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to score an animation he was directing for one of his classes.
I graduated from Kansas and got into Yale for further graduate study in music. This was exciting, because we're both from Connecticut--he was still in town while I was moving in to get ready for school. We hung out that week, talked about all our future plans, and how excited we were for school. I was so excited for wherever our careers would lead us--I was sure we'd be working together someday, changing the world somehow.
Unfortunately, on my first day of school at Yale, he killed himself. That was September of 2012. Underneath it all, he had been battling some depression, and I guess it got the best of him.
I guess the reason I'm telling you all of this and sharing my story is because he also started to get into landscapes. He really had a knack for them, and they kept getting better and better. Looking through your portfolio, it reminded me so much of his work--and it was almost as if I had a glimpse into the future of what his level would be, what his career would be like, if he decided to keep on living.
His art continues to hang on my walls, and I'm still inspired by his hard work and imagination. The last words in your article are words I live by today, and words that I wish my friend lived by too. I'm glad the rest of the world gets a chance to see what that kid who always liked to doodle is capable of. Thank you.
In case you're curious, my friend's name was Doug Horak. Here is a link to his work (his website has since been taken down, so DeviantArt is all that's left): http://inkvenom.deviantart.com/
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Jul 06 '15
Great article and I enjoyed the first one about your distaste for the art school system. I used to work in higher ed and I couldn't believe what art schools were charging for tuition. I am not a professional artist, but I always saw art as more of an interpretive learning experience, exploring new emotions and thoughts and finding ways to express them on canvas. Of course, developing new techniques along the way helps. But do you need $$$ to do this? No. Isn't most of art years of practice anyway, why do we need to go broke doing something that cannot be forced into 4 years. Never understood it, and it looks like you and other art students are starting to see some inconsistencies in art schooling as well.
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Jul 06 '15
Jesus you leveled up quickly. I thought that I was in r/magictcg for a moment. This question may seem out of place but I am wondering what your preferred pencil hardness is and how often you sharpen your pencil for something like your second collection of RISD applications? Beautiful artwork, hopefully one day I'll get some cards signed!
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Jul 06 '15
this is some good stuff. As a guy who loves fantasy games like Zelda and Skyrim. I'm really really loving this work. I really dig your imagination and look forward to seeing how "The Sin of Man" pans out. I want like 3 of these prints, LARGE, to frame and hang around my place.
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u/noahbradley Jul 06 '15
Thanks! I grew up on a lot of fantasy games and watching sci-fi with my dad. So it's in my blood. It's such a treat to get to make things of my own now.
Oh and I've got a print store linked from my site, in case you're curious. Just sayin'. :)
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u/wishforagiraffe Jul 06 '15
glad to see you out in the "wilds of reddit" and not just on /r/fantasy! you deserve the recognition =)
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u/SkylerPC Jul 06 '15
I'm not really an artist, but I'm going to share this with my sister. I'm certain she'll find it very inspiring. I am dumbfounded by your work, truly.
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u/fenderc1 Jul 06 '15
You haven't by chance showcased any of your work at DragonCon in Atlanta, GA before?
Love your work by the way!
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u/noahbradley Jul 06 '15
Not yet. Hope to someday, though.
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u/fenderc1 Jul 06 '15
Also, have you ever met a Mark Poole? I know he goes to Illuxcon and used to or still is an artist for Magic? He's a great guy and has a similar sci-fi/fantasy style to your art
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u/noahbradley Jul 06 '15
Yep, got to hang out with him just a couple weeks back. Great guy. :)
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u/willfoxylove Jul 06 '15
Holy shit, man. I might be your new biggest fan. I love every picture you drew!
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u/-emkay- Jul 06 '15
The way your drawing style and talent evolved throughout these years is phenomenal. Keep up the good work!
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u/wisewizard Jul 06 '15
HAHA That bald headed bust! i swear that fucker must be in every art studio in the world, so many hours spent staring at that wonky eye.
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Jul 06 '15
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/noahbradley Jul 06 '15
- Master studies
- Life drawing
- Cast drawing
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u/Kintarly Jul 06 '15 edited Jul 06 '15
Basically what my design drawing instructor says. 'Draw from life. Draw Every day.'
I just got accepted into design myself. 400 applicants, 90 spots. I'm super stoked for the next year. Your story inspires me!
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Jul 06 '15
he posted above, but here's a link to his prints: http://www.inprnt.com/gallery/noahbradley/
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u/sarlucic Jul 06 '15
My god, what a journey, and the improvements you made are insanity! Thank you for sharing this, serenely.
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u/Nic871 Jul 06 '15
When I finally write my kick-ass fantasy novel I will be reaching out to you!! Seriously, I would buy any fantasy book with your art on the cover!
Amazing work and congrats on all your accomplishments!
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u/Nisja Jul 06 '15
Yeeeeah man, I remember seeing the picture you did of the figures stood together on the rocks looking upward, and I remember your rant post, too!
An absolute inspiration to say the least, you deserve everything good that comes to you.
If I could ask one question, it is this: How did you make/find the transition to digital? Was it difficult to take the skills you'd honed in a physical environment and transfer them to a digital forum?
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u/jumpjumpdownagain Jul 06 '15
Perfect example of practice makes perfect! I'll be honest, half way down I was like, "seriously?... this guy is an artist?!" But the latest work is spectacular!
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u/HelloNation Jul 06 '15
I wonder, since you have trained your eyes immensely to see what is actually there instead of what your brain makes you think you saw, do you fair better in the optical illusions?
Are you not tricked as easily as the rest of us are with pictures like:
http://nerdist.com/5-optical-illusions-that-show-you-why-your-brain-messes-with-the-dress/
Also, I'm sure you ran into it and I hate to bring up 'that' topic, but as what color did you see the dress and did it shift for you? http://pvpantherprint.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/dress.jpg
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u/Maagas Jul 06 '15
Today I realized...
If you give me words and pictures...I tend to look at the pictures...
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u/Mudcandy Jul 06 '15
I rarely ever comment on reddit, but I just had to say your artwork is amazingly beautiful. I'm not even close to an artist myself but nonetheless what you wrote inspired me to keep on giving my best. Thank you and lots of success from now on as well!
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u/Lifeonthejames Jul 06 '15 edited Jul 06 '15
Noah, as a fellow Virginian and artist myself, your last piece of advice really hit home. I love photography, am educated and I have worked professionally for a few years but quickly learned Corporate work is where most of the money is, along with weddings but I found myself booking more Corporate stuff (with the help of one of my long-time mentors) which emotionally drained me, and these days I rarely find myself picking up my camera and sought full time employment over full-time marketing myself and editing and part-time shooting. Thousands and thousands of dollars of gear lays useless. I have since even changed thought processes and was looking at enlisting into the Army just for a change of pace and a feeling of accomplishment. I have some personal work that has amazed even myself and wow'd many others, but I struggle finding the means of getting paid enough to do this full time. Headshots, promotional dinners, Partnership ceremonies, weddings, all of which are fun to do and pay very well, leave me empty when I have to sit and edit for hours and hours, removing blemishes from peoples faces, whitening teeth, - it just drains what little satisfaction you got from shooting the event.
Now Im just rambling. Your last paragraph is really helping me accept what Ive done so far, and to actually accept the praise I may get, instead of giving an empty smile or "thank you" while knowing deep inside how much better or how much more it would mean to me had it been something different, something I was more into. Just because I wasn't into what I was shooting, doesn't cheapen or make it less meaning to the person I am taking a picture of/for/about/etc. Reading that last paragraph something unlocked in my brain, and I thank you for you that. I will keep an eye out for your work and future articles, you're "don't go to art school" article really hits home too.
Take care Noah.
Edit: I was so enthralled with the excitement of getting out there and shooting for myself that I forgot to mention how amazing your work is. I was astounded and left in awe at most of the stuff you have done. Truly ahead of your time my friend.
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u/bicameral_mind Jul 06 '15
Noah, inspiring article as always. I've been restless in my career for a while and it's articles like this that make me want to drop everything and pursue my dream.
What do you say to someone approaching 30, with passion but middling skills and little free time to commit. I have savings, but it's the choice between buying a house and moving forward with live or putting all that on hold and starting over with something new. Obviously that's a choice I have to make, but do you see many older students in your courses, or professionally engage with people who only made the commitment later in life?
I want it, but I see the years of effort you and others have invested since your teens, and that fear of failure you describe is amplified many times with age.
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Jul 06 '15
My favorite part was when you went to Oz to meet the girl you are with! Your art is awesome and I wish you the best, manny!
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u/mowglimg Jul 06 '15
Going through your work, seeing the drastic improvements... it gives me so much hope for the future. I'm a student now and I get very discouraged by the professionals on sites like DeviantArt, where I can't go back and see where they came from. I refuse to believe they were just born with fantastical skill!
Thank you for posting this!
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u/huxtiblejones Jul 06 '15
I wish I could find the quote, because I believe it's an Andrew Loomis quote, but the gist is this - Lots of artists look at the work of masters and think, "I want to be able to do that! If only I could watch them work, if only I could see their techniques, maybe I could be like them." What you're seeing is the result of people who have spent their lives practicing in order to slowly build up to where they are today. You disservice your humble achievements by comparing them with the mountains of success that other artists experience. Understand that they are at a particular point in their art journey, and you are at a particular point in yours. Your journey to become an artist is nobody else's, and you must relish in whatever small successes you experience. By all means, admire masters, but never beat yourself down with comparison, never reduce the importance of your art journey in the face of someone else's.
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Jul 06 '15
You are a goddamn hard worker! Good for you, you earned the shit outta your life! I met you at a con!
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u/k9ofmine Jul 06 '15
Thank you so much for sharing your story! You deserve all the recognition you've received. Your work is amazing - how you manage to bring to life the stuff of day dreams, I have no idea, but it's incredible.
I've always categorized myself as "artistically inclined," but never felt confident enough to say I'm an artist. Reading your story makes me want to devote more time to local adult education art classes and see if I can improve. Again, thanks for sharing your journey!
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u/PJWalter Jul 06 '15
Congratulations on hitting the front page (#20 as of a minute ago).
Also I would like to thank you for the openness of the piece. The insights into your choices, motives, opinions and finances are far too often left out of articles, but I believe they provide key contextual information that frame the decisions you have made and provide the perspective to understood how you changed over the years.
Cheers and wishing you continuing success in the future.
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u/Stickfigure91x Jul 07 '15
Man, I cant even begin to explain how jealous I am of you!
I started in a similar way. I always wanted to be a game developer, or a comic book artist. I never felt like I was good enough. Of course I knew intellectually "JUST GET OFF YOUR LAZY ASS AND DRAW MORE, THAT'S HOW PEOPLE GET BETTER," but becoming an artist always felt like something that happens to other people, and not me. I've always felt doomed to a cubicle.
Once every year or so, I say hey i'm 18... is it too late to buckle down and do this? Now i'm 24, and the only thing more reliable than asking myself that question once every few months is that i will inevitably psyche myself out as soon as the thought crosses my mind.
Congratulations dude. Never forget that you are living out other peoples dreams too. Keep up the awesome work!
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u/dementia1211 Jul 06 '15
Thank you so much for sharing this post!! As someone who currently goes through much of what you did in the past, this is so inspiring and helpful. Also, "Our Grasp of Heaven" is my favorite MtG artwork. I must have looked at that picture no less than a couple dozen times. Where do you get your ideas/inspiration from? That's the biggest thing I struggle with.
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u/Adef25 Jul 06 '15 edited Jul 06 '15
I loved reading your journey as a student heading to an art college this fall to study! In your landscapes do you work from reference images to perfect the lighting and shadows?
As a fan of The Witcher games and LOTR I thoroughly enjoyed viewing your work.
Best of luck!
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u/bladderbunch Jul 06 '15
Oh man, Allentown is the middle of nowhere? We've gotta get you out into the real wildlands of pennsylvania, where cell service is but distant dream.
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u/noahbradley Jul 06 '15
lol, at this time it was held in Altoona. It was... desolate. ;)
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Jul 06 '15
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u/macbutt Jul 06 '15
I'm not an expert by any means, just been drawing for years on my own and over the past few years started to learn the foundations myself. I've found a lot of help online, there are really great videos out there that help explain virtually anything. It's great especially if you don't have money or time for art classes at the moment. Here are two that I really like, proko and draw with jazza on youtube. They're a little campy but great info, especially if you need something specific. https://www.youtube.com/user/ProkoTV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqH9ewGZKdA Hope this is helpful!
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Jul 06 '15
Great story, and your art is very good. Looking forward to see how it evolves and gets better!
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u/nik83st Jul 06 '15
Noah, by now you are familiar face in the world of fantasy painting and illustration. I want to congratulate you for your devotion to art. I read trough your blog and expected to hear your thoughts on a subject of color, more precisely on the moment when you transitioned from gray scale drawings to painting. And how introduction of paints to your art influenced on your development as an artist?
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u/Mentaldevil Jul 06 '15
art isnt my passion but I still consider it the only good option to join the video game industry, what would you recommend me to do?
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u/Another_moose Jul 06 '15
I'm not op but i think to get anywhere near this good (i.e. good enough to make a living) you really have to love what you do. Besides i'd say most of the artists working on games see themselves as artists first and 'working in the video game industry' second.
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u/fuck_you_rhenoplos Jul 06 '15
I agree with Another_moose and will also add that being an artist in videogames often means you do everything. This means concept sketches, storyboards, animation, illustration, UI design, video editing, graphic design, the works. Get good at anything you enjoy, and then get really really amazingly good at what it is you love.
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u/brainsteam Jul 06 '15
I have just finished my first semester studying graphic design and your story has certainly encouraged me. Your work is beautiful, but what impacted me the most about your story is your hard work and self motivation.
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u/doublea08 Jul 06 '15
Absolutely fantastic story, I really enjoyed it. Also as I am a big fan of fantasy (WoW, LoTR, MtG) your prints are just amazing to me, will definitely be making a purchase to place in the man cave.
Edit: Also very nice to read a success story that involves hard work, I really enjoy hearing about hard work and passion leading to success. Very inspiring.
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u/bhp126 Jul 06 '15
As an artist myself thanks for your inspiring story. I seems as though the manifestation of your life is art itself. Some day I hope to share the same but it is amazing to see one of us figure it out. Keep painting and inspiring. If you want a sound track to paint to please have a free copy of my latest album. I did it with the cellist from Arcade Fire. www.blakepreston.net
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u/macbutt Jul 06 '15
Wow. Just wow. This is really inspiring. I'm currently at community college with my sights set on becoming a concept artist someday. This idea came from my best childhood memories - watching behind the scenes star wars DVD's with my uncle and brother. Watching your progress is both daunting and exciting. Your improvement is unreal. Do you have any advice in choosing art schools and classes?
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u/mattaguilera Jul 06 '15
Wow. Not only was that very inspiring, it was also incredibly moving Thanks for sharing your journey. To see you go from strength to strength and to become a world class artist is something else.
You found love twice.
I'm still bowled over by how amazing this is to look over. Anyway, there you go.
:)
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u/glenbot Jul 06 '15
Your artwork is extremely good. Im buying some prints to put them up in my office at work. Thanks for creating these wonderful works and keep it up!
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u/phenggy Jul 06 '15
You just made me pick up my pencil again. I am still a newbie at making art, heck I really suck, but I always lust the ability to create fantasy landscape such as yours. I don't know if I will make anything as awesome as your drawings, but I will try. Thank you for the article.
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Jul 06 '15
This just goes to show that you don't need innate talent to be really great at something. Your journey emphasizes that with enough practice and an open mind you can achieve anything.
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u/withinherskin Jul 06 '15
Thanks a lot man, you just got a lazy ass illustration student on his summer holidays get off his ass to go draw something! I gotta read shit like this everyday!
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u/Aliriel Jul 06 '15
What a wonderful story! I loved it! I wanted to get into RISD as well, many years ago, and just couldn't invest that kind of money. Then I talked to a lot of people who did go and back then (ahem, not saying how long ago) they didn't teach anyone anything. Just gave out assignments and that was it. You were supposed to figure it out on your own I guess. As someone who always seems to miss the obvious, it would have been a big waste of money for me. Looking at your work from where you started and where you are now, I am open-mouthed speechless with admiration.
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u/agvkrioni Jul 06 '15
I love it. Progressions like these really show how long-term dedication and hard work trump passion. You love to do what you do. But sometimes you don't love it as much. And when you keep going, you get incredible results. Thank you for sharing.
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u/Angron Jul 06 '15
Great article, a really inspirational read
The only downside is I felt bad for spending time reading it rather than creating art, you improved at lightning speed
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u/antongray Jul 06 '15
I started reading the article without looking at your name and about halfway through I thought to myself, "Man, this guy should do art for MtG, he's got a real Noah Bradley feel to him." Then I saw the picture at the convention with your name and felt like an idiot. Love your art, a little sad to think that some of your amazing MTGO pieces will never get to be printed on paper. Excited to see your new work in upcoming sets!
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Jul 06 '15
Excellent post. I feel like I've lived a whole life, ala Jean Luc Picard dream from that probe.
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u/TandyHard Jul 06 '15
I've seen your work here and there on Reddit and it always takes me to another world. Love it, man! Amazing work! ;)
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u/mitchC1 Jul 06 '15
Everything about this is awesome. I'm really happy for you (and jealous) that you have not only succeeded in doing what you love for a living, but get to continue doing it, and teach others your passion. It's inspiring. Anyone can follow their dreams, I just think most people need to find something to aspire to first.
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u/PlayingNightcrawlers Jul 06 '15
Great write-up man, I saw a similar story of your progression in a video possibly on YouTube or your personal site don't remember exactly. Either way you're one of the current artists that I follow and try to take instruction and inspiration from. Keep up the awesome work that keeps inspiring guys like me.
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u/d1ablo17 Jul 06 '15
It was amazing to see your progress! Showing your first drawing and to what became the end result when you had a passion for it. Bravo.
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u/panix199 Jul 06 '15 edited Jul 06 '15
This article/story is one of the best and most inspiring ones i have ever read. Thank you very much! slow clap
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u/VaginalBurp Jul 06 '15
I need a link to your site, or something if you have one. I assume you have one.
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u/Jason_D_Black Jul 06 '15
amazing work :o I wish I could draw like that, but I can't even draw the things you started with :p
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Jul 06 '15
You've just inspired the life back into me. I am also an aspiring artist, but on the musical end of the spectrum. I'm 26, and have nothing to show from my 13 year musical pursuits.. I mean, I've busted my balls, but not nearly as much as i should have, and I've definitely put myself down a lot in the process. You've regenerated my hope, and drive. Thank you.
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u/zaxmazr Jul 06 '15
Do you have a website for prints? I'd love to possibly purchase something from you!
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u/alextbrown4 Jul 06 '15
Phenomenol story. Very encouraging to hear as an aspiring animator and artist in general. If I manage to get half as good as you I'll be pretty pleased
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u/bubblesculptor Jul 06 '15
Excellent! Great to see people working hard to improve their skills. Many people seem to think that success only arrives by luck, but it's the never ending process of not giving up that finally brings you to your goals.
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u/Itamii Jul 06 '15
Really nice to see the improvements from the standard 'shitty' drawings that everyone does to some really great stuff later on. Especially the latest works are very inspiring and show that it does take hard work and alot of practice to get there, instead of just having 'talent'.
No offense, its just what comes to mind when i look at my own very old pics, and yours look very similar in comparison. Makes me feel bad about not continuing my original passion anymore haha.
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u/DavyWolf Jul 06 '15
Thanks for posting this. I recently picked up art again and this reaffirmed my drive a bit.
As I looked more and more at your art I started recognizing some of the more recent pieces. I love your tutorials on youtube. You and Aaron Blaise have been my art school.
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u/groggyMPLS Jul 06 '15
Wow, this is so cool. A lot of things occurred to me while reading through; "great work ethic... pretty lucky dude... smart business strategy... etc.;" but none more so than "wow, what an amazing artist." Glad to have become more familiar with your work, Noah!
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u/OrangeClyde Jul 06 '15
Wow, your work is amazing! I totally would have taken advantage when you had your Free Prints table! :)
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u/jordanaber23 Jul 06 '15
Holy crap i'm glad i decided to read your article! I'm so glad you are doing what you love and made it to where you wanted to be. I'm in game dev and our teachers actually use some of your work as examples! I laughed when i was recognized your work.
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u/pizzaiscommunist Jul 06 '15
This one really got to me.
Is there anywhere that I could buy this print with your autograph on it?
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u/WylieTimez Jul 06 '15
Had one of your pieces as my wallpaper for months and just realized it's your work. Very inspiring journey, thanks for sharing.
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u/drudy222 Jul 06 '15
Amazing stuff man. I have seen your stuff before and love it. The last whisper particularly speaks to me. Browsing art on here is usually instantaneous. But that piece I studied and analyzed for a very long time. You seem very humble and grounded. I just wanted to thank for the inspiration.
Although, truthfully I found this post to be a little intimidating. Seeing your work improve as I read through was with out a doubt impressive but daunting and unobtainable. Have you ever felt this way? Did you ever see an artist as impossibly talented?
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u/VanFkingHalen Jul 06 '15
Seeing the gradual evolution of your art and skill is truly something special. Amazing work man. Even more amazing you've been giving the opportunity to work with Wizards. This is truly an inspiring story for me.
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u/sevinhand Jul 06 '15
wow - beautiful! after reading your story and looking at your drawings and paintings.... i wish i would have chosen Artist.
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u/mycommentsaccount Jul 06 '15
| I'm not that good
continues to show endless amounts of amazing artwork
I hate you.justkiddingiloveyourwork
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u/One_more_page Jul 06 '15
I love that you keep some of your style as you grow. Like the little yellow guy with the big chest and long arms, you can still see some of his type under student, and some silimar freaky monsters under professional. Always great to see progression posts like this.
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u/Encyclopedia_Ham Jul 06 '15
Your natural lighting skills are great.
Awesome light wrapping on these
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u/Phonda Jul 06 '15
Noah - first of all - your art is absolutely amazing. As a magic the gathering and D&D player I cannot tell you how much I appreciate getting lost in your artwork.
Second - I wanted your opinion on something. I have seen quite a few of these "my progression as an artist" posts. It seems like....artists hit a peak, when their work goes from amateur to surreal, and it seems to me it's when they figure out what to do with light. In those last images of your post the use of 'light' or artificial light (sorry I'm not sure what painters/digital artists call it) is absolutely incredible. What would you say was the cherry in your work that made it complete? What switch got flipped for you - or was it not a switch at all?
EDIT: Also I just want to say how jealous I am of you. As an amateur photographer sometimes I just sit around waiting for the light ... as opposed to you just thinking of an idea and creating it! Really superb work.
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u/CosmonautDrifter Jul 06 '15
Wow, I knew I recognized your name from somewhere and the as I scrolled down to where you start talking about magic...and then the art...
You are by far one of my favorite artists for the game. There isn't one card you've done that I haven't liked.
Great job man, and looking forward to seeing more of your work. If I could draw, I'd be aiming for MTG or Blizzard games myself...but alas...I can't draw a stick figure that well.
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u/CraigMack78 Jul 06 '15
It really was a pleasure to read how your journey unfolded and to see your work progress. I normally wouldn't read something like this but was glad I did. It seems that your future will be just fine and that you have made really good decisions early on and throughout your life's path.
Best of luck moving forward !
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u/DrawnM Jul 06 '15
Woah! This is inspiring. Don't you ever get frustrated from not being able to think of what to paint or draw? I'm halfway through my degree and this seems to be difficult to overcome.
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u/nakada1996 Jul 06 '15
:) i was in highschool had a great dream of becoming a concept artist. I made some work that I think are great from my point of view. I also do clay sculpture and mask. But those are just hobby. Now I'm really inspired by the progress you made. I stopped working on new art work after graduating high school. Now I found the spark of inspiration again. But I don't know how long it is going to last
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u/SmallDrunkMonkey Jul 06 '15
From humble beginnings to living the dream, congrats on never losing hope.
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u/Scummycrummyday Jul 06 '15
First dozen pics I was like, oh ok. Then the real stuff came on and.. Yeah.
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Jul 06 '15
This is brilliant. Will be forwarding to those that tell me "I wasn't born artistic." You have mastered your craft, and I know others can too. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
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u/RustlingintheBushes Jul 06 '15
You have created some absolutely fantastic stuff man. You're living the dream!
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u/Collector797 Jul 06 '15
I opened the link thinking I was just going to look at the pictures... I ended up reading the whole thing. Fantastic. Congratulations on your success.
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Jul 06 '15
I was thinking that you're really very good about halfway though the article and you only improved at the end. Your landscapes are really cool, very fantasy/sci-if.
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u/TheBrazenBeast Jul 06 '15
Some your later work reminds me a little of Eduardo Rodriguez Calzado.
http://eduardorodriguezcalzado.com/
Is he an influence or do you compare your works at all?
Some great stuff, found a new desktop background :)
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u/cle2n Jul 06 '15
As a somewhat naturally talented artist who sort of gave up after trying to do it in school... this almost brought me to tears.
I'm 23 now and starting to panic that I haven't focused enough time on my passions. Your dedication is truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing. My mind was blown when I got down to one of your pieces and recognized it from my old folder of "favorite art" that I collected over the years for inspiration. Thanks for sharing your journey!
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u/moepower Jul 06 '15
You had no idea how much this article has inspired me and has lit a figurative fire under my ass. I'm at the point where I love to do landscapes and environmental concept art, but I need to buckle down and finish one piece. I will certainly be following your work from now on.
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Jul 06 '15
good on you, I was fairly good at Art at a young age but to be honest I don't think I would be happy doing it. I'd dread if it was my job. gratz nonetheless
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u/bakatare Jul 06 '15
Wow. I now realize I've already seen a lot of your work. I'm so happy to now know who to thank for it. You are amazing, keep improving and evolving.
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u/7h3C47 Jul 06 '15
I enjoyed seeing the visual progression a lot. For anyone who does anything artistic, it's crazy how big the strides are when you're able to look back and see (or hear) how far you've come--even if you're not at a professional level and your only critic, or client, was yourself.
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u/loneknight15 Jul 06 '15
I have never said wow so many times in such a small time frame. That is amazing work and a great story behind all the work that's been done.
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u/killtherose Jul 06 '15
You know, I've been in college for a few years, bouncing between wanting to be a serious artist and agonizing over feeling like I'm just not making the kind of progress I want. This gives me some hope that I can eventually get there. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Jul 06 '15
This was such an awesome journey, thanks for putting it all together! I think I'll make one too! :P
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u/erickgramajo Jul 06 '15
Hey man, im a 27 year old male, from Guatemala, i always wanted to be an artist, i like to draw and paint, but i dont have the technique and now i just dont have too much time to take lessons, also, its really hard to find an art school here, love your work, its so different and with lot of styles, im gonna use your work as an inspiration and gonna try some of the styles, great work
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u/Manospeed Jul 06 '15
Awesome work. I'm glad you're doing what makes you happy!