How to know when you're ready to start freelancing?

[Jtho]

I've been considering trying to finally start making a little money from my art recently by doing commission work, but confidence in my abilities has always been somewhat of a sticking point for this. For the longest time I've sort of felt that I'm just "not good enough" yet to start, so I keep putting off the thought, but recently I could really use the extra income.

Some of my skillsets are much less developed than others, and even just imagining theoretical jobs gets me anxious about not being able to deliver a good result or having them ask for something I'm not very good at. I don't even feel very confident that I would be able to find much, if any work in the first place. It would definitely be difficult for me to put my humility aside and start advertising myself.

I realize there's no clear point at which one can say "yep, you're ready!", so I guess I don't really know what I'm looking for here. I suppose any kind of advice, possibly sharing some nuggets of wisdom or experiences of how other people started out.

Thanks

[alesoun]

Why not just try, Jtho? Sounds to me like your fears are pretty normal and universal.....

[Elwell]

How do you know you're good enough? You try to get work, if you do, you're good enough.

[Musselfarmstudios]

How do you know you're good enough? You try to get work, if you do, you're good enough.

He's right, it's not really your decision to make . . . it's your potential clients or studios decision. From personal experiance I could tell you that I have a lot of issues I need to work on . . . ie color and figuritive issues but that hasn't stopped me from trying . . . I'm actually waiting to hear from a major animation studio right now about a job, I'm on the "short list" as Rep from the studio put it.

I should be finding out about it any day now but the point is that despite my issues with color and figures . . . there is always value to what strengths you have.

[J Wilson]

Hehe, Elwell beat me to what I was going to say. When someone is paying you, you're good enough.

I have a lot of areas that I need improvement on. I think a LOT of artists who get professional work still feel like they need improvement, because art is a life time learning experience. I rarely thought I was "good enough" because in my mind I'm comparing myself to my artistic idols, which are pretty big shoes to fill.

My suggestion is start self promoting right away. Create a mailing list of the places you'd like to work, and add to that mailing list when you discover new places that look like they could use the kind of work you create. Whenever you have a major new piece to show, or have several new pieces, send out a new mailing to remind them you are still available. Try no to over do it, no one likes spam, but every couple of months or so is fine.

In the mean time, keep creating. Work on those areas that you think you can improve, and keep creating more of what you are good at and enjoy (as obviously people will want you most for what you are good at). If you have the time and inclination you might even consider working for some of the more legit non or low paying jobs, just to get a feel for working with an art director and keeping deadlines. Just make it clear to them that their job will need to get bumped if a paying job comes up.

[ALH]

I was just pondering a similar thing, this thread has answered a few questions i had- god im really growing to love this place ;_;


My problem is lately i've been wondering about what level i should be artistically before i start to apply. I've mentioned this in a couple of threads now- its something which worries me on a regular basis, but evidently i'm not alone in this- i certainly felt it before i read this thread.

There are certain things which i dont have for show in my portfolio for various reasons - gaps which im working on filling at the moment. I certainly know it would be foolish of me to apply without filling those gaps - But i sometimes worry that just the best i can do will not be enough, that i wont get a job unless i can do the same kind of high-quality work as the awesome pros on this site and in the industry. I certainly know that is true in terms of a lifelong career goal- but im very aware that i have some growing up to do as a person and artistically before i get to that stage.

Its scary to be a graduate, the real world has just arrived and its so much bigger than expected D:!

One thing ive learnt from posting here, from my terrific asskicking and from all my years of making excuses and complaining- worrying about things stops you from doing them. Every time i say how worried i am i know on some level im doing it because im hoping someone will see what i've said, check out my work and say ' you're ready- go for it'- then i wont have to push myself to study or produce 'showable' artefacts as much as i am at the moment...which would not be a positive thing at all!