Balancing Artwork (Work) with Friends, Family etc.

[Barn8799]

So as you all might have guessed from the title my question is basically how do you guys do it?

Now as I could have asked this question on a life management website's forum I figured I would ask a community of people who are a bit more qualified to answer this because all of us share the same passion for art and most of you can relate to what I am going through. Right now I am dedicating 8+ hours a day to drawing (mostly the human figure) on my days off of work. I am a strong believer in practice makes perfect and in my opinion time not spent drawing is time that could be spent doing it and bettering yourself. To make a long story short I could always draw well but I kind of goofed off in high school and wasted a lot of time not doing anything art related and now that I am 24 years old and getting serious about my life and career I am trying to make up for lost time.

The thing is my family and friends are starting to realize that I have all but dropped off of the face of the earth because I spend so much time practicing. It's starting to upset them and I feel really bad and try to explain to them this is only temporary until I have a solid grasp on everything I draw. My question for all of you is how do you guys do it and does it get easier for you when it comes to working and drawing in the industry are the demands too much do you even have time for anything else?

I ultimately would like to be a concept artist and illustrator for video games so this question is mainly directed to the people working in the business already or have the same passion I do and spend endless hours practicing like myself. If drawing is just a hobby for you and you aren't working in the industry please don't reply no disrespect

[Star Eater]

I married someone who appreciates esoteric subjects and likes art, fantasy, etc...basically a lot of the things I like.

But whats important is that my wife could see I was srs buzness about the arts. I didn't bugger around with fan art
or 5 dollar commissions. I studied, I practiced, I submitted portfolios. Because of that, she indulges me in my self-imposed
seclusion in my studio and on the PC. She's very supportive and my biggest critic. My friends know the score and they dont
give me any hassle either. I make time for them when I can and its always epic when we get together, probably because I'm
not out with them every weekend anymore.

When I do contracts, she takes on the extra burden and I make it up to her when the paycheck comes. It's a win win relationship.

[dpaint]

Misery loves company and people who don't have passion for what they do or just collect a paycheck because they never figured out what they wanted to do will always try to drag you down and get you off your game. This goes double for family members and relationships. Get rid of them or ignore them. Do what you need to do to become successful or you'll end up just like them.
Artists aren't normal people and can't act like normal people unless you work for someone else.

[blogmatix]

But whats important is that my wife could see I was srs buzness about the arts.

On a completely different note, I never realized there was much of a market for your kind of art in South Africa. Can you make a living out of it?

[Dusty]

I married the most amazing woman in the world that understands the sacrifice that it takes to live this life, but I also make a point to make time for her whenever possible.
She understands how important it is to me and that not only do I need to work during the day, but I also need to do personal work at night to stay sane.

Having an understanding partner is key.
Over the years, she's actually become my rock. When I start to falter and lose inspiration, she is there to give me ideas. She's not an artist herself, but she is still incredibly creative. I dunno what I'd do without her.

If art is your passion and you are with someone that isn't understanding of this fact, you are going to have a difficult time in life.
I do personally believe it takes a special person to tolerate an artist if they are not one themselves.

[OmenSpirits]

All my friends are mostly writers or have kids. Guess how much time they have for other things? I've already told them I may fade from time to time for long stretches because I'm working on getting the life I want. They understand. They all know if they need me, just call and I'm there.

[Star Eater]

On a completely different note, I never realized there was much of a market for your kind of art in South Africa. Can you make a living out of it?

I work for overseas clients. Also, not all my art is fantasy/horror and my South African subject matter is all people and animals and kids illustrations.

[blogmatix]

I work for overseas clients. Also, not all my art is fantasy/horror and my South African subject matter is all people and animals and kids illustrations.

Ah, I see. Now the world makes sense again.

Some years ago I worked with two young brothers who were both pretty good at manga. They both had to do a day job, because around here there is simply no market whatever for that, and they were not willing to branch out into anything else. Had they taken up wildlife art,they may well have made a fortune. :-)

[Barn8799]

Thank you guys for your feedback now I don't feel like a complete douche lol.

[black-swan]

The thing is my family and friends are starting to realize that I have all but dropped off of the face of the earth because I spend so much time practicing. It's starting to upset them and I feel really bad and try to explain to them this is only temporary until I have a solid grasp on everything I draw.

This isn't temporary, drawing is hard, you'll always have to practice at it

[Ryan Provenzano]

My schoolmates have commented on my tendency to be quiet and anti-social after I started drawing. Though in reality it's because I'm usually drawing now, and it's not easy for me to draw and devote my attention to talking to another person at the same time. I don't let it bother me, though.

[fireblade]

Not quite sure why you should feel bad about this, at 24 I was devoting 8hrs a day to playing video games. That's something to feel bad about.

On a serious note, try and organize your time more effectively. There should always be time for family and friends. If you are just practicing your craft and not actually working for clients, then time shouldn't be an issue.

One thing you could do is take your sketchbook with you when you get together with your friends and draw them. two birds with one stone BAM.

[hitnrun]

@ Fireblade - I was doing that same thing. More than.. Got tired of it.

Also, if you're decent/good at drawing -and you've got some speed, people really enjoy watching you draw.

OP:
1) What's wrong with being a quiet person?
2) You don't sound anti-social - you've found something you enjoy doing more than hanging out and doing stupid stuff. Congrats.
3) The family thing could be difficult - you have to decide if you want your life to be art, or if it's a hobby. If you want it to be your career - educate yourself MORE about it, then educate your parents about it. Let them know its what you want to do. Your parents should WANT you to do what makes you happy, so they should be open to it as long as they see you're serious about it. Art is a difficult field (with that in mind, what ISN'T a difficult field in today's world??). So make sure it's what you want. If it IS, hit it with everything you've got.

[Barn8799]

Thank you all for your helpful information I honestly thought this post would get ignored but as a new member to this forum its nice to see this community supporting each other.