Pro by 19 years old

[Zachary McLean]

Hi,

My name is Zachary McLean, I'm from Calgary, AB, Canada, for those who don't know me. I have been doing illustration and concept art work for approximately 3 years. I just turned 17 on Nov. 9, so I thought it would be a good time to set a decently long term future goal.

I'm graduating high school this spring, so I am hoping to go to art school next year and push myself to my limits and beyond. I have been working hard the past few years, but since I have to get good marks in Highschool, Regardless of if I'll ever use my good marks for practical non-art related things -Haha, I still have to make that my primary goal until I'm done HS this spring. You might think... he's just a kid. Enjoy life, and your childhood, have a social life. Ya- I understand that and sure I'll do all that too, but I'm on Crimson Daggers to get better at art, just like the rest of you.

REGARDLESS, I am hoping to accomplish becoming a really professional connected, industry leading concept artist and fully rounded drawer and painter by my 19th birthday. This may seem like a stretch, but once I can commit my time fully to my art next year, I will have more time. I also am hoping to attend some workshops much like the massive black one coming up. (unfortunately I wont be there)

How I am going to do it: - I'll need YOUR guidance here. PLEASE ADD TO THE LIST!

1) Go either "A" to Alberta College of Art & Design in Calgary after HS. OR "B" Work a year (retail likely, with freelance on the side), then go to university in California (Academy of Art University, or Art Center) and figure out some way of funding.

2) Get connected! Feel free to email me, find me on facebook, CGhub. [email protected]

3) Keep doing freelance work and get known (currently working on a book cover for a client)

4) Continue my exclusive own personal art, but start doing a personal project with other artist(s), where we can learn together and build a cool visual world.

5) Attend workshops to get connected with the leading industry professionals (meet my many inspirations)

6) Help others via critiquing their work, commenting on ideas and helping get better just like me.

7) Studies - Do more still life and especially character studies from life! Do more pencil drawing.

8) Keep posting my work on here and around the web for exposure and contacts.

Please come with me on my journey and achieve my goal beside me! Contact me if you are interested in doing a personal project together and are close to my skill level. Here's a link to my portfolio: www.zachmclean.com

[Zachary McLean]

20" x 16" Acrylic on Canvas. This was for my college application and will soon be posting a new 36" x 24" acrylic landscape I'm working on.

[Tygerson]

Wow! Such stunning shape and rhythm in this landscape! Good luck with your applications!

[smrr]

Well, shit!
Das beautiful!

Anything's possible. I believe in you, Zachary. You know what you want and how to go about getting it.

All the best <3

[Zachary McLean]

Thanks Tygerson and Smrrfette. Really appreciate the feedback and encouragement.

[eru]

lol I am so angry I didnt think of concept art and doing traditional art on the side when I was at school but I started doing 3D and realize this stuff is really fun, Your work is like well beautiful may I say.... I've always wanted to learn how to paint environments but I have no idea how to paint like that traditionally. I wish you could help with some advice on how I should start with traditional paintings or do you recommend any books. :) Ty

[Zachary McLean]

@ERU: I wrote a whole 3 paragraphs, then my internet browser quit!! That's annoying, but anyways, I did a painting process to help with how my techniques work. The process is done digitally, but captures truely how I undertake a acrylic painting from start to semi-finish... I didn't render it much, because I didn't want to spend too much time. I'll sum up the paragraphs I wrote quickly - I haven't used books to learn my art. I have learnt quite a bit from online youtube video channels (Scott Robertson), (Shaddy Safadi), (FZD school), but I seriously didn't need all those things really. If I spent the time drawing/painting instead of watching those videos, I probably would be significantly more skilled with the few additional hours. Although they were helpful and interesting, practice, practice, practice. Thats all you need. You will learn composition, lighting, etc, by yourself if you don't know it already. I haven't seen any of your artwork so please provide me with some work so I can help more and see where you are at! Anyway, Commit to art if you enjoy it and I encourage you not to do too many types of art at once. Become a professional just at painting, or just at 3D, or just at programming, etc. You split your time up into even two different trades, and you are much less skilled than those who commit their all to one. It makes sense, hey? Having loose ends in a bunch of things isn't what will get you anywhere if you are hoping or doing this professionally. Anyways, I don't even know much about what you do, so inform me and don't feel like this "advice" is creditable or wise. Just work hard at what you do. Be encouraged and passionate, even though it may be depressing! read this: http://timelessrepo.com/there-is-no-talent

Here is my process:

1. Do a rough sketch and lightly block in shapes with a wash. I use a mix of Cad Red and Cad yellow. After that, I add maybe a bit burnt umber to darken the values in certain areas, but still keeping it a watery mess to get simple shapes and make sure things are looking okay.
2 This next step is to continue to block in light and dark values. This process is mainly about worrying about the values, less then the color (though you minus well use colors you think will be in the areas at the end of course.)
3. Third step is to use less water, if any and define the really dark shapes. A bit of light too.
4. Just render and define shapes - Use large brushes and long strokes. - Don't detail up one area and then move to the next, do everything at once, progressively.

[eru]

Thank you Zachary, I know some concept artist who use 3D as well and sometimes its good to learn other things, apparently for free lancing and employment reason even Feng zhu does 3D modeling. Your absolutely right though only stick to one thing and you'll be superb at it, but in this case I learn a lot from all sorts of things, I do photography, studying fundamental drawings at this point, 3D modeling, I dont really do as much anymore because I am focusing more an illustration, or design base. My work is down below so you can see my flosses and errors that I already know, there really old. lol my work is horrible don't even bother. I am starting fresh this year.

Anyways Crimson daggers know im a rambler lol, but thank you for this method, I actually would love to try this.

[Zachary McLean]

@ERU, totally true. I guess it's just that it's usually better to become pro at one thing at a time, but it is dependent on one's ambitions. Keep me updated on your work, feel free to stay in contact.

Here's a new painting:

"Just Above Sea Level" - Acrylic on canvas - 36" x 24" Price: $1100 CAN

[eru]

Honestly i want to paint like that traditionally, digitally ive been trying but its looking horrible, I can only do it a really long way with is layers over layers but I have been trying to paint digitally straight on canvas its so hard, none of my shapes form to look like anything. Whats a best method you reckon I should try maybe I should just study photos, rather than brain remembering.... please any advice thanks

[KurtJeremy]

mind blowing work , im going to be 19 in this year and im no where near as good as you... keep at it , you can make it. just dont forget about us here in CD when you go pro ...

[eru]

Ignore what I said my life is really annoying at the moment i want to strive something but its going to have to be the less important now, and it has to be later. I'm in the stage for looking for a job and no money is hell, living off my parents, causes stress and arguments nearly everyday. Enough about me, your already a pro before 19 so well done!!! xD

[Zachary McLean]

Hey,

@ERU: I think you should stop painting and start drawing. In order to decently paint, you must be able to draw really good. You can become good at form and all the elements of design without paint. Pick up some graphite and paper. Draw a still life, landscape, character, or from your imagination. You'll see improvements much faster in painting if you have preliminary drawing skill. Drawing is essential. Don't be discouraged, but don't let art be your life. Having a job, and doing art on your spare time is no problem at all. You may think that you won't be a pro until you're like 90 years old, but that's not true. If you commit to doing a little every day/week, you can do it. And especially don't let others bring you down.

@HilllBilllyJoe: Thanks buddy. Greatly appreciate it.

@FoxFire1345: Ha! Thank you. You'll get there. I'd be interested in seeing some of your work.

Spitpainting - Topic: Neverending Tunnel Time: little less than 30 minutes

[eru]

Oh I see stop painting, I guess i like the look of it too much, Thank you for telling me straight up, you and another have told me. I'll do drawings and show those now on my sketchbook. Ty

[Kaycee]

I really love your art, I'm older than you yet I'm still a complete beginner, you are an inspiration.

[Zachary McLean]

Hi,

I've decided that I probably am not going to go to ACAD next year, seeing the unprofessional-ism in the recent "Showoff" Highschool art contest. For the winners, they picked some of the worst-least skillful, and primarily modern "pop" art that will likely never have a use as a professional career in the future of the people's lives. Very disappointed in this college.

I plan on working for a year, or semester, then I want to go to "Art Center College of Design". Since it's so expensive, I hope I can still make it work. I'd love info on international scholarships If anyone knows of any.

Here are some character studies that I said I needed to do in my original, first post. Also a self portrait WIP done with acrylics.

[chinagami]

So far your work is awesome for your age. Your environments are strong, all the right colours are there. Your characters need more work though, which I am sure you are working on along with other subjects. Keep it up, once you do get into whatever school you choose, your skills will accelerate a lot.