Wreaking Havoc at Gencon
August 20, 2008
The best 4 days in gaming have come and gone and IMPACT was there. Between panels, games, the art show, costumes and everything else we got home happy and exhausted. Here are the highlights.
The IMPACT ladies on the floor
A random fake sword fight
“The Wreaking Havoc Guys,” Jim Pavelec, Chris Seaman and Chuck Lukacs, were kind enough to participate in a panel for us. Their message was one for aspiring fantasy artists interested in marketing their work to gaming publishers. One of the first things they told the crowded room was to not be afraid to talk to anyone in artist’s alley. They insisted that fantasy artists are always eager to talk about their work, share advice, and even review portfolios. There’s a definite feeling of community among artists who work in the gaming business—there has to be.
Chris, Chuck and Jim
Fantasy artists have to rely on networking and talking to other members of the gaming community to find work. “There are no ‘on-staff’ fantasy artists,” said Pavelec, talking about the trials of making a living creating gaming art, “It’s all freelance.” All of the panelists agreed that art directors don’t typically seek out new talent and artists have to hustle to get their work noticed. “It’s a job—it’s work,” said Seaman, who has sold his work across all kinds of markets, including to children’s books publishers.
Everyone agreed that being a gaming artist isn’t easy. “The pay isn’t great for a long time. You need a real job and have to work on art in your spare time,” said Pavelec. “Art school gives you a start, but not everything you need,” Lukacs chimed in, stressing how many art colleges don’t focus enough on the business side of things, which you have to learn to be successful.
So why bother, when you can make better money doing something else? The guys say it has to be something that you love to do. “I like to draw badass weapons, I don’t know about you guys,” laughed Seaman.
"I like to draw badass weapons."
The panelists went on to give advice about everything from marketing yourself as an artist to best practices for staying productive. Chuck Lukacs showcased samples of his impressive portfolio, stressing the importance of having professional looking samples that include your contact information and web address. And speaking of websites: “Don’t put up everything you’ve ever done,” Lukacs warned of a common mistake made by artists who create their own portfolio websites, “focus on your best stuff.”
The panel lasted about an hour and was packed with great advice about creativity and good business. When asked for final words of advice Jim Pavelec told everyone to “continually draw,” Chuck Lukacs warned about watching your time and working fast and Chris Seaman, getting quiet for a moment, said, “see it through to the next level—don’t quit doing anything.”
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Categories
- 8fish
- Andy Schmidt
- Barbara Lanza
- Brian & Kristy Miller
- Buddy Scalera
- Chris Ryall
- Chris Seaman
- Chuck Lukacs
- Colleen Doran
- David Adams
- David Okum
- Dermot Walshe
- Doug Chiang
- E.J. Su
- Harry Hamernik
- Irene Flores
- J “NeonDragon” Peffer
- Jason Cheeseman-Meyer
- Jim Pavelec
- John Howe
- John Lee
- Peter David
- Randy Martinez
- Scape Martinez
- Scott Tipton
- Stephanie Pui-Mun Law
- Steve Ellis
- Tom Nguyen
- William O'Connor
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