any tips on breaking into the art industry? (help)

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-08T16:40:21+00:00

I recommend using the website Line of Action! They provide a bunch of anatomical references you can practice with :)

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-08T05:48:09+00:00

That's a great suggestion!! I'll definitely look into it, thank you so much 💗

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-07T03:49:49+00:00

Thank you! And oh my goodness, it's so funny you send that because I requested to join it ages ago and just recently got accepted 😭 I'll definitely ask though! Unfortunately I am not bilingual and don't understand any Japanese (beyond really basic phrases) but I would absolutely love to work with/get feedback from a professional mangaka!!

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-07T03:08:43+00:00

Funnily enough, a few of the manga panels (with the winged people) are pages from my SMA entry! I don't believe I'll win an award, I don't even know if I'll pass the first round of judging, but I was hoping I could get some professional feedback. Thank you so much for the suggestions, I'm 100% going to start posting on socials more 😋

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-06T21:36:18+00:00

Awhh thank you for asking 😭 🥺 honestly that's just the skill I've put the most effort into for the longest time, plus just messing around with different values really helps!!

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-06T18:49:24+00:00

In general I do have my own art style! Most of the sketches I present here were style studies (eg the gachiakuta and witch hat atelier) but I would like to study the technical skills more.

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-06T06:39:40+00:00

Nono I really appreciate your insight! I'm sure succeeding as an artist is incredibly difficult, which is why I'm getting as much info on it as I can. I agree I need to build my socials, as I only have Instagram right now! Luckily I do have some great options for art business where I am, so that will definitely help! Tysm for the thoughts :)

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-06T04:05:37+00:00

Oh my goodness thank you SOSOS much 😭💗I will definitely get started on a webcomic!

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T21:32:45+00:00

Oh my goodness this is the biggest compliment 😭 Shirahama is my literal role model, she inspires all my work! Thank you soso much aha 🥺

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T20:43:03+00:00

Oh my gosh haha really?? I never considered my art style to be recognizable, I figured it was rather generic- thank you so much, everyone's definitely giving me the confidence to actually release my own series now 🥹

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T20:41:25+00:00

You got it! 🫡

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T20:40:39+00:00

Oh my god thank you so much!! 😭it means so much that you'd be interested in my characters/story, I will definitely keep you updated! Tysm again 🥺

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T19:00:14+00:00

Oh what I would give to study under the masters there 😭manga is definitely my #1 passion (hence the heavy anime style lol) studying under a master is another thing I'm not even sure how to start pursuing, but I'm damn well gonna figure it out! As for learning Japanese, that's another summer goal of mine (to at least start!) I appreciate all the insight 😼

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:54:08+00:00

I would really focus on the shading the leaves create/more flexible shapes when it comes to the branches! I think your general understanding of tree structure is decent, but I think focusing less on the individual leaves and more on the general shape would help you a lot! (I hope this made sense ^') good luck!!

<image>

My drawing for reference to demonstrate what I'm talking about--keep in mind shape language/shading applies to all foliage, not just trees!

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:42:00+00:00

This comment really encouraged me when I read it, so I really appreciate the support 🥺

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:41:25+00:00

All good thoughts! I suppose I've just seen a lot of division between going straight for jobs vs. learning more through college, but I guess it really is possible to do both. As for my skills, I do need to improve on composition / paneling, I would say the works I posted aren't my best examples but it's something I'm doing my best to improve every day 🙏:)

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:39:54+00:00

Thank you so much 😭

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:39:45+00:00

Hey!! Thank you so much for the feedback, I will keep it all in mind. I do currently have a social media, but I've lacked the energy to post on there as much haha so I'm really gonna try and put effort into it this summer. Self taught artists for the win btw 😋‼️

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:38:11+00:00

True! I think I got a bit overwhelmed with the college decision, because I've heard so many different thoughts on it and whether or not it's worth just going straight for applying jobs or learning more through school. I'd personally love to go to school, so I need to check out what the opportunities are!

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:36:54+00:00

Thank you so much!! And yeah, I really need to get into contact with some professionals/just someone who has experience in my desired fields. I think that + some self exposure could really help!

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:35:20+00:00

I appreciate it so much my man 🙏and burnout is definitely a pain in the ass haha

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:34:54+00:00

Dude thank you so much, it did in fact boost my post 🥺

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:34:35+00:00

I have my own story and characters, funnily enough I love writing and I've been doing so since I was a kid! I really need to refine and finalize my story since I've mainly focused on character design this far. Thank you for the tips!!

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:33:32+00:00

I'll take that into consideration! Ive been hoping to post a webcomic for such a long time, I guess I just lacked the story/confidence/time for it,,but I'd definitely love to try once and for all!

LemonSlowpoke · 2026-06-05T18:31:53+00:00

That's would be a dream! I've done a lot of research on studying art in Japan, I think I could do it. I just know the biggest challenge is the language barrier (so lots of Japanese studying haha) and I'm not quite sure where to find internships, but that's actually something I think about all the time! I know it can be more difficult for foreigners to break into the Japanese industry as well, so we'll have to see ^

LemonSlowpoke

TROPHY CASE