Scheduling / Deadlines

Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 21:41:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: BHobz1955@webtv.net (Robert Hobbs)
Subject: Re: illustration: Attention veteran illustrators

It's hard to answer such a question. Each artist has his or her own pace. I once did 50 full page pen & ink illustrations including ink air-brush on some of them in about 3 months. Each illustration was to size at 5.5 x 9.0". I was able to do one illstration in about two days.

The key is planning what you're going to draw ahead of time, pacing yourself, taking breaks and keeping yourself in the mood. Don't overdo it or you'll get tired and sloppy and it will show in the work.

Don't let the enormity and the deadline freak you out. Stressing out will only slow you down. You've got to keep focused so that you don't make mistakes and that will cost you time.

You can do it!

Bob

--

"I think the reason for so much less-than-wondrous published art has less to do with tasteless ADs than with unrealistic deadlines, and the inability or unwillingness to turn down work. This biz ain't for the faint of heart, that's for sure. A wise illustrator friend of mine once said that the reason for taking on too much work is probably either fear or ego. Fear of turning down work and not getting called back, or an unrealistic estimation of time."

Kathy,

I agree whole heartedly. I've done it. For both reasons. It's a horrible feeling knowing I could have done better & now that goes out into the world representing me.

Barbara

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Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 14:59:17 +0900
From: victoria
Subject: illustration: More questions from Okinawa...scheduling

Victoria on Okinawa,

Well, I have some more questions and I can't wait until the next digest comes in. So here it goes:

How do you all schedule your time? I mean exactly how does your average day, week, & month schedule go?

Help! I am swamped and overwhelmed. Am I missing the "KEY" of how to schedule as a freelancer?

Any tips-suggestions-ways of scheduling? Art time, creative time-just living time? And how do you schedule it all in?

Thanks for being here. Joy in Jesus, Victoria

--
Scheduling is something I'm still working on, but for me all-nighters are not fun. Not having a life is not fun either, so scheduling and learning to say "no" are important.

I think the first thing that's necessary is to estimate how long projects will realistically take you. Then figure out how much time you want to work and fill in your calendar with daily tasks to meet your deadlines. When your calendar is full, start turning down work or negotiating for more time.

When tempting jobs come up it's hard to say "no" and things come up to throw good scheduling out of whack, but you have to start somewhere. I know if I don't control my workload I get burnt out, cranky, my work suffers and I don't enjoy this career that I'm supposed to be enjoying.

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