Hi guys.

So... journal entries are not my thing, although it gives most people the daily extra 2% pageviews, but here's one describing some of my recent thoughts on self-appreciation and personality tricks to impress people.

Don't be too critic on this one since it's a personal opinion regarding entry-level artists' questions about how to be succesful or impress other people faster with their work. For example, you're young, about 18-19 and eager to work big, get some money, get known and so on. Don't get me wrong... you need your basic skills, but mainly, the attitude is the key. It's 70% tricking people into liking you.

Get started by studying your audience. Most of them, fortunately, know little about digital art and things like that. That doesnt mean they're dumb or they're gonna give money away. In spite all the risks of being considered a slacker or unserious, you should actually leave modesty behind a bit. Be a modest guy regarding personal stuff, not your art. Basically you should try to woo them in some way.

How you're going to do that? lots of ways:

If you think your portfolio is somewhat average, but you really need that overrated feedback to stroke your ego or get you jobs, use small tricks that might not have nothing in common with your art. Things like: attractive keywords, titles, a tricky thumbnail. These will get you the most views on your piece of "art", in comparison with your usual works. Next, will come your description... You should forget about those two pages of story about the scene.. it's irrelevant, regarding your intentions. Short description is the key. Always describe the main ideea in a few lines, mention the medium and tools wich you've worked with and the time spent, as short as possible. For example - "PSCS5 Intuos3 5hrs" - yeah right ). If it makes you look good, use it! Lie! Cheat! nobody's gonna know.

A good example on overrated feedback is, of course Fan Art!.. I mean, cmon, do a speedpaint of Justin Bieber, Johnny Depp, or even Johnny Depp vs Justin Bieber and you're famous. Done! It doesnt even have to be something really good. People will feedback you with the same "omg i luv it ^.^" everytime.

This was the tricking part. Now, time to get cocky as hell. Cocky is good. Gives most people the false impression that you're better at what you do than you actually are. Soon you might get emails for small jobs, comissions and stuff. Thats the part when you must get serious. Do your best and leave the impression that you did a great job. If you can't do that by drawing the best piece ever, use your charisma. Don't know how to draw a leg? Check this out: "So, i was think about drawing her legs, but then i wanted blood splatter all over the image  besides her eyes breasts and butt".  Hopefully, he'll be like "Omfg Wallpaper Wallpaper!!!!".
You have a 50/50 chance of impressing your comissioner. 2 hours of work - 100$ Easy.

OK, highlights:  Feedback tricks, innocent performance lies, attractive titles, charisma.
Use those native skills of yours to boost yourself. Introverted artists might be good but they waste a lot of their value just because of that.

Ok, time to finish this. I wrote this as a friendly advice for youngsters who are eager to get into the mainstream. I do not recommend this at mid level, because you might want a good reputation and be respected by the elite. But its a good way to boos yourself while you get more experience. It's basic marketing.

And finally, all of you listeners, I now hope you don't think this is my strategy. It was a thought it crossed my mind while on a long train trip, and realised this is actually a good possibility and many artists do it. No disrespect though, this fades in time aniway.

I might say more about this and share opinions, but I feel like responding to questions, as it could turn into a good subject.