Hi @kotka - I'm 50+ and I have all kinds of crazy dreams! I guess, like a lot of people taking Proko courses, I used to love drawing when I was a kid but I never received any formal art instruction at school. Back in those days, there was a concerted government effort to push people into studying STEM subjects, because the economy. I ended up studying the sciences, but didn’t want to have to give up drawing. I went to my highschool’s art teacher with a selection of my ‘finest’ self-taught studies for him to review and asked him if he’d let me attend lessons when I was able and catch up with the stuff I missed in my own time. He looked through my portfolio and then said, “No.” A little bit of me died that day, a therapist could probably buy a new kitchen off it if I could afford therapy. Anyway, I stopped drawing after that. Fast forward a few decades, and perhaps with the help of perspective that getting older gives, I decided not to let that one incident shape the story of my life. Back then, there was no internet and being able to study on platforms like Proko wasn’t even a pipe dream, but now we have all this amazing possibility to play with. I would love to earn a living from drawing, but I only started Drawing Basics this January and I have no idea if I’ve got what it takes in terms of ability. I’ve given myself two years to study as many Proko courses as I can, build up my artistic muscles and find my artistic style/voice (I still have no idea what kind of things I want to create). So, in December 2027, I’ll take a good hard look at where I am and whether I can even dare to think about pulling the cord on the day job. From what I can see, you seem further down the path than me in that you have made up your mind (which is great!) and you can clearly draw! I’m afraid I can’t give you any advice from the perspective of someone who’s successfully done what you’re doing, but I had a few thoughts to offer that might be helpful – please feel free to ignore them if they don’t help. On competition – I would try not to worry about it and instead focus on making the art that you love, and making it yours. I think there’s a trap that if you’re trying to compete with others, you’ll need to compare your art with theirs, and to be able to do that, you’ll need to be producing work that is similar enough to be compared – which means you’ll just be copying the latest styles like a bunch of other people, and not making your art. That’s fine if you’re really looking to get a job in a game studio or something like that, but it sounds like you’re not 100% sold on that idea right now. Also, Art is so subjective, there are so many styles and media, so many voices with so many things to say. Perhaps, figuring out your style will help achieve your goal of having your work stand on its own two legs while also standing out and finding its own audience of appreciators. On traditional media – I would say definitely try it out as much as you can. It’s AI proof and, as long as civilization is ticking along, there will always be patrons willing to pay for something physical, tangible, and unique. But one thing to bear in mind if you’re thinking along the lines of being a freelance artists (in any media) is that it comes with its own pressures that are different, but no less stressful than working for a big company (I’ve done both – just not in art). I haven’t taken it yet, but there is the “Design Your Career with a Whiteboard” course for USD8 on Proko that might give you some pointers. https://www.proko.com/course/design-your-career-with-a-whiteboard Anyway, this is already too much rambling! Love your trolls. I’ve backed the Dragonbane release of Trudvang on Kickstarter so should be running that some time in 2027, all things going smoothly. I’m hoping to be able to draw character portraits for my players by then! Best of luck with everything. As far as I can see, you’ve got talent in spades, and as long as you believe in yourself and don’t give up, I’m sure you’ll get there. Just remember to have fun!

I'm only 21 and lack experience in both life and drawing, so I apologize that I can't be of concrete help to your situation. But I did have something similar - I was sort of forced by my family to pursue a career in English linguistics/education, because that's what's been considered 'easy to get a job' majors for the past few decades, at least where I grew up. It really doesn't suit me, I don't enjoy it at all. I hadn't done anything for my own passions of art and writing up until a few months ago, when I came across Proko, and started self-studying art whenever I had time outside of college and family. And to be honest - I feel so much happier now, that even though I'm stuck in a career that I don't enjoy, I can work towards what I really want despite it. It's definitely a lot more tiring and busy but I finally feel like I'm starting to live life properly for once. I think all I can say to you is to keep going, pursue what you love despite what life throws at you. I hope for the best for both you and your career as a future illustrator!

I think I'm at a different point in life. I used to love drawing when young and because of that I went to a Design College and in six months they made me hate drawing with all the rules, critics and metrics. I end up in Communications and working in television and now with 41 years I started to fall back in love while drawing pokemons for my son (six years old). It was like meeting up a old friend who I missed so much. For me I think that business, pressure, self marketing and corporations are a real danger to kill your love for art so if I can give you a sugestion, remember always why you love to paint and even if the end game is to make a living with your talent, try to make your first commitment to the pure joy of making something that makes you happy. Ps: Love the trolls and I lot of what I see in your profile. Keep making those beautiful drawings!