Achieve your ART GOALS in 2024!

🖌️ -Buy REAL-TIME Tutorials/Templates/Brushes - gumroad.com/trentk
🖌️ -Buy Books + Ebooks by Trent - www.aquatic-moon.com
🖌️ -Join the Discord = / discord
🖌️ Wishlist the Twilight Monk Game on Steam store.steampowered.com/app/19...
🖌️ - Become a MEMBER to communicate directly with Trent and get exclusive videos and sneak peeks at new art. :
/ @trentkaniuga
Achieve your ART GOALS in 2024! In this video I discuss several methods of analyzing your current skill level with art, and provide solutions on how you can find work, prepare your portfolio and what mindset you should be in when applying for art jobs. I also talk a bit about how to build your audience on social media if you prefer the route of going independent and building your own art following.
Make a 2024 Art Career Plan!
Games I've worked on -
CURRENTLY WORKING ON- Twilight Monk Metroidvania
Fortnite (Environment concept art)
Overwatch (Environment concept art + Sprays artwork)
League of Legends (Character design + Environment concept art, UI + Icons)
Diablo 3 (Character design + Environment concept art)
Hearthstone (Illustration)
Burning Crusade(Character design + Environment concept art)
Wrath of the Lich King (Character design + Environment concept art)
Indivisible (Environment concept art)
Final Fight Streetwise (Voice Acting + Character Design + World Design + Cutscene Direction + Co writer on script)
He Man GBA (Pixel Art)
Terminator 3 GBA (Art Direction + Pixel Art)
CannonBallers (Character + World design)
Ikeda: The Scrap Hunter (Programming + Art + Design)
Goblins and Gnomes (Concept Art)
Books available-
CreeD Re:Imaginary (2021) - 2 part Comic series
Twilight Monk - Return of the Ancients (2021) - Illustrated Novel
Twilight Monk Secrets of Kung Fulio (2020) - Illustrated Novel
Escape from Giants Crown (2019) - Illustrated Novella
World Of Twilight Monk Vol 1 (2019) Art Book
The Man and the Moonken (2019) - Illustrated Novella
The Beast of Tuksa (2018) - Illustrated Novella
Twilight Monk (2012) - 2 Graphic Novels
Nova Colony (2009) - 1 Graphic Novel
CreeD (1993-2007) - Comic Book Series
Ghost Rider (2000) - Comic Book Series
The Fuzz (1997) - Comic Book

[@retroremy]

Trent, I'm usually a silent observer, but compelled to share. With over 20 years in marketing and currently a Creative Director, I strive to match the caliber of artists in major companies like Blizzard, Grinding Gear Games, Amazon Games. My artistic style aligns most closely with the aesthetics of Diablo 4, Path of Exile, and influential figures like Brom. Immersed in studying artbooks, including Monster Hunter and Frazetta's works, I aim to enhance my skills further everyday. After a recent layoff, I've dedicated the last three months to building a portfolio, determined to enter the game industry as a concept artist and work my way up to a principal artist. Grateful for your insights and Gumroad courses that shape my understanding of the gaming industry. Thank you.

[@franciscofeest6691]

give me a job.

[@KypPlays]

@@franciscofeest6691 same

[@cthulha_north]

I guess my goal is to learn to love drawing again and to stop comparing myself to others and be more confident in art.

[@shizenni]

One of my art goals this year is to conquer the fear of not being good enough to start and finish a concept project

[@savitrizuzanka1312]

You are not alone 🌸

[@TrentKaniuga]

This is an ongoing thing for a healthy artist. Never be perfect, never be complete. Accept that, and work to improve, every day.

[@cristian290296]

My wish for 2024 is being able to hone my abilities and land my first job as a character concept artist. My plan to do so is work harder and get in touch with the community through socials, because right now I’m not really a social guy but i understand the power of being active in a community.

[@donalddodge5479]

6 months in, how’s it going??

[@zack_feldman]

Goals: -Finish first draft of novel -Illustrate and write a children’s book The others are more ethereal. The audiobook that you released was the push I needed to start writing the book that’s been in my head since 2002, so thanks man. Your work, classes, and advice have been wonderful as I pivoted from teaching art for 11 years, to making it professionally.

[@SarelJVisagie]

Just graduted my Graphic Design degree. Now I have a lot of time off but still feel daunted pursuing Concept Art while living in South Africa where the industry just isn’t reaching yet. My goal is to get consistent with the free time I have and try and create a short comic due to my shared love in storytelling.

[@wootarts53]

My art goal is to draw 13 chapters for my first comic that I'm drawing seriously, which would be around 300 -something pages, by the end of this year!

[@linkinaball]

My art goal is creating a graphic novel. Doing research and writing right now! Also getting better in storytelling/ storyboarding.

[@kat.m.newell]

My fear of failure has stopped me from trying. My goal is to keep drawing, stop comparing myself to others, and embrace the learning process!

[@JeffreyHuntArt]

My goal is to slow down. I pushed myself hard last year and focused on shortcuts and workflow but I think I sacrificed opportunities for better quality somewhere. So, to define the goal better, I am going to focus on quality rendering by examining my finished pieces against concepts of readability, storytelling, and composition before hitting the export button.

[@angelrock241]

I want to learn to draw and make a portfolio to find an entry-level job, open commission, and to work on my own games (hobbyist) 🌺🌺🌸🌸🎀🎀

[@chiaramarker]

My art goal is to finally make this character design portfolio which is in my head for quite a while (several years to be honest!) a reality in 2024. No more excuses about feeling not ready. I watched so many tutorials from different online art schools in the past years. I exactly know what I need to put in there. I just need to make it happen. To take the first steps.

[@Ayzay1717]

Cool stuff Trent, thanks.

[@loumarich3562]

Happy New Year Trent! Finish my second installment of my illustrated book series!

[@mr.babichslessons7279]

I LOVE your videos Trent. I’m looking forward to watching your content all year. Thank you!

[@TielLT]

Trent, I foockin love you man!

[@axlemoo]

I’ve been watching you since 2021 and, I gotta say, you’ve helped me bring back the spark I used to for art

[@dhrubrexx]

My goal is to get into the industry anyhow as a concept artist. Grow as an artist and become a better version of myself.

[@lunarfifthstudios]

Continuing on the goal I wrote in the comments from your last video: I have now learned the basics of game programming and can almost make crappy games to showcase my art style in a more elevated way than a simple portfolio. In the meantime, I've been doing environment studies, learned basic 3D modeling, and my leg is finally starting to heal. I am finally gaining some hope and starting to catch my breathe... Anyone with hesitation: now is the best time to start! ✌️

[@BlackRoseMii]

My main goal this year is to actually find out what I want to do and join an indie project. I know I'm not good enough yet to apply in big studios (nor do I have the art style everybody wants to hire), but I feel like helping smaller indie devs achieve their dream of finishing a game might be more satisfying anyway. So far, I didn't have much luck with the projects I joined. Most of them are either in development for years or have been cancelled...

[@splendidcyan]

Trent, your recent videos have been snappy and harsh and exactly what I've needed to hear. Waiting and hoping and imagining I'm already there is fun, but if I want to progress on my goals then I got shit to do! My goal for this year is to have a concept art/production portfolio for games and film that gets me a contract by the end of the year. (If I get landed in a studio, even better!) My revamped portfolio has a due date in June; that gives me time to make multiple projects, each with multiple pieces, iterations, turnarounds, ect to show the scope of what I'm capable of. One of those projects will also be revamping a project from last year (when you talked about how if we don't like re-doing, re-iterating, we won't like concept art, I was smiling, because I LOVE getting to revisit and punch up old pieces-- even if that means totally redoing them). I'm planning on having enough of these projects done to update my portfolio by March, when I can start attacking the job applications again. I feel like I've learned and grown a lot as an artist in the last 6 months, which is great, except that now I see everything wrong with what I've already made and know I can do better. It makes for a good to-do list, at least!

[@bigverybigveryverybigveryv9829]

I'm a military draftee this year I hope I can keep my skills at the same level as they are right now, witch isn't very high and I hope we don't get involved in any wars or something

[@lindseydietz604]

My art goal for this year is to get my tattoo apprenticeship. I have been working for years towards this goal, and its easy to give up on your dreams when you've had them for a long time. Your pep talks always remind me to make them happen. I hope we all can achieve our art goals this year together 🎉🎉🎉

[@savitrizuzanka1312]

I will decide after a long sleep , after your wisdom! I simply can’t kill my potential another week!!! ❤❤❤ thank you for topic

[@brandoonf6962]

wat did u decide

[@walt4063]

Trent. The man with the plan.

[@eiichyeiifmc5572]

Trent! You are always awesome im currently having a recession in my career right now, different role tho but your words are really really helpful. Im feeling down but now I feel like Im starting to see the light.

[@andreaslangner5549]

My goals for 2024: Finish a frustrating project, and after that dive into fundamentales learning 🤗 still feel like thats where i never learned enough and am Missing the Most 😁

[@petrichor9541]

My art goal for this year is to really go out and experiment, and figure out what exactly I want to express through my art and land freelance work or a job through becoming a better artist.

[@SusanTowles]

Trent, I agree with @retroremy about being a silent observer; however, I enjoy UX/UI design and want to follow that path more. Joining your discord channel allowed me to see the behind-the-scenes information to help me restart my portfolio from pen and paper-style work to digital artwork. In the end, thank you.

[@mewzzeri]

My art goals for 2024 involve finally getting comfortable in the digital medium. I received a drawing tablet in September last year and didn't touch it for two months because I was so scared of photoshop :c But now, I'm gonna try and force myself to draw more in digital, get myself out of my comfort zone, and improve all of the skills that come with digital (rendering, composition, brush selection, colours, etc) because for the past year (aka since I started drawing) I've only been doodling in my sketchbook and that only got me so far. Now is the time to make my studies more focused, more streamlined and better. Another thing that motivates me is the idea of getting a merit scholarship at this one school that I really like that's abroad, so there we have it. Ok, now back to work :3

[@iAmDejure]

To keep building my range and perfecting my style. And mastering color theory and perspective. Oh and to finish my next two art books and possibly have a better quality of said artbooks on the paper and pencil budget 😅

[@mortadayahya3661]

Trent you are in last video reminded me with one man I respect for his work and his speak always he talk about strategy thinking and one page business plan and you are lanching a game and i love to see you succed and kill it so i love to sugget to you two book from this man choose your animes wisely and your next five moves you may be very busy but you can check these book just because i love the information you are sharing and how transparent you are about i wish to you all the luck

[@ayuvir]

I started drawing two years ago at 30. My skills are still very lacking but I practice every day quite a lot. All I want is to be able to make good drawings. Portraits, illustrations or concept art doesn't matter as long as it's good. Getting a job will come after. Those are my goals.

[@randomsketchings]

Hey Trent, can you do a video on a comprehensive breakdown of what a day to week looks like for a junior artist working in your studio may look like. I feel right now I'm lacking the speed more than technical ability. Plus I feel like it would help me on my training to have a benchmark for a competitive timeline. Thanks for all the videos, I am always watching with my note pad studying love the channel.

[@DigitalinDaniel]

Still making my TTRPG, it would be really cool to get an art job, but I'm also learning concept art for my personal goals: designing creatures, props, characters for my books/worlds. I'm really lacking in the InDesign/Affinity sorta realm... designing page layouts, templates, tables, and such. So I'll probably work on that this year, but of course I will still buy and work on Trent's annual boxset of tutorials! ;)

[@YourKERMIT69]

Hello Trent, I´ve been drawing for pretty much my whole live, I´m a student in 9. grade and my art goal this year is to switch from normal paper and pen art to drawing on a digital drawing tablet I´ve been watching a few tutorials already and I practice as much as I can every night to some day be able to work at big companies like you do

[@Artgalles]

My goals for this year is to grow both my skills as a concept artist, video editing skills and share my worldbuilding through youtube through my art, lets see how this goes😊

[@ororomunroe8170]

My vision is to grow my brand on social media, and utilize my art to tell the stories I want to tell. To do this I really need to hone my technical drawing skills and improve my marketing skills, but I'm convinced something will come of it by the end of the year if I stay consistent

[@monsutaaaa]

My goals for 2024 would be to get better at storytelling, whether that's through my illustrations, or giving comics and animations a try, I just know that I have to get better at telling a story through my art (and I've already made steps to reaching that goal) And the next thing hopefully is to work and collab with more artists and indie projects. I was lucky to get the chance to design posters and merch for a few clients last year and I hope to achieve more and expand my horizons a bit more. And finally I want to make a portfolio for illustration (and maybe other jobs like comics) but I'm still looking for the right art job(s) for the fit. These are the goals I hope to reach this year or at least make steps to get closer to that goal

[@leonnewkirk1713]

My goal this year is to complete 3 art courses and make a portfolio

[@_jamescube]

My goal for 2024 is to improve my environment artwork. A lot studios expect both character and environment art proficiency, so I need to up my game for sets and backgrounds to better my chances of getting hired. On a more personal level, I'm also starting to learn pixel art, which is quite a different challenge from what I'm used to.

[@ryleyw3684]

My goal for 2024 is to 1- Improve and get better at digital art. • Anatomy •Environmental art •digital painting •vehicles •characters 2- post more to my art social media 3- try making stickers or something. 4- start a small business for side income selling some things I have in mind I might be missing something but at the moment I'm blank on more of my ideas

[@eldrisb421]

my goal this year is to improve my art skill build that consistent habit and start creating whats in my imagination 🎉 to everyone have an amazing year and work hard

[@jeodraws2473]

Last year I promised myself that I would draw more, I drew, but not as much as I thought I would, felt like I disappointed myself So the new goal this year is to draw more not only sketches but bring old projects out of the dust and onto a canvas, or screen however its done. finish projects, create new pieces for my portfolio, and by the end of this year, I want to see how far my skills and work have progressed since the beginning of this year. hopefully by this DEC, I can be accountable for my own work and the many things I yearn to achieve

[@beaverson]

Honestly, I'm gonna work on building my artistic confidence and working on my comic this year..🙂🎨

[@kristofgriffin384]

My goal for this year is making and finishing portfolios for character design, storyboarding, and graphic design. I mainly want to work in the animation industry, so I want to build some solid portfolios to make sure I can work at a studio. However, with the rise of independent animation like Hazbin Hotel or Amazing Digital Circus, going independent or freelance is also on my mind.

[@SavMortem]

I think I want to start with honing my skills, been going through some of your courses and those have helped me develop so I'm looking forward to going through the rest I got. I want to try designing some things for a mock video game to get an idea of the workflow and what I want to specialize in and then I'd love to find an indie team to work with. Want to learn some 3D modeling and rendering as well. That's a list though so I'm going to focus on finishing those classes first 😅

[@MrGiraeff]

Hi, my goal is to create a boardgame and build a portfolio for get a job in the game industry, i wanna be a concept artist and do some art. I did a portfolio note what I wanted to draw or create, I got a book from Michael Hampton about gesture drawing. And your work on YT is so fantastic and insipiring. Just so hard to start it. I dont know i should draw in digital or just with a pencil and just polish on a computer. Thank you so much to being here and speak about your work!

[@jhunter1371]

I am going all in on making my own ash can comics and sell them at local festivals.

[@yarugatyger1603]

I'm a VFX student and I feel like it's much harder getting into small studios as a fresh graduate, as they need/prefer people who can pull their full weight from the get go and they don't want the work of a junior whom they must teach the pipeline. I've been told that I need to try the big studios or bigger studios as they have the resources to support juniors.

[@user-ss9ye4kr7w]

Hey trent any chance of a metal rendering video specially dents,crevices and rivets on mechs and guns/armour? rendering some complex cylindrical/rectangular form on a heavy mech into something believable quickly? Still struggle with rendering the small scratches and dent/holes in those forms during the rendering stage and sometimes place the highlights on the wrong end. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for everything you do for us.

[@user-nv1rs5hg1v]

that opening line got me "if you will just go with the flow like a river it may take you millions of miles away from your goal" but hey trent what if the river is like a rapids? lol

[@Cesargilhernandez]

I want to enhance my skills further with consistency.

[@Da0ll]

My goal is to learn how to draw again and build up an decent portfolio for a cool job

[@Niko_3D]

My current goal is to move away from working for/with indies to working for AAA companies, personal strategy is to develop a killer looking portfolio.

[@Riste.R]

I hope to get an rough 2D animation internship at feature film animation studio in this summer. And then I hope to finish some nice animation and concept project for my portfolio and start the last year of my bachelor degree strong ☺

[@booleah6357]

So god as my witness I am going to finish at least one of these damned larger projects I keep starting and not finishing!

[@adonisg7138]

Trying to break into the animation industry as a character designer. Applied to almost 200+ jobs that relate to mine skills and abilities. I’ve connected with some current pros and I did get 2 interviews but nothing.

[@jwalexart9426]

My goal is to make my style or my art voice and being consistent in the thing that I want to draw. Like creatures and environments.

[@thevisualartist2302]

2024 I will start to get into freelance artwork

[@Unkidneystonedkidney]

i guess my goal would be to regain my love for art since when i was a kid i used to draw alot but i would often be bullied so that killed my love for art since i began to hate myself and become more insecure and conscious of myself...so i started learning animation and i wanna gain my love for art and also peruse a career in character design and character animation.

[@alexandrem4777]

My goal is to have good anatomy drawing skills at the end of this year ✊

[@albertonunez2045]

Going to finish the last 30 percent of this book I’m writing. And finalize the character drawings for all of the main characters.

[@erickenneycreative]

I'm going to finally pull the trigger on a KZbin channel entitled Slightly Less Horrible, where through building a community I will host videos dissecting and spotlighting, with monthly/weekly contests, essays, judges, mine, other pros and the communities reimagining of writing or art of stories, films, Characters, comics not to tear anything down but to get to the heart of what makes something great, what makes it not great, or at the very least .... Slightly Less Horrible. 😊

[@wanaise7906]

My Usual Goals: 1. Have a relationship with clients that offer bridges. 2. Finish the indie game project to get more connections and opportunities. As often I listen through your videos as my podcast while working, I've just received a role of lead character designer this year for a indie game project, wish me luck! Thank you Trent for uploading motivation videos biweekly :)

[@halidramzan2803]

I want to turn my story ideas into animatics. So I can watch them and be able to actually receive some critic from people. The next step will be picking the best one and making a short film with my friends. ❤

[@_Slypi]

My main goal is to become a freelance environment artist. So, I'll be focusing on honing my craft this year.

[@urielknight3431]

I just started this year with drawing anime and i really wanna improve in this year as its my dream to become a manga artist

[@andrewalvarez7389]

Thank you so much! These videos are gold. Personally, I’ve always had a passion for drawing and ultimately becoming a comic book cover artist. Im older now and while that is still a goal of mine I have gained an intense urge to work in the video game and movie industry creating characters focused more on sci-fi using tools like zbrush, blender, and other like it. I’m searching for a good mentor and courses for this at the moment. Do you have any suggestions?

[@ravenhendershott1058]

I'm going to finish my comic book this year, and look into publishing options for no later than 2025.

[@KentaroYuuki]

My goal this year is to make my comic as official thing Improve my art more and make portfolio and show it to some professional artist in game and animation industry for criticism And to start learning 3d modeling and 3d animation too and basics of game making

[@victordanielcastellanosvelez]

yeeeesssss ssrrr! superPower!

[@utsuro1165]

My goal for 2024 is to become better to the point where I can draw what I have in my head which is full characters in dynamic poses, and get good enough where I can do some character design

[@CyberValeth]

My wish for 2024. Get my linework and sketches closer to the likes of my fave artists such as Luis Royo, Michael Turner, Frank Cho, Frank Frazetta, Brom primarily with some elements of others maybe. But point is I need to improve my sketching and line work game. I know I can get there. My other main goal, is to get my rendering skills up as well. Something so it looks better and colored. So basically the "fundamentals" but as for portfolio pieces Props, environment and characters/creatures. While I don't know what "level" I'd say I want to be at by year's end, I'd shoot for 4-6 out of 10 honestly.

[@pabloruiz821]

Right now, my goal is to make a good project to participate in the Rookies competition, then the second half of the year I would like to grow my social media while I make more portfolio

[@raeshawnshannon1155]

My Goal for 2024 is to finish my check in Japanese so I make and finish my own anime opening 30( In my head that is a mental final of all the gesture drawings I have learned). make at least 3 Zbrush and Blender sculptures that seems passable. And lastly Worldbuilding for my portfolio, while organizing.

[@rodanart]

My art goal is to get better at drawing and painting, and discover my artistic voice. The lack of it has generated me thoughts of "art is meaningless", i need to rediscover who I am.

[@Control_Z.]

My plan 2024 wish is to pass all my classes with good grades and to still be able to focus unwaveringly on practicing my art skills. I will be a conceit artist and game developer. I will be among the greats.

[@SundileArt]

I became a mom a few months ago and I realize how valuable my time is. I have less time to overthink - I only have time to DO things!! My goals this year are to learn how to paint traditionally; write and illustrate the first chapter of a comic I have in mind; improve drawing characters in perspective scenes; composition.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Congrats on the new baby!

[@TheLivingtodeath]

My goal for 2024 is to rework and grow my portfolio to finally land a job as a video game concept artist!

[@Thechaosprime]

Goals: Finish Short film before the end of my final semester Work on storyboard portfolio Work on my fundamentals Connect to people/network

[@MintyCow101]

my art goal: create art that looks like oil paintings, i love that smooth style. Id love to work on video games or be in one, one day :3 • keep practicing my anatomy and faces

[@josipafilipcic8894]

Hey👋. My goal for 2024 is to get my driving licence, improve my english skills, illustrate and publish one of my storys, improve my portfolio and get a job in some indie game studio as 2D artist. 🤞🙂 I wish luck to everyone to fufill your goals and be happy all the way.☺

[@shirshobanerjee7751]

My goal for 2024 is to get the first bit of a video game I’m working on complete. Not necessarily playable yet, just further out my head

[@dionisus7845]

I would try to become a comics artist. IDK how long it would take and how hard do i need to push myself but i'll definetely try it

[@Absyflabsy]

Goals: -Continue with my open university course in Illustration -Develop a higher level of art -Develop positive self-talk and confidence in my art -Do seom projects for myself to improve my portfolio -Have fun will doing it.

[@KimJImagery]

Just trying to get a job in anything art related except 3D cause I suck at it real bad:)

[@Heisenburg17]

I will get back to my original chill and simple works that worked best. 2023 I spend mastering the techniques and ended up earning less and doing more hard work.

[@zaqareemalcolm]

i just want to finish an artwork i started from May last year 😂 i guess its half having a reliable process/style and practicing craft

[@warehawk]

I'm trying to achieve my art goals this year! My only question is I would love feedback for is how long should you spend on a study? Say, if I'm learning to draw arms or heads, is it hindering me to spend 45 min-1 hour drawing a single head just trying to get it perfect to my liking, or should I do 20 minute bursts and even though it doesn't look "good" or "Correct" I should get 3 heads in instead of 1?

[@TrentKaniuga]

If you keep practicing, you will get faster as your understanding of the structure becomes more solidified. Its not dissimilar from learning piano or guitar. In the beginning, it is slow. But it gets faster as you gain knowledge.

[@Sanngot]

My wish for 2024 (after my wrist has finally healed) is to make a storyboarding portfolio good enough land a job in animation.

[@michaelrasmussen1342]

Couple of goals: 1. Just get better. Keep practicing daily if possible. Hammer fundamentals and push harder on speed. 2. I may push for more views, though, to be honest I’m not expecting much. I may also toss some résumés out to the industry, but again, I’m not expecting much. My thing is: I love to paint, but expecting to get out any kind of job out of it has been a psychological and emotional suck that has really bothered me. So I’m just going to try to get back to enjoying it and quit worrying about the job.

[@homemgalinhagalinha8078]

My goal this year is to get good enough to get a job

[@Unoraptormon]

My art goal is to get out an animation every quarter and to nail down my art style (I'm aiming for a Jak & Daxter style).

[@user-bw5tz1jv7j]

My goal is to get into art this is my first full year as a 16 year old artist and I wanna make this full time this is my only passion

[@christiansangwa6828]

My Goal is to finish my comic book and share it with the world.😊

[@agon3505]

My goal is to get better at 3D modeling hardsurface things also I want to be able to sketch these hard surface assets on 2D like space ships and guns etc

[@gamelogic5949]

🔥🔥🔥

[@selfgaming139]

Be a environment artists for paint that things that i can imagine

[@subterranean327]

Goal: Finish my comic book, and decide if i want to start working on issue 2 or move onto something else (probably the latter).