10 rules to survive the ART BUSINESS

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If you're looking to run a business around your art, you're going to have to develop a set of rules and guidelines to ensure your success. 10 rules to survive the ART BUSINESS. will cover some of the conclusions I've come to as to how I was able to create 3 successful art businesses, and earn my creative freedom to the point where I work on WHAT I want, WHEN i want, and for WHO I want while making as MUCH money as I want. If you want that kind of freedom, then these rules may help you survive.
1:22 Rule #1 Find a market, and develop that skill or product that already has demand
2:24 Rule #2 Take every job that comes your way
3:27 Rule #3 Expand your network and value people
5:36 Rule #4 Don't work with dishonest people
8:05 Rule #5 Plan for the Long Game. Know where you are going.
9:07 Rule #6 Invest in underdogs with great potential (not the big guys)
11:22 Rule #7 Always give more than you promised and always do your best work
13:05 Rule #8 Never lose your cool and don't burn bridges
15:07 Rule #9 Treat people like people
16:20 Rule #10 Become whatever you need in order to achieve your goals
Games I've worked on -
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

[@Spamkromite]

1:22 Rule #1 Find a market, and develop that skill or product that already has demand 2:24 Rule #2 Take every job that comes your way 3:27 Rule #3 Expand your network and value people 5:36 Rule #4 Don't work with dishonest people 8:05 Rule #5 Plan for the Long Game. Know where you are going. 9:07 Rule #6 Invest in underdogs with great potential (not the big guys) 11:22 Rule #7 Always give more than you promised and always do your best work 13:05 Rule #8 Never lose your cool and don't burn bridges 15:07 Rule #9 Treat people like people 16:20 Rule #10 Become whatever you need in order to achieve your goals

[@pengamatyoutube6499]

Very aspiring advice dude. Is true sometimes Underdog have great potential. And I Like work with them because sometimes they give me something valuable even is little. Still improving my English Sorry Btw.

[@iborjack4745]

thanks

[@mitchellsink2584]

Solid advice. You should always do your best. Because, at the end of the day, you have to live with the work you do. You should go to bed at night and say at least I tried my hardest.

[@MayoForBrains]

Last week I finished a project to illustrate the walls of an office. Everyday I came in and tried to come up with the best ideas and drawings,no matter the time or the effort it took. At the end I worked way too much for the price we agreed upon, and my client actually realised it. It created a true bond with the team and I got myself good publicity out of it.

[@Niko_3D]

2:40 is exactly where I am at currently at or was at and it nearly caused burnout. I hired two more people to help me out one is concept artist (thanks to you Trent she grew real fast with your box set tutorials) and another one is hard surface 3D artist. And we are not even working for AAA companies but we put focus on startups and small indie studios... It's insane how much this industry grows each day.

[@miketreadwell3640]

Thank God someone said this especially the "be a good person!" As far as jobs go. I've never turned down an offer either, no matter if I thought the subject was cool or not, take it! However, if you ever catch something from a client that's slightly negative or the dishonesty then do what you need to do and walk away, don't be mean about it, they may come back again, but you can always say you're not available for hire if you don't wanna work with them. I've had a few. Also if you get a customer who is somewhat high profile, just be cool with them no need to kiss their butt 💁‍♂️👌🙌

[@miketreadwell3640]

Also, I recently took an art job for a haunted house... Now, I love it cuz it's horror based and I'm for it but they value my skill and very much paying me 👌😁

[@lindseydietz604]

So right it's always good to leave a good impression 😂😂

[@MrTendo0]

I’ve been watching a ton of your videos over the past week. It’s really resonated and made my dreams feel achievable. I’m still a little lost and feel like I have to effectively scrap most of my work but I’m determined. Thank you.

[@ninja_tony]

Fantastic tips as always. Especially about learning what the market wants and how a lot of artists just do what they want without consideration for whether it will sell or not. That really is business 101, but as you said, is something so many artists seem to not understand.

[@savitrizuzanka1312]

When Im down… your advices raised me up.. thank you

[@dannysreeftank]

I seriously just like watching you draw need to take the time to start myself

[@luciareyna995]

Thank you for taking the time and care to share your knowledge with us, Trent. Your videos are amazing and you have helped me get through some rough times during my career. Money is always an stressor and I love your take on that particular topic.

[@lindseydietz604]

Love that your business advice is about integrity, because when you work for yourself that standard is on you! It just makes every part of the job better and makes it worth doing

[@gabe2o2]

Thanks Trent. Your videos, more often than not, manage to let me know I’m on the right track, yet also have much more to work on. I would say my biggest thing to improve (currently) is networking. I’m pretty introverted and overthink so many social interactions. Also to get better at art haha. I’ll keep pushing myself. I plan to reach my goals. Have a beautiful rest of your day everyone!

[@dominicisidore]

Thank you for this industry advice and creative thinking examples to be able to be successful. It's so great to hear someone else say these things that have been going through my head recently!

[@rubencastilleja6163]

This was really great... Well said

[@nekokna]

i am doing what i can to help small teams and i have never been happier. just i gotta remember to improve so i can help better and or with many things

[@Starlight25198]

Thank you so much! I was needing these rules and I think that they're so clever and honest, I will hope as you said that there's always a way to the success. 🙏🏻 Thank you so much for share this 😊

[@fatmanicus275]

Love your outlook and rules for art and life! It's good to hear someone thinking like me, so thankful for all you share man!

[@danielebonacini3004]

another great video, Trent!

[@benfletcher4633]

Thanks Trent. I find you an inspiring person. :)

[@newbreedartistzone]

100% sound advice for any business, I have had 30-person teams, and people would ask me, "How can you work with this person or that person." I would tell them as a leader, my goal is the outcome finding ways to make it work, working with a wide variety of personalities. I'm new to Animation, only 2 years in, but it is much like my other field in that it's a tiny world. One never knows who knows who. So I smile, do my work and Stay out of gossip.

[@pacefactor]

This is some helpful reminders. Thanks.

[@Mysticfox4]

I gotta say trent, this is my favorite video! I recently started doing the thing you said about indi games with potential and it is really fun! Not amazing pay but I know they appreciate the help. It makes me happy to hear that I'm doing something right!

[@Raven5563]

I love your advice, in particular the idea of venting about problematic issues via fiction! I may be trying that one out. 😉 I'm working and dealing with some of the situations you've addressed here, so this was a timely video for me to watch. And by the way, I'm loving your brushes. 😀

[@Defflin]

Thank you for putting all these wonderful advice. Your tips really inspire and help me a lot, specially the ones that packs a dose of tough love.

[@AaronW-GArt]

Trent's kung Fu is too strong

[@STierLuck]

ok, I goto college for graphic design I'm 50% towards my Bachelors Degree the thing I dislike a lot about this whole Degree is that we scratch topics I enjoy lets put painting for an example, I only have so many classes that will touch that topic and I wont necessarily get good or attain skill from it just basic knowledge. So as of recently I practiced painting in my own time, I do some sketching here and there but I'm no where near the level of taking on jobs or making money on this. For my position I like a lot of things in graphic design I don't necessarily think I want to stay In one spot of it, I like painting, I like drawing, I like concept art, I like logo designing. My networking is non existent I don't have a foot in any door and I've been looking for anything graphic design related (job wise) even internships but I've had no luck with that as of yet, I'm pretty lost in this art world.

[@rftm]

Honestly, a lot of these are just good for any business, not just the Art business.

[@jfv26]

I’m a writer and I feel a lot of these ideas can be applied for me too.

[@Gloom_YT]

thank you I needed to hear this

[@munalulamwiya550]

Thank you 🌟

[@vallenvega]

these are great advices, not just for art business. thanks!

[@namba3886]

I had a logo design job, which was my first job ever and.. Well feedback took days, directions were vague, and its been 1month since ive finished and still haven’t received payment. Given they said it would take about 2 months However it did give me my first experience, of commercial art and it was actually pretty damn good

[@NovaaGrind]

Thank you

[@Sayuui]

Thanks for this video trent! But I still don't understand why I attract art that has nothing to do with my portfolio when I get commissioned. It kinda frustrates me

[@doitbeforeyouareready6864]

Great advice in any field.

[@darioscomicschool1111]

Thank you so much!

[@pikachufan25]

Always Keep Learning the moment you stop learning is the Moment you stop growing... Learn from others and ask them questions but be Respectful they are Busy Persons. Yourself this, What things are they're Missing?, do i want to Fill that?. if the answer is no Search again... and if you do find it, ask the creator if he wants to Hired you: if the answer is no, move on and improve, But before Asking the Creator to Hire you make sure you Make a Excellent Portfolio to fit that Niche... Repeat until it works. and thats the Adapt Part. Good Luck Everyone cause we all have a interesting story to tell xD.

[@philokaren5236]

Nice

[@artzerial]

rule 10 straight reminds me of atomic habits, james clear said the same thing

[@heartstevenson7654]

Hi art teacher 🙋‍♀️

[@subterranean327]

Would you say there is still a customer base for comics as long as they're done well with a unique artistic flair?

[@TrentKaniuga]

Depends on your political view.

[@ninja_tony]

@@TrentKaniuga Ok, I'm genuinely curious what you mean. Unless the comic itself is political in nature, or the artist is very public with their own political views, how does that affect whether or not there's a customer base? I guess your response caught me off guard because it seems a bit irrelevant to the question being asked since they weren't talking about politics in the first place. But even if an artist was working on a comic that's political in nature, it seems pretty safe to say there would be a potential market for it, regardless of which way they lean. Nice video as always, your tips and advice always make total sense to me as someone that's been a lifelong artist that also happens to have a background and education in business as well. I always love seeing what you suggest and how it correlates to what I've seen in practice over the years.

[@subterranean327]

@@TrentKaniuga That's depressing.

[@ninja_tony]

@@subterranean327 Try not to look at it that way. I'm not entirely sure what he was implying, which is why I asked for clarification, but in general, a person's political view isn't going to matter when selling their art, because it's entirely irrelevant 99% of the time. And like I was getting at above, even in the event that it actually is relevant, like when working on political comics, it's only going to matter insomuch as it will push away those that disagree with whatever your stances are, but it will equally attract those that DO agree. There's a bunch of wild and ridiculous claims lately that people of...certain beliefs are being censored or "cancelled" because of their politics, but regardless of whether you believe that or not, it shouldn't have any bearing on your art if it isn't even political to begin with. And if it is political, then again, it will still have a potential following, and a lucrative one at that, regardless of which "side" you're on.

[@TrentKaniuga]

I think that these days, people buy comics for reasons bigger than the comic itself. The work should be good, the story should be good. But the customers "reason to buy" needs to be bigger than just that it's a well done comic. For example, my first comics were marketed as "heres 17 year old comic artist thats pretty good". That inspired a lot of 17 year olds out there! What I meant by my comment, is that you'll need to make a bold statement with what your work represents in order to get attention. Have a meaningful message, that resonates with people. That may upset other people, but you will need to be bold, about values that you hold IN the work.

[@reekooism]

Thank you 🙏

[@fromash5289]

So is your game 100% solo developed Trent? Just curious. I started out trying to get into making games but eventually found I liked making the art far more. Currently in a pretty good place right now and I can't shake the urge to jump back into solo gamedev, maybe actually ship something this time now that I'm older and wiser lol.

[@TrentKaniuga]

My first game Ikeda was solo developed, but with Twilight Monk , I’m working with a team.

[@fromash5289]

@@TrentKaniuga Ah very cool, I figured as much. Looking forward to it and good luck!

[@Kokose]

I always wondered how potential employer may look at my portfolio or me in general if I tell them that I have art business on the side. Let's say I sell artbooks, or some kind of comic or art prints. I know you have mentioned in one of your videos that ideally for studios - you don't really use social media very much as to prevent possible lawsuits and leaks most likely, but can this be an advantage? Is it worth investing my time into (other than some stability and security in case they let me go from a company) if I want to work for smaller indie studios?

[@TrentKaniuga]

You can’t sell work that you don’t own. But if your art sells…. Why would they not want you to make art that they can sell? Of course it’s good if you have a side business. Just don’t let it conflict with what they do:

[@jaycraig674]

I have a question I created unique drawings with for example names or messages for a customer when I just started clients was asking for a lots of modifications adding ,retracting ,changing my style,special price etc etc and at the end was just asking to much I deed 3 unique creations and 2 that I was supposed to make prints but the client don’t want me to sell my art to others clients(just took over and established is rule ) even comme back to me one year later to say tha one ove my creation that he youse to love and say it’s amazing now telling me I hated lol I managed to have a good ending with this client but still wanted to sell my to creation witch was not unique to this person my question his more about what to do with the 2 creations witch I put a lots of time cause lost of people like to have one .for future clients I adjust after this experience and now have no problem with customers

[@RedtheMudkip]

I really appreciate the insight in this video (and all of your videos). I'm curious about 5:36 -- maybe it's just something that comes with experience, but how can you tell if a contract or person will be dishonest/have a hidden agenda?

[@americancheese7383]

They only interact with people they can benefit from. They really don't care what the other person has to say. They heavily overpromise things. They constantly change their opinion to try and get what they want. They'll pretend to be nice until things don't go their way, then their true self reveals. Just some examples from personal experience. You get a feel for these kind of people after experiencing one of them.

[@TrentKaniuga]

A good “test” is to ask them to change a small thing in the contract. Example: “could we add a line to the contract that specifies what you said on the phone?” If they say no to something in writing, then you know what to expect from them:

[@RedtheMudkip]

Thank you! That's good to know.

[@The_Local_Blacksmith]

@@americancheese7383 It sounds like you're describing my past 3 bosses & current condo board president exactly. These types are everywhere--people need to watch themselves out there!

[@IsaacAssis]

é um gênio !!!

[@lui1115]

i met a guy in college that bragged about how he was gonna become a game developer and how he already has a team of ppl that are his friends that are gonna be part of it. I asked if he would consider me as an concept artist. (im no newbe either). And he pointed his nose up at me, not even giving me a chance or taking a look at my portfolio , he said, i have enough artists in my group i dont need any more. Im like... u havent even started u sob lol . but i guess man. i can respect if he doesn't need me, but to scoff at me before even considering the idea man

[@mattpace1026]

You kind of sound like you're not over that rejection. Not trying to insult you or anything, but your wording and grammar make it come across that way.

[@The_Local_Blacksmith]

I've met plenty of close-minded people, people who will not listen to anything I have to contribute--even if it will make or save them money. (Mostly bad bosses or managers.) They see themselves as above other people--better, smarter, more experienced--and so will not even consult others or acknowledge the skills of others in any way, let alone utilize them to benefit their business. But it's fine, most people don't want to work with anyone like that anyway. They tend to go through a lot of employees, not provide proper training, and generally don't respect others, then they complain that "you can't find good workers anymore" when in reality, the root of the problem is with them. I'd say you potentially dodged a bullet by not working with that dick.

[@midnighthound97]

Yoooo

[@BC-sh7en]

it would be awesome to be part of your team someday. I just hope I got a shiny portfolio ready to go when the opportunity comes up.

[@mattpace1026]

He doesn't have a team. He's an indie creator these days.

[@BC-sh7en]

@@mattpace1026 who knows what the future holds?

[@mattpace1026]

@@BC-sh7en Dude, he has outright said he's an indie creator from this point forward, and intends to do his projects entirely on his own. It's because he regrets working for big companies-probably why he has an underdog bias-and has no plans of making anything big. I get you want to work with your idol, but you gotta be realistic with your goals.

[@BC-sh7en]

@@mattpace1026 you know what, you are right. A ghost is running the aquatic moon website, and said ghost is also hiring animators specialized in fight sequences.

[@BC-sh7en]

@@mattpace1026 besides, i just said it would be awesome to be in his team 🤷 I never said it was my life goal, get real and go learn some English before trying to play the all knowing guru 😂🤣

[@Nogardtist]

if you cant be recognized then forget the option of art business fiverr even that saddest platform has competition and popularity ranking

[@mattpace1026]

Rules #4 and #8 are a bit contradictory, aren't they?

[@edwardteach1992]

yeah, #2 and #4 too

[@danrazART]

Err.... Tik tok and such artists thrive on fan feedback. Dude!