Where are the painters, illustrators and graphic artists?
I’ve been keeping a close eye on the featured and popular pages on Red Bubble, and wondering where all the painters, illustrators and graphic artists are?! There are some AMAZING artists working in these media on the site, but it just seems like they’re all being lost in the system. I have nothing against photography or the photographers, but it’d be nice to see a more even spread.
So – do your bit!
- Upload your best painting, illustrative or graphic pieces
- Seek out painted and illustrated works
- Comment, fave and watch!
The popular algorithm is a closely guarded Red Bubble secret, however I’m sure doing the above things can help boost painting and illustration on this site.
I know we can all help bring attention to the amazing artists on this site who deserve to have a little light shone on them! I will go through my own watch list and select and feature artists who I think deserve to be a little more popular.
I have sent in my request to have an Illustration group on RB, and Kathleen emailed me back a few days later and said that many people had requested the same thing and that they were nutting out a plan for launching such a group. I really can’t wait, I do think a group dedicated to illustrators might be the shot in the arm needed for illustrative artists.
If you’re with me, let me know!! Spread the word!
(I have submitted this to a few groups, please let me know if this is appropriate – because I think it is, and highly beneficial to us all!!)
Firedrake
Yeah woohoo!
This site is apparently 80% photography, and I think that percentage will keep on creeping up as more and more people join.
I’m interested in an illustration group for sure!
Natalie Perkins
I’m interested to know why photography is so popular here! Perhaps when RB first started, photographers made up the largest percentage of users? I think it’s time we lured all our illustrator friends to RB!
Faizan Qureshi
Yeahhhh… let’s take over RB!! LOL
Natalie Perkins
Do you reckon the powers that be might put a stop to our coup?
ozjami
a very good point u raie..im with you !!
ozjami
raise *
Natalie Perkins
Horah! The illustrators alliance!
tambatoys
It’s funny when I joined there were so few illustrators on here it feels like there a lot now but compared to photographers we are still very small % GO ILLO’S
LittleHelen
I know when I was asked to do the featured page….I featured 7 illustrated or graphic artists and 2 photographers. Hopefully they got some recognition ;)
Natalie Perkins
Yay Helen! You rock :D
dendoo
yes hooray for illustrators, graphic designers! and there is a vector group already which is moderated by TBO, she’s really shining a light on illustration on RB
Teleis
yes, this site does seem to be geared toward photography….there is a lot of great photography, don’t get me wrong….i love it…but, being a more ‘traditional’ artist, it would be nice to see more of that type of thing…....i am on another site as well, which is definitely more geared to traditional art…..it is interesting to see which pieces get more looks, depending on the site…..both sites have been a great help to me
Paul McClintock
Can’t wait for the illustrators group!
Michelle Walker
Thats great…i was only thinking the other day “where the hell are all the painters in this site??” I see heaps of photographers and graphic/computer generated stuff put i find it relly hard to find other painters etc…
Good work!! I will keep my eyes open for more groups of this sort…..yay for the traditionalists!! lol
Dufflebag
Im actually working on a huge illustration job at the moment. Only thing letting me down though is that I dont have a wacom tablet at home. Gotta get me one of those. It might be done within the next month I hope. :<
Chris Richards
A friend of mine just joined, and she’s very into tattoo art as well as pencil and ink. I don’t know if she’s up for moderating or whatnot, but I can tell you she’ll be a nice contribution that other 20%. I’ll have to dig up some sketches and such, and finish that painting… Great idea though, Natalie! I’m with you, 100%!!
Natalie Perkins
@ Dufflebag
Tablets are great to work with but it’s hard going straight from drawing with a pencil and paperr to using the stylus and tablet. You might find you get a bit frustrated – I certainly did!
@ Richards
I’m honestly not sure how they’re going to pick a moderator for any Illustration group, because apparently quite a few people have asked for such a group to be set up!
Gracey
Well I see quite a bit of illustration work, as well as paintings and graphic arts – possibly because I have some of those artists on my watch lists. The main page usually features a variety of styles; so do the featured pages.
To be honest, I almost never look at what’s popular, though I tend to go through the “recents” quite often – I see a lot of good work from artists other than photographers.
And to be frank, I don’t sort what I like or what grabs my attention into “photography, or graphic arts or paintings” – it’s simply art regardless of what genre it’s in.
Natalie Perkins
@ Gracey
Because I love what I do and I want to get better at it, I am naturally curious about what other people are doing and who I can network with and talk to. That’s why I think this is such an important thing, and other people feel similarly too!
thickblackoutline
amen sister! i have asked the same thing myself in a JE!! good on ya!
Natalie Tyler
Count me in for an Illustration group! The Illustrators and designers seem to be well represented in the t-shirts category but I agree they are few and far between in the art tab.
Personally I haven’t uploaded any because I don’t have much confidence in my scanner! I guess it’s a much easier process to upload a photo. There are plenty of talented people on the site who are brilliant with a pen or brush but not so good with a scanner or photoshop. I’ve just scanned the forums and learning centre and there are more people asking how to do this than people with hints or tips. Perhaps those with a bit of experience could post some tips?
In the meantime, I might set myself a little project or two to get me out of my t-shirt comfort zone. Thanks for the “call to arms” Natalie!
Natalie Perkins
Natalie, my scanner is SUPER dodgy but I kind of like what it’s bringing to my latest pieces. It’s a bit gritty and raw!
You should definitely submit art pieces – I think some of your shirt designs could definitely stand up on their own!
Jo O'Brien
Yep, there are heaps more photographers on here. In you’re looking for something niche, or a particular method or style, I highly suggest checking out some groups to find out where they are all hiding :)
Damien Mason
bring on the illustrators! we shall overcome!
Mike Finley
as one of these irritating photographers, even as one of those irritating featured photographers …
... I have to say I agree with you! I was surprised at the number of photographers in the ‘featured’ pages.
Natalie Perkins
Don’t get me wrong Mike, photographers don’t irritate me! I’m in awe of what you guys do – it’s very much a meshing of science and maths and art that my brain can’t handle :P
revad
I consider myself a multi media artist, I even dare use photography occasionally LOL.
Having just read Natalie’s last comment the subject of much of my work may be a problem though :)
kernelcopia
yeh – an illustration group gets my vote! (BTW< I hope all you interested types also know about Illustrators Australia? http://www.illustratorsaustralia.com – a not for profit group for illustrators, run by illustrators :)
Luckyvegetable
Illustration group? I’m in! I’m new to RB, but I’m finding so much to inspire me here. Cant wait =)
Tigger
Hi
I would love an illustration/graphic design group. Although there is a graphic arts group they are very selective, I have been a designer for 12 years and they wouldn’t accept my work!!
(The Illustrators Austraiia is out of my league and area as i’m in UK)
I have recently embarked on illustration and this would be a great group for feedback and tips for a newbie like me!!
Upsidedownck
Hey,
I would be completely down with this.
I’m brand new and have a few photos uploaded, but I am mostly into painting and drawing
So I would love to have other artists in these fields to bond with!
William Hosie
I consider myself an artist who creates fine oil paintings and was told that this was a good place to display them. I have been on here almost two weeks and I have only one comment on the 17 pieces I have displayed. It would be nice to hear from those interested in illustrators and fine artists. William Hosie
Natalie Perkins replied
Hi William, this is a great place to display your art (and sell prints too if you’re into that kind of this!) I found that interacting with other artists, leaving comments and participating in the forums was a great way to have people stop by and comment on my work.
You have some magical scenes in your gallery!!
Stephen Haning
I think that a great deal of the problem is that those of us that draw spend our time, LOTS of time drawing, and planning drawings and the such. Photograghy is so much faster that they ( talented artists as well) have a bit more time to spend of the site and by default able to poduce more volume.
I will get back to drawing now.
gillsart
Start watching the home page and favoriting artist u like ..and then we can have our own fan base ..I can only churn out at the most 2-3 paintings a week …there are heaps of groups as well for individual interests…try puting in a few search words …..