ArtStation Learning is Free and Here’s Why Being a Self-Taught Digital Freelance Artist is more Feasible

It’s a win for those contemplating on becoming a freelance digital artist. ArtStation used to have a monthly subscription which became the first barrier to aspiring digital artists. I know it’s cheap to just search for youtube tutorials on the subject but the quality isn’t as good as those premium tutorials. You want to get into the industry, you need to pay for learning materials from people who already know about the ins and outs of the industry.

Last year, Epic Games acquired ArtStation and made their ArtStation Learning for free for all indefinitely. It was a cause for celebration for artists that want to learn from the experts. I firmly believe that if we want nice things from our games, we need to support an environment that makes the barrier for entry easy for aspirants. Trying to put a paywall for education limits the competition and we just end up with a small pool of human resource capable of delivering quality games.

It’s still difficult for freelance digital artists to get into the industry without a degree or until they are amenable for cheap labor. Having access to premium materials enables artists to have options because digital art has several niche and more job opportunities are emerging thanks to cryptoart and NFTs.

Youtube tutorials were mostly chill blogs, hobby art, and vague tips. They were helpful for a specific problem but long term, it’s difficult to sell your credentials if you apply for professional work. It’s possible to make it big out there even with the handicaps but you’re not the only one aspiring to be a star.

Most of the artists I often look up to tend to have a self-taught backstory anyway. I think the part where they mentioned the art was a hobby and they have a full time job is often downplayed.

A decade ago, I was still deciding between pursuing a career in Healthcare over Fine Arts. Because job security was a priority and the starving artist stereotype existed, you already know which path I chose. There’s just not many options to live the life you want in a third world and being in a not so well fortunate family. But times have changed and now we can have all the resources we need to start and even job opportunities take into more forms that weren’t possible a decade ago. Sites like Patreon, social blockchains like Hive, and other art gimmicks as a side gig is now viable to put food on the table.

And ArtStation Learning isn’t the only resource material a starting artist can use. Sites like Pinterest, Pixiv, DeviantArt, Twitter, and Instagram are also free sources of references and forums. I found some tutorials from diverse members of the art community that are just as good as the premium materials. It’s a matter of taking charge with your own growth as an artist and connecting with others.

If you made it this far reading, thank you for your time.