Help please!

I’ve been a fan of ImagineFX for some years now. I purchase the magazine every month and find the resources very useful.

Like a lot of creative people, I have an overactive imagination and I’m glued to my drawing table all day, every day. Ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil and realise what it could do, I was hooked. It was my escape into an alternate world. But despite my passion, it’s still hard to get anywhere. I’ve worked commercially, I got a first in my degree and I still make people’s jaws drop with what I can do. I’m a traditional artist in every sense.

I’ve written to many people and places and generally don’t get a reply. Could you offer some help in how I would go freelance? I always wanted to be in game design, or illustrating for film or comics.

I know you must get a thousand letters like this every week, but I feel as though I’m sitting on wasted talent. I’ve tried everything and I’m stuck. I would be grateful for any advice you could offer, and if you ever need some art for the magazine, just let me know! You can see my work here: http://ifxm.ag/s-timms. Stephen, via email Claire replies Stephen, thanks so much for writing in. I’m sure your predicament mirrors that of many of our readers. You’ve had some training, your early work seems to affect people, but how do you get that big break in the industry? Luckily, you write in at just the right time, because on page 20 we’ve spoken to pro artists in the games industry about how they got their breaks – and the tips they want to pass on to aspiring professional artists. There’s some really good advice there that I hope will help you make the next step. But we certainly welcome more feedback from other artists – and aspiring artists – as to how they got their big break and any other advice they can share.