A colorist applies color to various forms of art, including cartoons, movies, and comics. To become a colorist, attending an accredited art school or learning to use necessary software programs is required. While formal education is not necessary, it may limit job opportunities. A professional-looking portfolio is essential.
A colorist is an art professional who applies color to various forms of art. The most common types of colorist work involve cartoons, movies, and comics. To become a colorist, you generally must attend an accredited art school or learn to use the necessary software programs to successfully do the job. Actual requirements to enter this field vary by location and employers.
Originally, colorists worked using hand-drawn designs on sheets of paper and coloring items using special pens. This practice has largely been replaced by the use of computer software that allows the colorist to make changes and enter new colors more easily. The software used is usually very complex, so in order to become a colorist, you must learn to use these programs correctly. You can do this by attending a formal art school or by purchasing the software and practicing on your own.
While formal education is not always necessary to become a colorist, you should be aware that being self-taught may limit your job opportunities. Some companies may only hire those who have graduated from a well-known school, while others look at their body of work samples to make their decision. If you’re willing to take that risk, you can start your career by purchasing the appropriate software, along with manuals and books that teach you the craft.
If you choose to attend an art school or university, visit several potential schools before making a decision on where to get your education. You can find a good school by asking industry professionals where they received their training. Alumni can also provide valuable information about a school’s programs. Ask anyone you talk to about how challenging the course was and find out if he or she managed to become a colorist after graduation.
Once you graduate or fully learn your craft, you may be able to find work by checking the classifieds in your area and calling local employers that hire colorists. Find out what it would take to get hired, whether or not you need samples of work in a portfolio, and how many samples are needed. To create samples for your book, design your own images using appropriate software, or do pro bono work for companies or publications to gain experience.
Make sure your portfolio is professional looking. Your swatch book will be the first thing most employers notice about you, so it’s important to do your best. Choose your best works and put them in the book first. Leave out the initial artwork if you have enough samples without them. You should also purchase a professional art portfolio from a hardware store to display your work.
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