We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joshua Baldwin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua , thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Some people go through an art program, learn a general method of creating and a metric to gauge the quality of their work. That knowledge and metric evolve as they find their voice. I don’t have a formal education. I learned through trial and error while creating. Any understanding of fundamentals (form, anatomy, light, color, etc.) I’ve learned as a teenager or while working to accomplish a specific image for myself or a client. Looking back, I could have consumed more tutorials to expedite my growth. It’s great to get foreign views & methods that you can alter or compare to your own that can positively impact creative growth. The largest obstacle hindering me was finding the time to study those tutorials, complete studies, and ensure that I only focused on the task in those moments.

Joshua , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a freelance illustrator and conceptual artist. I grew up reading comics and decided pretty early on that I wanted to pursue art as a career path. So while paying off debt after high school, I worked miscellaneous jobs while working on my craft. I focused on making images I wanted to see, mostly in science fiction. People would sparingly contract me to draw or paint something, primarily through word of mouth. Over the years, the number of people requesting work increased, but only recently have I transitioned to full-time freelance illustration, focusing on honing my brand, expanding my network, and fulfilling this dream I’ve had for so long. Most of my paid work lies in illustration. However, I’ve completed some conceptual work (primarily for myself), making multiple iterations to find the design with the proper function that works for the character, story, and world. I’m also a graphic designer on the backend, creating logos and event visuals, application tiles, and other miscellaneous visual design elements for small businesses.
I don’t strictly work with clients that align with my values, but thankfully most of my paid work has come from individuals who are building something I believe in. That inherently sows a certain amount of pride in my career, knowing that my art has an impact beyond just the colors on a page. Often my work contributes to a progressive message that promotes diversity, culture, and growth.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I heard a quote from Stan Lee some years ago where he mentioned he only created things for himself because he doesn’t really know other people; he only knows himself. I apply this message to my career, as with my personal work, I build things that I envision. With my clients, I strive to embed what makes my perspective unique in every image. I don’t necessarily create to please, I’m looking to remain authentic in my artwork, and that helps me resonate with my audience, build respect with my clients, and understanding from my peers. My strategy in growing my client base has been remaining patient, honest, and direct, from an initial meeting to delivering completed files.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The book, Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Glei has changed my approach to life. Drastically changing the way I structure my day, which helps me manage my time to be more efficient. It’s a read I return to often, especially to reflect on any changing responsibilities.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jbaldwinart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbaldwinart/
• Other: https://www.behance.net/joshbaldwi4baf

Image Credits
Factions: Battlegrounds