Tips from an Illustrator for Achieving Your Dream Art Job

Ana Fedina might not be a widely recognized name, but her artwork is familiar to those who have played major titles such as "Diablo IV."

With a career spanning over seven years in the art world, Fedina has contributed her artistic talents to games like "Raid: Shadow Legends."

Her latest venture was creating illustrations for "The Armory of Heroes," a comprehensive artwork collection featuring characters and weapons published by Critical Role.

Originally, Fedina did not aim to become a game artist.

Reflecting on her early ambitions, Fedina told Business Insider, "I couldn't imagine turning my current passion into a career. Comic book artists seemed like unreachable idols, prompting me to consider a more traditional graphic design path."

However, during her university years, she realized that the gaming industry offered fulfilling opportunities for artists, and she decided to specialize in concept artistry.

A Tumblr Beginning

Before taking on her role with "The Armory of Heroes," Fedina was already a Critical Role enthusiast. The journey started on Tumblr, where she frequently browsed intriguing character designs on her feed.

These characters were part of Critical Role's second Twitch-streamed campaign, which later became an animated series on Prime Video.

"I'd always dreamed of collaborating with Critical Role, and while prior opportunities didn't manifest, the scale of this project exceeded my expectations," she recounted.

Eventually, Fedina was approached by an editor at Critical Role's publishing division, paving the way for her to contribute to the book over the span of a year, starting from January 2024. She crafted approximately 120 illustrations for this 216-page volume.

Attention to Detail

For "The Armory of Heroes," Fedina's creative process included extensive research, sketching drafts, and incorporating feedback from Critical Role's founders.

She received various suggestions, such as ensuring the practicality of weapon designs to avoid potential self-harm and adapting armor for personalization.

Fedina also utilized insights acquired from Twitch streams and infused personal nuances into character illustrations. One of Fedina's favorite subjects was Pike Trickfoot, whose armor she depicted with her unique flair.

Advice for Aspiring Artists

Fedina's primary suggestion for artists attempting to secure roles with companies akin to Critical Role is to broaden their artistic scope beyond fan art.

"To increase your range of job opportunities, you must explore character design and advanced illustration techniques," she advises. "Thoroughly understand the market's demands beyond popular fan creations."

She observed that many collaborating artists with Critical Role possessed a distinctive style that enriched the project.

Fedina emphasized that analyzing the portfolio requirements of potential clients is crucial for gaining roles.

"By studying the work of other artists associated with a client, you can discern their needs," she noted.

"Each job I landed was due to having relevant pieces in my portfolio. I believe my inclusion in Critical Role was largely because I offered weapon designs, not solely character art."

Fedina also highlighted the value of in-person networking.

"Being highly recommended often results from being known within the industry as not only a talented artist but an amenable colleague," she stated.

"Soft skills are just as vital, ensuring smooth collaboration. Rather than focusing solely on online likes, foster friendships, participate in insightful dialogues, and cultivate strong professional relationships."