5 Essential Tips for Becoming a Successful Storyboard Artist

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 6 min read

As a budding storyboard artist, you might be wondering what it takes to transform your passion into a successful career. In this blog, we'll be discussing five essential tips that can help you become the storyboard artist you've always dreamed of being. Let's dive in!

1. Tip One: Practice Drawing Skills

Strong drawing skills are the backbone of a successful storyboard artist. By honing your skills in these three key areas, you'll be well-prepared to create compelling visual narratives.

Basic Sketching

Start by strengthening your basic sketching abilities. You don't need to be a fine artist, but being able to quickly and clearly communicate ideas through drawings is essential. Focus on:

Speed: As a storyboard artist, you'll need to draw quickly and efficiently.
Clarity: Make sure your drawings are easy to understand and interpret.
Consistency: Maintain a consistent style and level of detail throughout your work.

Anatomy and Perspective

Next, work on understanding human anatomy and perspective. This will help you depict characters and scenes accurately and bring life to your storyboards. Focus on:

Proportion: Learn the basics of human proportions and how to draw characters in various poses.
Perspective: Master one-, two-, and three-point perspectives to give your drawings depth and realism.
Dynamics: Study body language and movement to make your characters more expressive and engaging.

Shading and Texture

Lastly, develop your skills in shading and texture to make your drawings more visually appealing. This will help you convey lighting, mood, and atmosphere effectively. Focus on:

Lighting: Understand the basics of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and form in your drawings.
Texture: Learn to depict different materials, such as fabric, wood, and metal, through shading and line work.
Atmosphere: Use shading to create a sense of atmosphere and mood, enhancing your storyboards' emotional impact.

2. Tip Two: Learn Storyboarding Software

As a modern storyboard artist, digital tools are your best friends. Familiarizing yourself with industry-standard software can help you streamline your workflow and create professional storyboards. Let's take a look at some popular options:

Toon Boom Storyboard Pro

Designed specifically for storyboard artists, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro is a powerful tool that offers a wide range of features, including:

Drawing and sketching tools: Create detailed and expressive storyboards with a variety of brushes, pens, and pencils.
Timeline and animatics: Develop dynamic animatics and control the timing and pacing of your storyboards.
Camera tools: Experiment with camera movements and angles to enhance the visual storytelling of your boards.

Adobe Photoshop

While it's not specifically designed for storyboarding, Adobe Photoshop is a versatile and widely-used tool in the industry. Some of its useful features for storyboard artists include:

Layer management: Organize your drawings and sketches with layers, making edits and revisions easier.
Custom brushes: Create your own brushes to achieve the desired look and feel for your storyboards.
Integration with other Adobe software: Seamlessly transfer your work to other Adobe tools like After Effects for animatics or Premiere Pro for editing.

CelAction2D

CelAction2D is a popular choice for 2D animation and storyboarding, offering a user-friendly interface and powerful features:

Vector-based drawing tools: Achieve clean and crisp lines in your storyboards, making them easy to read and interpret.
Customizable hotkeys: Streamline your workflow by assigning your most-used actions to keyboard shortcuts.
Export options: Easily export your finished storyboards to various formats for sharing and presentation.

By mastering these storyboarding software options, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any project as a professional storyboard artist.

3. Tip Three: Build a Strong Portfolio

Your portfolio is your visual resume, showcasing your skills and creativity as a storyboard artist. To make a lasting impression on potential clients or employers, consider these tips for crafting a strong portfolio:

Showcase Versatility

Working on diverse projects helps demonstrate your adaptability and range as a storyboard artist. Be sure to include different styles, genres, and formats in your portfolio, such as:

Action sequences: Highlight your ability to convey dynamic movement and tension.
Character-driven scenes: Show your knack for capturing emotions and expressions.
Comedy and drama: Balance lighthearted and serious moments to display your storytelling versatility.

Present Neat and Clean Work

First impressions matter, and a tidy, well-organized portfolio is more likely to catch the eye of potential clients. To ensure your work is easy to read and understand, consider the following:

Clear line work: Use clean lines and legible drawings that effectively communicate your ideas.
Consistent formatting: Standardize the layout, fonts, and sizes across your storyboards for a polished look.
Labeling: Provide context for each project with a brief description, including the title, genre, and your role.

Feature Personal Projects

Personal projects are a great way to express your unique voice and vision as a storyboard artist. Including them in your portfolio can help you:

Display passion and initiative: Personal projects demonstrate your commitment to your craft, even outside of paid work.
Explore different styles: Experiment with techniques and styles that you might not have the opportunity to use in commercial projects.
Attract like-minded clients: Showcasing your creative interests can help you connect with clients who share your aesthetic and sensibilities.

With a diverse and polished portfolio, you'll be well on your way to establishing yourself as a successful storyboard artist.

4. Tip Four: Network with Industry Professionals

Connecting with other professionals in the animation and film industry is important for any aspiring storyboard artist. Networking can help you learn from others, gain exposure, and discover new opportunities. Here are some ways to start building your professional network:

Attend Animation Festivals

Animation festivals offer a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow artists, industry veterans, and potential employers. Look for events happening near you or consider traveling to well-known festivals such as:

Annecy International Animated Film Festival
Ottawa International Animation Festival
Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film

Remember to bring business cards and be prepared to discuss your work with others, as you never know who you might meet!

Join Online Forums

There are plenty of online communities where storyboard artists and animators can share their work, ask for feedback, and discuss the industry. Some popular forums include:

The Animation Guild
ConceptArt.org
Creative Planet Network

By participating in these communities, you can learn from others, share your knowledge, and make valuable connections.

Don't underestimate the power of social media in building your network. You can follow and engage with established storyboard artists, studios, and fellow enthusiasts on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Some tips for using social media effectively include:

Sharing your work regularly: Post your storyboards, sketches, and progress updates to showcase your skills and attract attention.
Engaging with others: Comment on, share, and like posts from other artists to foster connections and start conversations.
Joining relevant groups: Look for groups dedicated to storyboard artists or animation where you can share your work and ask for feedback.

By actively networking with industry professionals, you'll be better positioned to discover new opportunities and grow as a storyboard artist.

5. Tip Five: Never Stop Learning

As a storyboard artist, it's important to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and techniques. Continuously expanding your knowledge and skills will not only make you a better artist but also increase your chances of success in this competitive field. Here are some ways to keep learning:

Participate in Workshops

Workshops and seminars can be a great way to learn new skills and techniques directly from industry professionals. Look for events hosted by animation studios, schools, or industry organizations. Some workshops may focus on specific aspects of storyboarding, such as character design, composition, or visual storytelling, while others may cover broader topics relevant to the animation industry.

Online Courses

There are numerous online courses available that can help you improve as a storyboard artist. These courses often cover a wide range of topics, from foundational drawing skills to more advanced techniques. Some popular platforms that offer courses related to storyboarding and animation include:

Udemy
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
CGMasterAcademy

Many of these platforms offer both free and paid courses, allowing you to find the right learning experience for your needs and budget.

Follow Industry Blogs

Industry blogs are an excellent source of information and inspiration for storyboard artists. By following these blogs, you can stay informed about industry news, learn from expert insights, and discover new techniques to try in your own work. Some popular blogs related to storyboarding and animation include:

Cartoon Brew
Animation World Network (AWN)
Flooby Nooby

Remember that growth as a storyboard artist is an ongoing process. By committing to never stop learning, you'll be better equipped to adapt to changes in the industry and keep your skills sharp.

If you're looking to improve your concept art and storytelling skills, don't miss out on the workshop 'Enhancing Your Concept Art & Storytelling' by Lily Stock. This workshop will provide you with valuable techniques and insights, helping you take your creative storytelling to new heights.