living from art?

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A friend is good drawing, but is fearful of diving fully into it.

Fears: personal issues, doesn't know if there's $ in it.

So, doing art for a living, is it doable?

Lots of people have tried, succeeded, and failed. Drawing is a capability like writing and being able to do it well is always an asset but not necessarily any guarantee of financial success. It takes talent, hard work, a good business head, originality and lots and lots and lots of luck. But it's fun trying.

I seem to remember in art school being told that only about 14% make it, but that was long ago. I imagine it's worse now with this economy. I've never tried. Some things require self promotion and I'm not good at that.

Probably best to do it on the side (i.e., don't quit your day job... If the commissions come in, and the income starts to be more than pin money, them maybe so.

It's not me, it's a friend

I make art because it's my world and i can swim freely in it. It is not a choice for me to make art. It's the only thing that makes sense to me to do. i have to.
I have made a living for many years from art and music. i am very thankful for that.

i have been supporting myself solely with art for the last 12 years or so. anything is possible, especially when you have no understanding or care for social expectations. i got lucky and someone taught me the very marketable medium of tattooing. this in turn has given me the audience for my "art" art that a guy like me would never be able to find otherwise. i do think making a living on your creativity, talent, and obsession requires alot of sacrifice; a willingness to just do what is necessary to be happy.
"to thine own self be true." very easy to say very tough to do... even for an asperger.

No, it's whomever that wants to do it. It depends on the level of comfort you want; you can have adulation, favorable reviews, and a year later you're so 5 minutes ago.

It's generic advice. In all the years I've been doing art, I only have one picture requested, and couldn't do that because some of the items in the picture I didn't have copyright to...

it's always something.

my friend obviously has talent, he realized not so long ago that he could draw, but because of a full time work obviously he has had little time to explore that path more...
he is in a crossroad, does he try to do something more? does he continue where he is? He is kind of happy doing his day job, related to art, but it's not art. So well, he doesn't know what to do.

Cudney and JasonG, can you elaborate?

From my experience as an artist, not a drawer, but a musician, you realize that the whole "starving artist" bit really is true. Sometimes, it's better to have art as just a hobby, take commissions and stuff, but not rely on it as a main source of income.

Overall, I would say in this day and age, art is hardly a comfortable living.

I don't think it ever was.

First thing for him to do is spend some years developing his style, studying the history of the art, and studying the work of other artists. He should speak with accomplished professionals to see what they do. You haven't the slightest chance of success if you don't have highly developed skills and a wealth of knowledge on the subject. This is not an instantaneous condemnation. All of these things can be acquired through large amounts of effort over some years, the number of which varies widely.

Making money directly from one's creations is part of it, though artists throughout history are often employed as teachers to support themselves while they develop their craft.

An artist has to have a higher understanding of quality and maturity in art so that they may develop their craft with an informed mind. I can't stress this point enough: It has everything to do with studying the work of past masters, understanding their style, and understanding how they worked.

As for fear of money issues, as I said earlier teaching is an option that, as far as I know, can provide a stable income. Then you are directly involved with the essence of the subject and are getting an income for it.

i don't see being an artist as a business venture. yes, it has been my soul support for many years. but it is just what i always did. i don't believe there is a right or a wrong way to doing anything. i am a big fan of just being. maybe this is easier for me in my condition.
as for a comfortable living... it depends on what you consider comfortable. i am living a vagabond life currently. i have little possessions and have just been floating around the country staying with and tattooing with friends. all the other art made for arts sake gets produced in the journey and sold along the way.
no one can tell your friend how to go become an artist. there is no clear cut path that is guaranteed to take him there. if he is he will be.
that's my 2.5 cents.