Specialist vs Generalist

Sometimes I get people asking me questions about art and I reply to them with a pretty long reply...  But I started thinking that maybe it would be good to post some of these replies so that they may help more than just one person.  Here is my response to someone who was told they need to learn many styles to in order to have a career as an artist:

When it comes to careers in art, there are really one of two camps you can join: specialist, or generalist. 

A specialist can't do many things, but can do one thing very very well. There are fewer of them, but they are often paid better. They may not get as many jobs though. A lot of people who make a living selling works on deviantart and at conventions are specialists. They just got really really good at the one thing they enjoy most. Now, you get better by drawing a lot, so if you are always doing what you love, chances are, you will draw more, so then by drawing more you will get better and it's a positive feedback loop. Because you have to worry less about drawing things you don't like, you end up getting a chance to really refine your work. 

A generalist on the other hand is more common in the professional world. They can mimic many styles and usually have a more stable job. They are more likely to be a drone at the studio, but one who can go from one job to another fairly easily. They are often working off the designs of a specialist. Because they are so general, they don't end up as popular and often have a harder time at conventions or selling online, but are more attractive to commercial employers. 

Both types require a lot of effort and for you to be at a very high level of skill. I wouldn't say a specialist puts in more work or effort, but I would say, because a specialist can focus on one style only, they can refine it so that it's at a much higher level. The generalist has to learn how to draw many things, and so has a lot more on their plate. 

To be successful as a specialist usually takes longer though. It's much more important for a specialist to be a self promoter and to have a big fan base. Because you're less likely to get hired by a studio ( compared to a generalist, simply because there are more positions available for generalists ) you need to have fans who love your work and who are willing to put down money for it. If studios see that your work is popular, they are more likely to hire you. 

In the end, it's really up to you which path you want to take. The generalist path is less risky, but the specialist has a chance for higher rewards.