The Business of Illustration
Jul
Going From zero2illo: Lessons Learned So Far (Part 2)
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Following on from Part 1 of lessons I’ve learned since embarking on this journey from full time Graphic Designer to full-time Illustrator, lets dive straight into Part 2:
5: Ask Questions
It’s easy to be intimidated by those illustrators whose work and careers you admire – thinking that they wouldn’t give you, a lowly aspiring illustrator, the time of day.
Don’t let this put you off – all of the established illustrators I have approached so far have been warm, friendly and only too happy to answer my questions. Some of the illustrators I’ve approached have also been kind enough to give me a thorough critique of my work too.
Not everyone will be super helpful and you may find, as I have, that on social networking sites like Twitter, Illustrators sometimes band together and can be a little cliquey – but don’t let this put you off, for all those people I’ve encountered I’ve also connected with 10 times as many illustrators that are only too happy to share their experience.
(NOTE: Asking questions is great, but be sure to give back too – platforms like Twitter shouldn’t be just about what you can get. Sharing the tips and experience that you’ve gathered on your journey with other aspiring illustrators is just as important.)
Remember, it’s also always a nice ego boost when someone likes your work and values your opinion enough to contact you for advice – your email may just make their day! Read the rest of this entry
Jun
My First Published Work
This September 4 of my illustrations will be featured in a new book by author Martin Dawber called ‘Big Book Of Contemporary Illustration’.
This is something that has been in the pipeline for a while now, but have only just heard from the author when the official release date will be.
Website addresses will be featured along side each illustrators work, so it will be interesting to see if the exposure results in any commissions – I’ll be sure to keep you updated.
You may be interested to know that I was approached to be featured in the book after the authors researchers found my work on Illustration Friday, having illustrated one of their weekly topics.
Taking part in weekly challenges like those on Illustration Friday is not only fun, a great way to practice and create new portfolio pieces – you also never know who else is watching!
May
Illustration: An Ideal Location Independent Job You Can Do From Anywhere?
How would you like to just get up from your desk and go for a walk on the beach with the sand between your toes one month and the next month be topping up your inspiration reserves with a stroll through one of the world’s most architecturally stunning cities?
Some of you may be lucky enough to live in a place that affords such things, but if not and it sounds appealing, then I may just have the solution for you… Read the rest of this entry
May
Week In Review & The Week Ahead 11th-17th May
Wow, where did the week go? This past week has been a great week for the day job, but not so great for illustration – that’s the way it goes sometimes and the bill paying work (which I’m very grateful to have) needs to take priority.
I did manage to fit in some work on the final ‘Mythical Beast’ illustration (will be adding the final touches to ‘The Medusa’ tomorrow) of the set and will be posting all of them together on the blog tomorrow as my entry for this weeks Illustration Friday topic ‘Parade’.
The Week Ahead
I read a great post on The Illustration Academy blog this week call ‘The Sketchbook Will Help Get You There’ about the importance of sketchbooks in helping illustrators to develop their own personal vision.
Developing my own personal style/vision is something I have struggled with for a long time and still do. The problem is that I enjoy working in a number of different styles and mediums, but don’t think I’ve found my own voice to bring these different methods of working together into a recognisable visual style of my own and take my work to the next level.
Take for instance James Jean or Dave McKean, these masters of their craft work in a number of styles and mediums, but you can still clearly tell that a piece of work has come from their hand.
This week, I’m going to (design & web work permitting) follow the advice from The Illustration Academy blog post and put a lot of work into my sketchbooks, have some fun and see what happens.
I’d love to hear from any other aspiring or established illustrators out there who also struggle with this constant battle of personal style or vision – please leave a comment and share your stories with everyone.
Apr
The Importance Of Multiple Revenue Streams For Illustrators
If you, like me, are just starting out on the road to becoming a professional illustrator it isn’t likely that those high-paying commissions will be flying through your door immediately.
Even for established illustrators it seems that it can often be a feast or famine situation, so how do you set things up to ride out the early days or slow periods of your career when those bills still need to be paid?
Apr
13 Super Useful Resources For Aspiring Illustrators
After scouring my list of favourites and trawling my feed reader, here’s a list of 13 super useful resources to inspire, inform and advise the aspiring (and experienced) illustrator.
I hope you find them as useful as I have and if you have any additions, please do comment and share your resources with everyone.
Resources For Advice & Industry Info:
Experienced & accomplished illustrator Sterling Hundley runs a great little advice blog with info about the business and practicalities of illustration.
Illustration Mundo ‘Ask A Pro’
Aside from being a great all round resource for Illustration, the Nate Williams run site Illustration Mundo, has a great section called ‘Ask a pro’ where he poses questions to experienced illustrators who then weigh in with their answers. Lots to learn here from the experienced professionals taking part. Read the rest of this entry
Mar
Pastel Experiments
Some recent pastel experiments…
Grizzly Bear – trying out different approaches for an animal themed ‘ABC’ book I’m planning.
