illustration
- Started
- Last post
- 43 Responses
- AlsoKnownAs
Any illustrators out there willing to impart some of your hard-earned insights?
I want to move into illustration, but I'm not sure what the best way of going about that it is.
Any advice would be very gratefully received.
- menia0
be prepared to work hard on this, the only way to success is to be unique and original as possible.
Good luck! :)
- AlsoKnownAs0
Are you an illustrator, Menia?
- menia0
yes
- AlsoKnownAs0
How long did it take you to break in to illustration?
Also, did you have to evolve your own unique style before you could get work or do you have different styles for different occasions?
- menia0
Its hard to find a job as an Illustrator at a company or anything, at least here in Greece, the best way to get money out of your madness (Illustrations) is to get enough yourself some nice freelances :)
- AlsoKnownAs0
Okay, so freelance is the way to go. Makes sense, thanks for that.
Do you use an illustration agency to get you freelance work or do you send your portfolio to magazines, art directors, etc?
- Ell0
My advice is to Get a good portfolio of work together with one cohesive style. Thats not to say you can only work in one medium. But commissioners of illustration like to know what they are going to get.I think the keyword is authorship. The most succesful illustrators are the ones who's work is easily indentifiable as theirs. Just get out there and see as many people who commission illustration as possible. You'll soon get a feel for what is working and what isn't. Good luck
- menia0
Currently Im working as an illustrator at a childrens site but I have to stick to the project's style... of course my style gets in there too, but its not 100% me! Thats the reason working as an Illustrator for other companies is not a total dream job. Freelancing is always you and always better money.
- AlsoKnownAs0
Thanks Ell.
Your point about authorship is taken.
One more question: How big a portfolio do you think I would need to have before starting to see people?
Eg. 5, 10 or 20 pieces. Obviously the more quality pieces the better, but do you have an intuition on what a would constitute a good starter porty?
- AlsoKnownAs0
Thanks Menia.
Do you have any links to your work? I'd be interested to see it.
- menia0
Just sent some eye candy to people and if its good, they'll love it, 3-4 pieces is fine , its better to show quality over quantity. Be confident and dont worry
- menia0
my site is still under constraction , it's going to be ready on September, holidays come first , the only work I have online is my bunny profile pic :P
- AlsoKnownAs0
Nice work Ell.
Just had a look, but I remember seeing your site a few months ago and thinking, hmm- interesting.
Don't mean to ask personal questions, but are you getting enough illustration work at the moment?
- AlsoKnownAs0
Menia, put me on your mailing list for when your site goes live :)
- menia0
ok also, i will.
this site is my nightmare!!
- Ell0
I agree with menia about quality over quantity.
I see you are based in London so get calling art directors and make some appointments. They mostly want to see some samples of your work before they agree to meet you so having an online portfolio is always a good idea. For your portfolio itself, no more than 10 sleeves and no bigger than a3.
- AlsoKnownAs0
Cheers, that's very useful info Ell.
- Ell0
Don't mean to ask personal questions, but are you getting enough illustration work at the moment?
AlsoKnownAs(aug 6 04, 03:51)
Not as much as i'd like! But there is work out there. Its just getting a piece of the pie, and the only way to do that is to let people know you exist. I've not been at it long so i'm still learning as I go and trying to get into print as much as I can.
In terms of agencies. There are lots in london, some good some bad. Most people will tell you ( if you can ) to resist the temptation to look for representation for as long as you can. When an agent is taking 30-35% you have to be sure having one is of maximum benefit to you.
- Ell0
also look at
- AlsoKnownAs0
>resist the temptation to look for representation
-------------That's interesting. Totally not what I had imagined. Thanks for mentioning.