Career advice needed from practicing illustrators and/or visual artists?
I'm a stay at home mom who wants to pursue an illustration career. I want to use my free time at the end of my night to make it happen, even if it takes a long time. I'm hoping it could provide some supplemental income eventually although it's not a priority.
I'd like to hear from other working artists or illustrators about what the market is like, the competition, what's in demand, useful websites, other tips, or mistakes to avoid. Any constructive suggestions?
I have good formal training as an artist but not much work experience. I have amateur knowledge of graphics applications but I'm willing to study at home to get better - which programs and tutorial books are best? I also love to work traditionally without the computer. I'm stylistically flexible but I prefer doing anthropomorphic work geared towards a child audience or hip, urban stuff.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
okay, there are a couple things you ned to know. most "good" illustrators either work freelance or on-call for an ad agency, software knowledge is a must n the digital world. To be competitive in the world of illustration you need to be flexible (stylewise) however you must also devolp a look that is "yours".
I suggest the following literature:
How to be a successful illustrator : a practical guide
by Ray Evans
Publisher: London : Batsford, 1993.
ISBN: 0713466340 : 9780713466348 | OCLC: 28500281
Also check out about.com and http://www.wolist.com/wo/arts/illustration/
you can also look at my site : gothguy.sytes.net
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I’m not a professional illustrator, but I am in art school. I would suggest that you keep an updated portfolio and create an account on a site like deviantart.com for feedback.
References :
I would go into art licensing. There is a magazine you can get with the same name published by Avenstar. You have to get it directly from them.
I would buy all the back issues with the quarterly inserts about licensing. It will give you the quickest education on how that works, how to find agents, (lots advertise in the magazine also) and what kind of art work is licensed. You can make a large commission doing licensing. The top earners like Mary Englebrite earn around 150 million a year.
There is a big Licensing show at the Javits center in New York City the end of this month. Some of the major players will be there.
To upgrade your art skills go to http://www.newcenturytv.com and click on Artist. you can watch 5 hours of DVDS on line for around $6 a month which will improve your drawing and painting skills.
I have had some good success with licensing as well as selling my orginal artwork. Puzzels, trays, clock, limited editon prints, and open edtion print from europes largest publisher, Felix Rosenstiels. The skys the limit with licensing. You need a good publisher or agent, but Mary Englebrites agent is her husband.
References :
http://www.gingercookstudios.com
http://www.artchannelgalleries.com
okay, there are a couple things you ned to know. most "good" illustrators either work freelance or on-call for an ad agency, software knowledge is a must n the digital world. To be competitive in the world of illustration you need to be flexible (stylewise) however you must also devolp a look that is "yours".
I suggest the following literature:
How to be a successful illustrator : a practical guide
by Ray Evans
Publisher: London : Batsford, 1993.
ISBN: 0713466340 : 9780713466348 | OCLC: 28500281
Also check out about.com and http://www.wolist.com/wo/arts/illustration/
you can also look at my site : gothguy.sytes.net
References :