This speaks to my heart. I also left architecture about three years ago and started working as an illustrator. I am at a very weird position, where i do habe so very small clients but i don’t really know how to take the next step. Where to take the next step. Yes Architecture is respected, but it can be quiet brutal at times. That’s why i left and now i am really confused what to actually do with my drawings. This video is really great and it is nice to hear from someone experienced because no one around me is sharing any advice. Your doing a great job!!
Thanks Bia! The next step is whatever you can do, even if nobody's giving it to you or telling you what. One step at a time. I always recommend a daily project! October is a month of daily challenges like Inktober, Peptober, Peachtober, etc., so perhaps you can check that out on Instagram. I'm biased but a lot of people are doing the project from my class, The Style Class, their challenge. www.tomfroese.com/teaching
@@jubsdangelo yes! Because i finally published my first book last year and i am working on the Second right now. I feel so much more relaxed about everthing and Love being my own boss. It took Time to adjust to the Illustrator job and to actually find your niche and clients. But i did and i am very happy about it. It all takes time and hard work. But being able to draw all day is the best Part of this Job. I am very happy were i am in my Illustrator Carrier Right now. Have faith and Good Luck for everything 🍀
Thank you for your valuable insights Tom, this is something I needed to hear today. I'm thinking about finally giving illustation career a try this year or rather broaden my career options into this direction. I think it's important to remember to take things slowly one step at a time, things are not black and white although the media try to tell us otherwise. Your voice is so calming btw I should listen to your videos more often while I work 😂
I really needed a link about to be illustrator! Thank you for your work! But I I’m admiring your attempt to answer the questions without seeing her works, I think it might be more helpful to work review, this might be answer to all her questions.
Every one of your videos is so helpful, thank you for the really approachable, actionable steps! I find myself struggling to accept that I'm in the phase of needing to improve my work, but I feel so uplifted by what you talked about in using the opportunities you have now, even if it doesn't look like what I'd define success as. I'm excited to think a lot more about what those opportunities may be! I'm also convicted to learn how to better present the work I do have to hopefully connect with more illustrators and artists and have a community, because that is so valuable. Thanks for always offering an encouraging and realistic outlook!!
Hi Adi, thank you so much for your kind words. Hopefully you find more success by using some of the tips I've given here! Please let me know how it goes.
Wow! What an impressive and thorough answer to that question. Thank you for always giving so much of yourself when teaching. The scrabble analogy is so perfect too. Thank you!
Love watching these videos, Tom. They're just what I wish I had a resource starting out in illustration - though still super helpful now! Appreciate your taking the time to put these together and share.
Really helpful to hear to make sure I’m heading in the right direction - I’m a graphic designer putting in illustration practice whenever I can. Can’t wait to get into your new colour palette class, thanks Tom!
I've already given up, even though I spent two degrees in illustration and animation. It's all who you know... and things like covid, PTSD and mental health doesn't help the opportunity to network. I also generally find that people who initially show interest in your work pretend to be so, aren't very sympathetic to circumstances... or are not willing to pay you what your work is due in starting out. They want creative work for nothing... so animation / illustration has become a rewardless hobby for me.
Mi Michael, thank you for your comment. Your words really got me thinking a lot - so much that I made a whole video response about it. I see you clarified your thoughts in this post, so I may be responding to the wrong things. Either way, it's all to say, I hope you don't give up too soon, if a career as an illustrator/artist is your passion. There's no guarantees things will work out the way you expect or hope for, but adjusting your expectations and attitude can go a long way. Happy to hear your thoughts.
I liked the scrabble analogy :) It's interesting to hear your feedback to the question, Tom. Lots of great advice there. For me my one goal is to find joy in what I'm doing and sustain that joy. It's very easy to compare myself to others and want to be like them, chasing some false external goal. Or to see what others consider to be success, and want to achieve that. Commercial success is not important to me. I'm lucky to be able to not rely on illustration or art for an income. I've gotten burned out several times in work and in art and other endeavors. Here's hoping I'm on the right track this time, still growing but also enjoying the process and making sure I'm on the path that's right for me.
Thanks Keren. I couldn't even imagine illustrating just as a hobby, without the commercial success element. I don't know why, I feel like part of the thrill of this work is in being "in the game". Maybe, if I retire, I'll just go back to drawing in my sketchbook! Thanks for your thoughts as always. Your illustrations/projects are always a joy to see.
I relate so much to the person's problems. I've been searching for gigs since 1 year, no success. Only got a gig recently and now I've started learning other forms of design to diversify myself. However I still hope I can make it big in a couple years. Thanks for the advices Tom!
I have had a hard time finding any art directors that would be intrigued or feel they could align with my work. Every agency I find seem to all have a very similar style of work they represent and haven't found any that seek out and work with artists that are "grittier", grungy, and can sometimes be dark in nature. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough. One of my long term goals is being published in Psychology Today.
Hello! Yes, sometimes we have to do a lot of digging to find "our people". At the same time, getting a sense of whether there is a demand or market for your particular kind of illustration can be helpful too. Find illustrators you feel most similar to in terms of style and see what markets they are working in and who they are represented by (if any). It would also be good to get a portfolio review by someone in the industry. 3x3 magazine offers one on one zoom-based portfolio reviews … you should look them up. Thank you for your comment!
This speaks to my heart. I also left architecture about three years ago and started working as an illustrator. I am at a very weird position, where i do habe so very small clients but i don’t really know how to take the next step. Where to take the next step. Yes Architecture is respected, but it can be quiet brutal at times. That’s why i left and now i am really confused what to actually do with my drawings. This video is really great and it is nice to hear from someone experienced because no one around me is sharing any advice. Your doing a great job!!
Thanks Bia! The next step is whatever you can do, even if nobody's giving it to you or telling you what. One step at a time. I always recommend a daily project! October is a month of daily challenges like Inktober, Peptober, Peachtober, etc., so perhaps you can check that out on Instagram. I'm biased but a lot of people are doing the project from my class, The Style Class, their challenge. www.tomfroese.com/teaching
hi Bia! im in the same place. after 2 year could you say if worth left architecture to work as a illustrator?
@@jubsdangelo yes! Because i finally published my first book last year and i am working on the Second right now. I feel so much more relaxed about everthing and Love being my own boss. It took Time to adjust to the Illustrator job and to actually find your niche and clients. But i did and i am very happy about it. It all takes time and hard work. But being able to draw all day is the best Part of this Job. I am very happy were i am in my Illustrator Carrier Right now. Have faith and Good Luck for everything 🍀
Great video and love the scrabble analogy!
Thank you! One of my proudest analogies 😂
Thank you for your valuable insights Tom, this is something I needed to hear today. I'm thinking about finally giving illustation career a try this year or rather broaden my career options into this direction. I think it's important to remember to take things slowly one step at a time, things are not black and white although the media try to tell us otherwise. Your voice is so calming btw I should listen to your videos more often while I work 😂
Thanks! I have a whole podcast if you like hearing my voice 😂 and also if you want more tips!
I really needed a link about to be illustrator! Thank you for your work! But I I’m admiring your attempt to answer the questions without seeing her works, I think it might be more helpful to work review, this might be answer to all her questions.
Great suggestion!
Every one of your videos is so helpful, thank you for the really approachable, actionable steps! I find myself struggling to accept that I'm in the phase of needing to improve my work, but I feel so uplifted by what you talked about in using the opportunities you have now, even if it doesn't look like what I'd define success as. I'm excited to think a lot more about what those opportunities may be! I'm also convicted to learn how to better present the work I do have to hopefully connect with more illustrators and artists and have a community, because that is so valuable. Thanks for always offering an encouraging and realistic outlook!!
Hi Adi, thank you so much for your kind words. Hopefully you find more success by using some of the tips I've given here! Please let me know how it goes.
Wow! What an impressive and thorough answer to that question. Thank you for always giving so much of yourself when teaching. The scrabble analogy is so perfect too. Thank you!
Thorough is my middle name! Thanks, Portia!
Love watching these videos, Tom. They're just what I wish I had a resource starting out in illustration - though still super helpful now! Appreciate your taking the time to put these together and share.
Hi Hannah, so glad the videos are helpful. Thank you so much!
Really helpful to hear to make sure I’m heading in the right direction - I’m a graphic designer putting in illustration practice whenever I can. Can’t wait to get into your new colour palette class, thanks Tom!
Thanks Hykie!
Thanks Tom you have given me a lot to think about. I really found this video inspiring.
I feel motivated to plot out a new action plan for myself!
Awesome, thanks Lisa!
I've already given up, even though I spent two degrees in illustration and animation. It's all who you know... and things like covid, PTSD and mental health doesn't help the opportunity to network. I also generally find that people who initially show interest in your work pretend to be so, aren't very sympathetic to circumstances... or are not willing to pay you what your work is due in starting out. They want creative work for nothing... so animation / illustration has become a rewardless hobby for me.
Mi Michael, thank you for your comment. Your words really got me thinking a lot - so much that I made a whole video response about it. I see you clarified your thoughts in this post, so I may be responding to the wrong things. Either way, it's all to say, I hope you don't give up too soon, if a career as an illustrator/artist is your passion. There's no guarantees things will work out the way you expect or hope for, but adjusting your expectations and attitude can go a long way. Happy to hear your thoughts.
I liked the scrabble analogy :) It's interesting to hear your feedback to the question, Tom. Lots of great advice there.
For me my one goal is to find joy in what I'm doing and sustain that joy. It's very easy to compare myself to others and want to be like them, chasing some false external goal. Or to see what others consider to be success, and want to achieve that.
Commercial success is not important to me. I'm lucky to be able to not rely on illustration or art for an income. I've gotten burned out several times in work and in art and other endeavors. Here's hoping I'm on the right track this time, still growing but also enjoying the process and making sure I'm on the path that's right for me.
Thanks Keren. I couldn't even imagine illustrating just as a hobby, without the commercial success element. I don't know why, I feel like part of the thrill of this work is in being "in the game". Maybe, if I retire, I'll just go back to drawing in my sketchbook! Thanks for your thoughts as always. Your illustrations/projects are always a joy to see.
Thank you for these tips, Tom! And I'm so excited I found one of the free class codes!! Can't wait to watch, thank you!! 😊
Woohoo! Congrats on getting one of the links. Please enjoy the class and let me know how it goes!
@@TomFroese I will, for sure! Thanks again!
I relate so much to the person's problems. I've been searching for gigs since 1 year, no success. Only got a gig recently and now I've started learning other forms of design to diversify myself. However I still hope I can make it big in a couple years. Thanks for the advices Tom!
Thanks Sharanya! Yes, it takes longer than we might want or expect to get the ball rolling. So glad the video/question is relatable!
Wow, Tom, this is so helpful. Getting the work I want still feels really difficult. I really appreciate your good advice!
Thank you, Tara! It's so hard, and that's why I want to give people these more "mindset" tips and not just "how to" stuff. Thanks for watching!
Scrabble Metaphor = good
One of my best ;)
I have had a hard time finding any art directors that would be intrigued or feel they could align with my work. Every agency I find seem to all have a very similar style of work they represent and haven't found any that seek out and work with artists that are "grittier", grungy, and can sometimes be dark in nature. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough. One of my long term goals is being published in Psychology Today.
Hello! Yes, sometimes we have to do a lot of digging to find "our people". At the same time, getting a sense of whether there is a demand or market for your particular kind of illustration can be helpful too. Find illustrators you feel most similar to in terms of style and see what markets they are working in and who they are represented by (if any). It would also be good to get a portfolio review by someone in the industry. 3x3 magazine offers one on one zoom-based portfolio reviews … you should look them up. Thank you for your comment!