How to Get Started as a Freelance Illustrator
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
- Knowing when and how to make the transition to freelance illustration can be intimidating. It's an incredibly personal decision informed by so many unique circumstances, but in this video I do my best to share some of my own experiences about being a full time freelance illustrator, and some good general things to keep in mind as you decide whether and when to take the leap for yourself.
We'll talk through the following points:
2:58 - Phases of a Freelance Illustration Career
11:11 - When to Transition to Full Time Freelance
21:56 - Things to Keep in Mind About Freelance Life
25:57 - Resources for Getting Started as a Freelance Illustrator
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Edited by the amazing Meg Potter -- THANK YOU, MEG!!
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Music:
Intro song - Cast of Pods by Dough Maxwell
Outro song - Mama’s Whisper by The 126ers
Disclosure:
Some of the links above may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you. This support helps me continue to be able to make videos, and take the time to link to all the art supplies & materials I use so that you guys can easily find them. I only link to products that I use personally on a regular basis, and feel comfortable recommending.
Oh god, I feel so identified. I also have a chronic illness. that is why I want to become an illustrator and be a freelancer because I studied laws, but my illness does not allow me to continue then I am returning to what I always wanted, life is giving me signs to be happy ... I think. Happy new year!!!
Valeria Navarro I’m the same, a chronic illness sufferers who wants to do freelance graphic design and illustration because I can do it from my bed! If you’re interested I have an illustration based Instagram all about life with chronic illness and it’s @thisthingtheycallrecovery 😊
Same I have a chronic illness and working as a freelancer is great but I don’t earn a full income! It’s also hard depending on my health. This was very helpful.
Just want to add my solidarity to this thread. While I would never wish chronic illness on anyone, there is a comfort in knowing that people understand what I deal with and how hard it is trying to achieve things when you're always mentally and/or physically sick. I have great appreciation for you for speaking honestly, and for Kendyll for providing all this helpful information to us. It's incredibly hard when I'm almost always pushing myself past breaking point, but not getting any positive results back.
I've been watching all your how-to's and tutorials and i THINK i am in love with you. I'm a very practical person and all these tips are so spot on and clear. Please never stop making these, they are amazing! Greetings from Peru
Thank you so much, Nuria!!😭💕💕💕 You have no idea how nice this was to read. Made my day!💗
That's a very helpful video and thank you for sharing. As a 3rd year student I am very scared of having to find a day job that will drain my creativity and I make me feel like I have failed or give up before I even start. Working part time during studies didn't make the thought of this easier either, but hearing you say that it is normal and that you went through it helps a lot to deal with it. And the stages of freelancing and tips also help as working freelance doesn't have a specific way you can take to become successful and it can be stressful for many people including myself, so thank you for breaking it down and giving tips
Kendyll, may you be blessed in abundance this year! YOU are such a blessing to your community!
It’s so great to know that having a job transition to illustrator can be messy during the exploring stage, coz that’s where I am now. Having self doubt and thinking of going back to office, wonder how long would it take to become a successful freelance illustrator.
If I had authority over TH-cam, I would put a 1 million subscribers to this channel as a way of support. Thank you so much!
This was unbelievably helpful! Thanks so much for posting!
Thanks for sharing! I’m one year in and still learning
6 years in and still learning! We're all on the journey together.💕
I like what you say about not putting any of these ways of working in order. There are times in my career when I am focusing on one of these areas more than the other.
Yes! Totally. Art is definitely more of a spiral/zig zag than a straight line!
Thank you so much!
Long?? This video is awesome!! Full of very useful and fantastic info!!! Thank you so much to share your knowledge with us! It is NOT easy to leave a full-time job and take the leap. I'm alone and I have to really think about before taking this step, but I thank you for your great advice. Happy New Year to you, Kendyll 💕💕
Thank you, Azzu!!💕😭 So encouraging and kind as always.
@@KendyllHillegas 💕💕💕
Great video! I have been watching your channel for a while, first time commenting. I have been freelancing for a couple years and can relate to the phases you talk about, and them being out of order! I am also working a day job part time to pay bills, and am thankful it is one that is pretty chill, and leaves me with enough energy to do creative work. Keep up the good work with the videos!
This was extremely helpful, thank you for discussing this topic!
Thank you so much!! I'm thrilled to hear that!💕
thank you very much!
So helpful!! Your list of the stages of a career was very enlightening
Super helpful, thank you so much for sharing!
Happy New year @Kendyll Hillegas! Have a great year ahead!
Thank you, Nancy! You too!💕
Such an informative video 👍👍👍
Kendyll, thank you so much for this video, it resinates with me soooo much! I'm a former Secondary School Art & Design Teacher, currently on maternity leave and working on self commissions as I transition to Freelance full time.
Although I used to dabble in freelance whilst working it's very scary (but equally exciting) to know that it'll soon be solely how I provide for my family, as Teaching does not allow for the healthy work/life balance I desire and need.
This video gives me life! Thank you :)
Yem Abiona good luck, Yem! I’m kind of in the same boat (without the maternity leave) and also petrified yet excited. Hahaha! Blessings to you this new year!!
@@FarlyCreates Thank you! It really is a mix of emotions isn't it! Wishing you all the best too! P.S love your portraits!!
THANK YOU for this video. It made me feel, that my decision was right. I decided to start this year as a halftime freelancer. I like to have the security of a dayjob, so I can create an overview about my work and check out, if I can work this way. So I change from 8h the day to only 6h to have more time for my creative work. I like it this way. For me it is possible to take small steps and it works well. :)
That's awesome, Anki! Thank you for sharing! I wish more people would talk about this as it's such an important way to approach freelancing. Yes, take the leap, but make sure you're ready first and have build up a good foundation for success!
@@KendyllHillegas Thank you, for your message. I will be careful, because I think too, that a good foundation is very important. I wish you luck and of course health!
Happy new year Kendyll!!! I hope you have an amazing year for your carrear and your lovely daughter! Greatings from Argentina
Yet another fantastic video! So educational and interesting!
I’ve only done phase 1/2 and suddenly had a phase 4/5 situation, but didn’t feel like i could take it on as I wasn’t experienced enough. I had no idea how to even approach the email I received let alone a contract or dealing with a business and their needs! Now i’m not sure when/if i ever will be ready to take on any commissions, as i am always worried about not producing things to the clients expectations. I can only annoy or disappoint myself when i only draw for myself! It’s definitely a dilemma for me right now as obviously an income is needed at some point! Excuse my ramblings, but i really appreciated you opening up about the emotional struggles and internal questions that can come with being freelance and the ways you dealt with it. Really inspiring. Thank you 💕
Thank you so much, Lu! That's really great to hear that it connected for you. Let me encourage you and say that the way you are feeling is totally normal.💕 I still have those concerns, I've just gotten better at turning down the volume on them. Once I realized that I'd never feel 100% confident, it was easier to understand that I just needed to go for it even while I still felt like a work in progress. Failure is a part of the process, and the only way to avoid it is to never try. I hope you can find a way to test the waters and be kind to yourself.💕☺️
Very helpful, Kendyll, thank you!
EXCELLENT video, thank you!
The book called The Freelancer’s Bible by Sara Horowitz is REALLY good at getting you in the mindset of becoming a freelancer. She goes over more of the detail “whys” on the importance over details of contracts, taxes, networking, growing, etc. People can find it used for $4ish. I’m starting my journey this month, not really with illustration but charcoal realism. I super appreciate the video and have saved it to come back to! Can’t wait to check out the podcast as well!
Happy New Year!
yay! happy new 2019! :)
just found you! where have you been all my life! :)
Right here!☺️☺️
I’m on phase 2 🤗
Good luck!! Keep at it. 💕💕
Hi I like your video, but could you put CC subtitle english please??
OMG I wish I have motivation. I love art and I draw but I always leave me art work incomplete. I am starting my BFA this semester 2019 and I am hoping I find the inspiration and motivation I'm looking for. Do you have any tips about how to stay inspired because I always end up giving up. I really want to upgrade my skills. BTW, your video is very helpful because I know I love art and I want to be an illustrator, but I was worried that I might not find a job with it.
Happy new year! Thank you so much for this Kendyll, so much sound advice! I have a growing Calligraphy/watercolour business in the Highlands of Scotland, branching out into wall calligraphy and possibly creating and designing blackboard walls for homes and restaurants... most of my work is commissioned but I do display art work locally. Would you advise Etsy? I’ve toyed with it for a while but keep hearing horror stories of no engagement/PayPal problems...?
question: is it a necessity to use AdobePhotoshop/ Illustrator?
No! I don't use either. But you will need to be able to use some kind of editing program if you work traditionally as removing the background texture is industry standard and is expected of professional illustrators. I use Pixelmator for this.
@@KendyllHillegas Thank you so much!
2020! 😀
Hi Kendyll. This is really interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing. Our latest episode is all about freelance photography. We've got some illustrators lined up for a future episode. It'd be great to hear what you thought of our videos. Thanks a lot - Sweet Truth.
Thanks, glad to hear it. Are you all on any of the podcast apps, or just TH-cam?
Kendyll Hillegas
We’re on Apple podcasts here - itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sweet-truth-podcast/id1448627543?mt=2
We’re on Spotify and Podbean and Acast and a bunch of others too.
Thanks a lot for getting back to us. Loving what you do. X
Very nice content, for me I have a daytime job I love and for which I have struggled a lot, but I feel like I want to do more and I am very insecure about my skills and how to approach possible clients. My dream would be to work for book covers, illustrations for children and poetry books, eventually covers for CD, and editorial illustrations, I am mostly insecure about where my style fits, do you have content to understand where we can fit? Thanks and have lovely day :)
Thank you so much, Emanuela! I totally hear you. That's such a challenging spot to be in. I actually have a video coming out next week about placing yourself in a market and how to find where your illustration fits. In the meantime, I'd start with this playlist as it has lots of similar themes: th-cam.com/play/PLD3sXoQ9uTswykL-ZJIjM03vieXPwBBTd.html
Hope that helps!💗
@@KendyllHillegas That's wonderful thank you very much, I will be happy to check the playlist and to wait for your video, you are very kind ;) BTW I started following you on Instagram I like you style, have a lovely weekend ;)
💙
Do you think GAG Guide can be used in the U.K.?
The values are in USD, but overall I think it would still be a good starting point for pricing. Pricing for editorial seems to be fairly consistent in the EU and the US, but pricing for packaging can vary a bit more.