Art career
Now what?
So, you're an illustrator and you want to start working professionally. Congrats! That's awesome. But now you're probably wondering how to get started.
There are a ton of different ways to make a living as an illustrator, from selling your own work, to earning royalties from licensers and publishers. It really depends on your interests and goals.
Portfolio 101
Here's a hot tip: start by building a strong portfolio. Without a portfolio it is impossible for you to show off your skills to a potential client. This is your most important asset as an illustrator, so make sure it's well-organized and showcases your best work.
Once you have a strong portfolio, you can start to market yourself and reach out to potential art agents, clients and publishers. There are many different ways to do this, such as emailing, attending art fairs, networking, doing the old traditional job application and/or having a solid presence on social media.
Either way, it is important to keep in mind that most art-related jobs are hidden and not advertised. Do your best to reach out, and you will eventually find something.
What about income?
Alright, fellow artists, let's talk money - specifically, active vs. passive income. In our creative world, we've got this cool opportunity to build up some passive income. But what's the deal with these two? Well, here's the scoop: active income is what you earn when you're actively working - think commissions, teaching gigs, freelancing. It's quick cash.
On the flip side, passive income rolls in without you having to constantly hustle. Examples of this could be licensing your art to various companies, which is also known as earning royalties, or selling digital products.
Both types of income are pretty darn crucial for keeping your finances stable during the different ups and downs of the economy.
Some artists prefer working with just active income, whilst others strive to be able to live off their incoming royalties. The latter one is a slow building process. Everything really depends on you and your values. Are you alright with commercialising your art and seeing it printed on cards and books? Or do you value the uniqueness of creating art with a deeper meaning that is not meant for everyone to see?