An ideal image: an illustrator wakes up in the morning and first thing that comes up to his mind is ‘I am the happiest person in the world. I make money of drawing!’

But the reality is not so bright.

Countless nights of struggling with the project, multiple rejections from clients or illustrator agencies, or hopeless days of paperwork are not so motivating after all.

However, all the drawbacks can be balanced by simple rules that can improve the career of an illustrator. Here are the most important rules that can make your career more successful.

1. Don’t sit and wait

Promotion of your work is equally important as your creative activity. Do not wait for a client. Present yourself in every possible way whether it is an online platform or your own website. Minty is a great platform where you can display your work for free. It is used not only to sell your work but also communicate with the client about customised projects and thus (!) gain contacts for further projects. Plus: you should update as often as you can, use social networks to show that you are working hard and constantly (at least to appear to be a busy bee).

 

 

2. Draw, draw, draw

Practice makes perfect. It might sound terribly cliche but, frankly, it is a simple truth. As a starting illustrator, you might feel unconscious about not having a distinct style. Try not to think about that. The illustrator’s adaptability to conditions and requirements is sometimes more important for the client than his / her clear-cut style. Try to draw unselfconsciously because when that happens no artifice is in making and beautifully pure inner side is pulled from your heart.

 

 

3. Participate in a range of activities

It is great when an illustrator absorbs the surrounding world not only from his perspective but also from the perspective of others. Reading news, books or magazines might broaden your scope of knowledge but most importantly inspire you and bring your artwork to another level.

Additionally, being engaged in painting, web design or mural-painting might awaken your deepest muses and spur your creativity. Using different media and techniques, such as in painting, or learning about other ways to develop the concept can be incredibly flourishing for your illustration career.

 

 

4. Be a part of a community

Illustrating is rather solitary activity. As a counterbalance meet with other creatives after work or go working in an office occupied by other creatives. Their ideas and projects might inspire you – but do not copy (the plagiarism might result in an atrocious shame on your side).

 

 

Together with these rules do not forget that persistence, self-determination, and focus are the merits of every successful illustrator 🙂 It’s like swimming, you get to get into the water.

Illustration for this article was created by Eglė Plytnikaitė. Feel free to get in touch with her with some cool illustration project.