Art by Kim Rosenlof
Was I ripped off? What skills should I have before art school? Are brand collabs inauthentic? Get all the answers from illustrators Jake Parker, Lee White, and Will Terry in this episode
ASK A QUESTION
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SHOW LINKS
Samantha Cotterill- website, 3PP episode
Kazu Kibuishi- website, 3PP episode
Rebecca Green- website, 3PP episode
SCBWI
Jim Madsen
Loish
Piper Thibodeau
How to Fix Your Art
Developing Great Visual Stories class
Visualizing Drawing in Perspective class
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Success demands trust. Whether that’s with your online following, publishers, or others in your network, you’ll win most when you’re honest, reliable, and respectful of others. Stay authentic, and only negotiate with companies and individuals who are equally honest with you.
QUESTIONS
Carlianne asks: “I've been fortunate to grow a decent social media following since joining SVS, but I've started to receive requests for collabs with brands unrelated to my niche. Should I accept these opportunities since collaboration is a great way to grow, or should I stick to my illustration niche? Are there other ways to collab or to get sponsorships as an artist?”
While there are no hard-and-fast rules for this situation, we recommend only collaborating with brands you love. Your followers are interested in things relating to your work, so hawking random brands will feel not only disingenuous but disinteresting to them. It’s better to work with companies you’re loyal to (you can approach them if they don’t come to you first!).
Affiliate links are another great way to make a little dough without as much overt advertising. When you share an affiliate link to a product you love, you earn a percentage of each purchase made via that link. Reach out to your favorite art supply brands and see if they’re willing to give you affiliate status (and ensure you receive at least 25% of each purchase).
Honestly, your time online is best spent bringing attention to your work, whether that’s your shop, a Kickstarter, or your book (check out Carlianne’s book, How to Draw Adorable!).
Anonymous asks, “I responded to an ad by a small publisher seeking illustrators for YA books. They responded by requesting a test illustration for an unpublished story. It seemed weird that they were asking for a finished piece at 600 DPI, but I went for it because I was desperate. They replied several months later saying they loved it and wanted me to do another test. I thanked them for the opportunity and said I couldn’t accept unpaid work but would be happy to do it for a fee. Predictably, I never heard back. How common is it for clients to ask for test pieces, and should you get paid for ‘test’ work?”
It’s not uncommon for publishers to request test or spec work, but most will pay you for it. Never send high-resolution test images; keep the DPI around 72 so clients can’t use them in print.
If a client asks for spec work, consent if it’s an assignment you’d enjoy and could use as a portfolio piece. That way, even if you don’t get hired, you have an illustration that can attract similar work.
Amelia asks, “How important is marketing for people who want to be full-time illustrators?”
That depends on your goals and your skills. If you have serious illustration prowess and land a good agent, you don’t have to do much marketing at all. If your skills aren’t top-tier, or if you want to sell prints, run a Kickstarter, or launch your own project, marketing is necessary.
If you want to spend less time marketing online, focus on building your network of art directors and editors, people who hire artists. You can do this through LinkedIn or by attending events like SCBWI conferences.
No matter how you do or don’t market yourself, your illustration and storytelling abilities are what help you land jobs, make sales, and connect with people. Prioritize those skills, and you’ll find work no matter which route you take.
Leo asks, “I’m a high school art teacher developing a beginning illustration class as part of my curriculum. What do you wish your students understood before entering college art programs?”
We’d love every illustration student to start school knowing
the fundamentals: perspective, light and shadow, color theory, anatomy, gesture, composition, and design
how to draw from imagination and manipulate objects in space using perspective (check out this class to learn how)
how to recognize and convey an interesting story (learn that here)
how to do a master study, having done at least twenty from their field of interest (e.g., twenty comic master studies)
The classes on SVSLearn.com can help you master these skills and set you up for success, with or without an illustration degree!
We closed with a critique for Emily. Watch on Youtube to see her work and hear the guys’ advice!
LINKS
Jake Parker: mrjakeparker.com. Instagram: @jakeparker, Youtube: JakeParker44
Will Terry: willterry.com. Instagram: @willterryart, Youtube: WillTerryArt
Lee White: leewhiteillustration.com. Instagram: @leewhiteillo
Daniel Tu: danieltu.co.
Lily Camille Howell: lilycamille.com
If you like this episode, please share it, subscribe, and let us know your thoughts or if you learned something new!
If you want to be a part of the discussion and have your voice heard, join us at forum.svslearn.com.