Getting a Job as an Illustrator. The good, the bad and the ugly...

So, the good part is I have my work permit, my college degree, my portfolio (let's say it's finished although I feel it might never be), and a crazy willingness to follow my dream, but...what's next?

I guess that depends on everyone's journey; in my case, there is one thing, one very important thing I lack here in Canada: networking. I realized I wanted to pursue a career in children's illustration quite late in life, and before this decision, my network was related to other jobs that were not even remotely artistic. So basically I have to start from scratch in this industry in my 30s, in another country, and in another language. That sounds....bad? Maybe, but not impossible, and my delusional mind is saying "I'll get somewhere".

So these are the steps I'm taking to get a job and create a network:

• Find your people (Your niche, some would say).

  
  

  This is easier said than done; in my case, I have already picked a field in mind: children's illustration. But even with this, the possibilities are almost endless! So being specific about your niche is important, for example, I specifically thrive creating illustrations for an older audience—kids older than 7—where I can focus more on small details, perspective, storytelling, and backgrounds. Do some research on the final products to see what's out there and where you fit best.

  
  

• Research online for gatherings, conferences, groups, activities, etc.—places where others like you would be.

  
  

  This is one of my new habits: where do other illustrators or writers meet? For children's illustration, I recommend the SCBWI, which is always a good place to begin especially if you are in Canada or the US. They offer conferences, gatherings, and other resources that are useful to beginners. I also recently found a lot of opportunities at the local libraries. The Toronto Public Library website is well maintained and has multiple activities for children's books enthusiasts! This month alone, I found in-person author talks, 1:1 portfolio reviews, and online talks, so no matter your preferences or even where you are, the possibilities are there to find others like you.

  
  

• Use your socials! And really socialize.

This almost feels like a personal attack against an introvert, but yeah...we have to do it. Social media is here, and we cannot escape from it. In fact, we need to learn how to use it as an asset without burning out on the algorithm, wondering if the impostor syndrome is right. I wish I could say I understand perfectly how to do it, but I don't. I'm still navigating, trying to engage with my audience and be mindful there, but there are a million tutorials and resources, and I’ll probably talk about my findings on this topic in a future post.

• Keep learning.

  
  

  This is my favorite; I could be there studying for hours, as the bookworm I am. But what does it mean to study as an illustrator? For me, it means doing some research. Do you know what styles are trending now? How long has it been since you read a children's book yourself? If you want to improve, you need to know what is out there and where your portfolio stands. Quality is better than quantity, so don't create the same character in the same pose all over again. Do some variations and learn in the process!

  
  

  Children's illustration takes some liberties with perspective, stylization, and color, but you need to learn the rules to break them! So see what is lacking in your portfolio. Do you draw backgrounds? Older people? Are you inclusive? What about kids from different ages? Follow other artists who have those abilities you are lacking. Learn from them, study what they do, and where do they work or what do they do.

  
  

• Don't be afraid to become a seller!

  
  

  Not only a seller, but basically, as an illustrator, you will have plenty of different jobs, as you are the head and body of your company. This is probably the ugly part and the one many illustrators, including me, fear...once you are out there, it’s not enough to use social media to show your beautiful creations. You need to actually price them and promote them. Does it feel like asking for money? It shouldn't, as a professional, drawing is your work, and you need to be able to price it and charge for it. All of this is complex, but we are on the first step: promote your art and sell it! No free drawings, no exposure—sell your craft! Open your online shop, get out there and get on Fiverr, join Facebook groups, and post or comment. Create a commission sheet (if it works for you), stream, create a Patreon, a YouTube channel—monetize your art, damn it!

  
  

I guess in the end, my advice is: GET OUT THERE! If you want a job, you need to make yourself visible to potential clients, and that is not gonna happen by magic. As a shy person myself, I know it’s a struggle, and I still don’t know if it will be easier with practice. I'm still navigating this boat; I have my mind on the goal, and I'm here to try it. Are you?