How to use this Page

Tom,

You know, you can automate your list by going to http://twibes.com/ and setting up your list there. It automagically seems to tie into your current list and keeps it update with people who join it on their own, or who choose to leave it as well. You end up with a twibe and a twitter list that are mirrors of each other, and it pretty much becomes self-managing.

-Chris

Thanks Chris! I’ll definitely look into that. I’m glad to see that you’ve got some more episodes of Answers for Freelancers up. It’s been a while since I checked. I’ll add it to the podcast category on the resources page. I’m not sure why I haven’t yet.

To everyone else, Answers for Freelancers is a podcast that can be found at http://www.answers-for-freelancers.com/.

Check it out!
Thomas

My pleasure completely. I’ve been listening to your podcast, and have turned Bob onto it as well. Its really great to see so many new voices adding to the community. I think when we started in 2005, we felt like lone voices in the wilderness. But the art, design and illustration online community is growing like wildfire now, and shows like yours help to inspire us. Thanks for all your hard work, this is a great site.

-Chris

awesome!

Did it work?

Meeeow! Lookin’ sharp. I really enjoyed checking out the work in your portfolio as well. Very nice.

When I wrote this post, I realized that it was about time to update my own Gravatar, to bring it in line with the current branding on my Thomas James Illustration site.

hey, thank you! :)

Hi Mark!

I think there are few things to mention here. First off there are many illustrators doing all sorts of different styles. One thing to keep in mind: it’s not always the most talented that gets the job but the one who yells the loudest with big persistence and a “I wont take no for an answer” type approach.

Also, I do think that the markets you are discussing is licensing & packaging. If that is a market you want to pursue then do your research. Look up Licensing agents & companies and arm yourself with as much information as possible.

Lastly, if you feel you maybe looking in the wrong spots then determine what market or markets you would like to pursue then go from there. It will help narrow your research effort down a bit.

And yes Thomas, how do you get your pic on this thing? (Good question) :)

Cheers!

Hi Nic!

There are a few approaches here to consider. First off, when meeting with client have a illustration check list. Jot down as much information as possible about said project. If money needs to be discussed in this meeting then ask what budget they are thinking. Write that down. If you need time to come up with a quote then you will have all the information on a sheet to refer to. Never feel pressured to give a number right away if you are not comfortable. Also, when you all in agreement of the project, the price and time frame you will need a Letter of Agreement/Contract. From there you will progress into the idea stage/ roughs/ final roughs and then work on the final piece. All this revolves including the client in all stages that way everyone is in agreement. Keep in mind-Clients don’t like surprises so make sure you include them in the process. It helps to build a great creative relationship. Hope that helps. Cheers!

Hi Marcus!

I think this is a tough one for many including myself. I do think it helps to have a number in mind. What would your average hourly fee be and why? Do you know how long it takes to come up with roughs/sketches on an average project? Also I do believe that having a yearly fee idea helps because it makes you take a look at how you will get to that number. So if you want to make $50,000 a year-how much will the average month be? Doing it this way makes it easier to wrap your head around such a daunting thing as money. I know some illustrators who charge $50 an hour and some who charge $75 an hour. Both work differently and in different markets. If you have a number that works for you, know how to back it up and throw a little explanation their way. Again, it helps you feel comfortable and your client feel comfortable and less shocked! Plus, also it helps build a relationship with your client. Check out the books- Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines & The Designer’s Guide To Marketing And Pricing: How To Win Clients And What To Charge Them by Ilise Benun and Peleg Top. Hope that helps some. Cheers!

Clearly, I’d like to enter the contest, and thanks!!!!
I started to learn drawing some months ago using books and online resources. Actually sat down years ago to draw doodles from a cartooning book and liked it, so I had to try again. So I re-discovered my art bug. Now I’m interested in learning about illustration in all its forms. Sort of exploring creative expression, and would like to know more about the freelance aspect.

So you see, I don’t have much of an illustrator related item or anecdote to contribute, but I can tell you about my first big obstacle: time. Dayjob and family will take all of your day. Other than that, I’m slowly getting there. And I’m really enjoying the discoveries along the way.

I’m a beginner absorbing all the good advice I can find, and your interview was informative, helpful, and inspiring.
Thanks so much for sharing.
(checking out the show notes)

And btw: to get your picture to show up next to your comments, you have to have a wordpress.com account (with an avatar image uploaded) for the email address you use to leave comments then link them by signing in with the same email/pw combo over at http://en.gravatar.com

Like Thomas and most everyone else pricing was the most difficult thing to wrap my head around when first starting off. Ten years later it’s still difficult.

Pricing aside another question I still battle with is promotion, I’ve tried cold calling, direct mail, e-mail marketing, sourcebooks etc., all with mixed results. I have yet to discover that one thing that works best. There is probably no such thing. I imagine it’s just a little bit (or a lot) of everything. That and luck.

I’m curious what sort of promotional efforts work for other illustrators or if there is an avenue of promotion that I have totally overlooked.

Scott Serkland

Great interview with a lot of inspiring tips and resources, thanks!

My biggest question is how can I go about developing different styles and still have the client or audience remember / recognize me? I tend to like several topics and find that I have various styles for portraying different ones – for example, fashion vs. children’s illustration. I don’t want to be pigeon-holed into one particular style since I’d like to leave it open enough to be considered for more jobs. Any help?

Holly-

thanks for all the great replies to everyone. i’ve loved reading them and have learned quite a bit. cant wait to check out your book.

Thanks for sharing that method for getting a gravatar image. I think I’ll do a post soon to pass on this info so more Illustrators in the growing community can get an image to go with their comments if they want.

Thanks to everyone for their participation in this competition. And special thanks to Holly DeWolf for taking the time to address these questions. I hope you all find some valuable answers here. May it help you to move forward to all the future questions you will encounter in your career.

Thanks again for another great interview. Jonathan is a great inspiration to get out there and see the world.

Keep up the good work.

[...] Episode 9 – Zero 2 Illo « Escape From Illustration Island escapefromillustrationisland.com/2009/10/20/episode-9-zero-2-illo – view page – cached tags: audio interview, efii, escape from illustration island, illustration, jonathan woodward, Podcast, zero 2 illo by Thomas James — From the page [...]

Very inspiring and a lot of information in this podcast.
Great Job!

He’s so fresh, honest and straight forward. I can’t tell you how much i enjoyed finding this site and his. Thank you.

Great interview Thomas. Very valuable, honest and genuine information by Jonathan. Kudos to him for sharing his experience. I especially like that he is thinking outside the traditional box in terms of his market and opportunities for marketing his work outside the traditional avenues. He’s more entrepreneurial than most.

Thomas that is fantastic!!!! I’m really enjoying the site!
Love your blog and mood swings :))

Jonathan’s talking about being not a natural promoter of self is something I can really relate to – writers are observers not life of the party folk! The need to be blowing your own horn stuff vs look at me look at me is something I have struggles with too..

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback and love. Jonathan truly is a great inspiration, and I really enjoyed speaking with him.

Do any of the listeners out there do anything similar on their blogs, as far as sharing their efforts to break into the field?

To Whom It May Concern,
I’d like to submit my name for the drawing. I’ve really wanted to have one for the longest time. I used one in 2007 and miss it so much. I realize that I am a day late. Are you still accepting entries?

I invite you to see my website, http://www.lancasterillustrationanddesign.com.

Thank you,
Brian

Hello Brian,

Thanks for your note. I’ll be accepting entries until Sunday the 25th at midnight PST. There are instructions on how to enter in the first 10 minutes of Episode 9 of the Podcast.

Best of luck to you!