[MASTERCLASS] 10 mistakes aspiring illustrators make | Building your illustration career

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Are you ready to start the career of your dreams in illustration? Get started here! www.artbusinesswithness.com/level1

[@HellzSayzDANCE]

I am new to your channel, this video nearly made me cry. It’s incredibly relatable. I’ve just turned forty, I have kids, I’ve been drawing since I could pick up a pencil, and I’m studying part-time for a uni degree (not in illustration). All I want to be honest, is to spend my life illustrating. I’m looking into it, and you make so much sense, more than most other videos I’ve seen. Thank you

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Oh hun I'm so happy that you found this helpful! You've been drawing since you could hold a pencil and you're still drawing now, 40 years later. Art is in you and at this point, it's not leaving :) That's how I know you got this, and you'll find a way to make it happen no matter what. Good luck!!

[@jasonsadliberty1503]

your comment struck a chord within me and I simply had to express congratulations for taking the leap. we share this same lifeboat. I am 53 and have literally winged a 35 year art career not having a stitch of art training, no business acumen, or strategy,, living in Mexico, unemployable, because I didn't speak Spanish. Nor did I have a vehicle. I rode a bicycle with a basket on the handlebars with my paints and brushes in it, and cut up cardboard boxes to use as canvases, & I guess the worst of all things ( I keep hearing) I worked in 5 different art styles. ( yet they benefitted me greatly). cap that mess off with a complete ineptitude, mistrust and disdain for computers. The bright side? the absence of computers relegated me to extensive traditional reading and writing, and in its due time ; rewarded me with flowing Jeffersonian penmanship and an oceanic vocabulary at my command. Those two things and never letting go of my desire to create, and just be me, got me out. From sweeping floors at workout centers and painting their little sales ads on their glass front windows to eat street tacos at night. to winning AIG' Insurances 2014 Latin American heritage Art Exhibit-in Downtown Houston. where all of my works were selected, sent to and displayed at AIG world headquarters in New York for 3 months, a block from Wall Street. To sold works from coast to coast. No matter what...Never give up on you.!! REMEMBER.. YOU ARE THE DIAMOND!!! & ITS NEVER too late. Life will get in the way...ALWAYS, but all the crap we wade through in life forges us into the most resilient, creative, and what I love the most is....ADAPTABLE people on the planet !!... I wish you the very best of luck, keenness of insight, diligence, and unreserved patience as you begin your journey....🖌🕊♥

[@HellzSayzDANCE]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess Thank you for your kind words 🥰 Art is definitely inside me and runs through my veins 😃 I hope I can make a career from it one day soon!

[@HellzSayzDANCE]

@@jasonsadliberty1503 Your story is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing it with me (and anyone else here reading it) I appreciate it so much 🥰 Every time I get frustrated about not getting anywhere, I know I will think back to your story, thank you again for sharing it with me ❤️

[@geexy]

Thank you so much for your content. It is incredibly helpful!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thank you for stopping by Geexy, I'm happy that you enjoyed the class!

[@franziskakarres4119]

Thank you so much, i was afraid not being able to live with art, mostly because i thought that you had to relay on social media and Instagram crushed me. You make it seem doable and I'm gonna try:)

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Glad I could help Franziska! Bets of luck in your career :)

[@andreabajceta2232]

I live in Serbia and recently I illustrated some poems for 40$ per illustration. I made 8 illustrations and trust me, I should have charged more! It was exhausting, hard and not worth. In the end, I had more illustrations that got turned down than accepted and published. Always charge at least 10% more than you think you should.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

YES this is a common experience! We always forget wiggle room for feedback and tweaks which ALWAYS happen (even the best artists get tweak requests!)

[@asngy]

thank you so much, this made me tear up on the part about "being completely ready" I deff do not like rejection and i tell my hubs always "Try to be the best then ill apply" .. Start and go.. is the truth

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Very true hun! The illustrators who get the job aren't always the most skilled ones, sometimes it's just the ones that have put their name forward! Can't get the gig if you're not even in the running. It IS nerve-wracking to apply, and in truth we never feel truly ready. I'm doing a new round of queries right now and I still feel nervous about it! But this fear doesn't have to stop us :)

[@andrearevilla4354]

This content is great!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

That's so sweet Andrea

[@hirennyx]

I just saw your 1-2 videos and really liked the way you deliver your reasoning about working in this field. I'm a fellow aspiring Illustrator and I have bought the first level today. I'm really looking forward to start this journey and learn so much from you. Thank you Ness :)

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Hi Hiren! I'm so glad that you found the video helpful, and I wish you a warm welcome in the Art Business Bootcamp! I can't wait to help you build a wonderful portfolio!

[@rhondajohnson1075]

Thank you so much! I have learned alot!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

You are so welcome!

[@twominutesofdrawing4154]

Great tips. Thank you for gathering them. I should listen to this every week to stay on track. Thank you.

[@StickyDungeon]

Sagely advice from a real pro!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Thank you Ether, I'm happy that you found it helpful!

[@NC-ij9rb]

Hi Ness! I super agree with the pricing part

[@NC-ij9rb]

However, since I’m from the Philippines, self-publishers always assume that I charge dirt cheap. 😂😂😂 I always quote them a fair industry rate and then they always ghost me afterwards. I’m thinking of changing my address to Australia just for the hell of it. 🤣 I’m curious if things will actually change if I do it. 😂😂😂

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

It would be interesting to see if it does! The ghosting problem is common everywhere (I get it a lot in Canada too) but I wouldn't be surprised if some less than ethical companies reach out to talented artists in the Philippines specifically because they're expecting a low rate. If all artists would start quoting industry averages though, they couldn't take advantage anymore. Anyhow, you could get a P.O. box is a foreign country and try it out!

[@SaulWashington]

Thank you for making such a helpful channel.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

So nice of you!

[@nadyartillustration]

This is so great! I found the lessons very valuable, even while I’m working in the field for some time now, you made me rethink and re-evaluate some of my beliefs. Thank you ❤️

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I'm so happy to hear that even someone as advanced as you found this helpful!! It means a lot!

[@Everista]

very powerful video

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@maryiakapitsa6615]

Thank you for the video, Ness, it was good to refresh my knowledge I gained on your Bootcamp😀I am still working on my portfolio (while also working on new projects your course helped me to find) according to the plan and hope that next time I do mail sending I will gain my dream agent that will help me to get dream clients😊 I can't wait for the next levels classes, especially on copyrights and contracts!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Maryia!

[@littlepinkpebble]

ok gonna finally listen now as i paint

[@melisaydn8520]

Encourage me to first step to my career 🤗 I have been living all which you talking about in your videos ..I couldt find my way...you encouraged me thanks🙏

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

You got this!

[@byronrhodes1659]

You make me want to sign up for your class. I want to learn your ways. I’ve been drawing all my life and feel like I could really make a living doing illustration, I just need guidance with targeting clients and working a business. This is coming from a middle aged parent who has been doing jobs I don’t prefer for years and years. Maybe taking your class would change things for me. What do you think? I have to convince my wife the $ will be worth it.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

You can definitely make a living with illustration... whether or not you take my class! I probably shouldn't be saying that haha 😂 But it's true! What my class can help with is doing it faster. Not wasting time with trial and error, and costly mistakes. As well as having someone you can reach out to for guidance, for any questions, for portfolio reviews or double-checking where you're going. I get a lot of emails that say "HELP!! A client reached out to me with this offer, is this a good deal??" But if money is an issue, you CAN do it yourself. It will just take more time and effort (I know that time can be short for parents!) At any rate, don't buy anything just yet because I have a Black Friday deal coming up! So you have time to think about it 😉

[@byronrhodes1659]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess giving me reasons not to buy your course makes me want to buy it more. It’s a trust thing Ness, thanks for being genuine, honest and caring for artists trying to make it happen! If I buy the course I will definitely wait for Black Friday, thank you for all your hard work!

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@byronrhodes1659 Thank you for the kind words, Byron!

[@arlenevanvegchel9136]

Hi Ness! Thanks a lot for the insights on the illustration business that you've been sharing with your community! They really help. I just have a question or comment about pricing: It's possible that illustrators from a developing country (i.e. the Philippines) charge around USD5/hour because (the last time I checked) that's the going rate in that country. However, if the clients are from developed countries, then it's just fair for the said illustrators to charge the same rate as illustrators from developed countries. So maybe it depends where the clients/publishers are from in the case of illustrating books/editorial illustrations/packaging illustrations? I believe it's worth checking the rates of illustration services in the country where the client is and base the illustrator's rate on that. What do you think?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

That's a great point! Definitely if you're dealing with a local business, charging the going rate in your country is appropriate. It won't be charged in US dollars either! The problem arises when artists get work through the internet and charge a rate of $5 USD, because the offer is available all over the world. Clients from America or other countries can take advantage of this :(

[@littlepinkpebble]

only have 30 mins but thanks for sharing this is awesome! anyways i increased my rates after you email i'm only to 35 mins i will listen to the rest another day

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

I'm glad you're finding it useful hun! Haha yes it's pretty long, makes perfect sense to break it up into multiple sittings!

[@littlepinkpebble]

i finished it its super good! you're really honest and not gimmicky at all when i wan start looking for work i know what i need to do now

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@littlepinkpebble Awww thank you hun, I'm glad you liked it!!

[@littlepinkpebble]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess yes when i want to find jobs i know exactly the steps now thanks so much !

[@-Artbyp.smith1]

Ive not had any formal training with my art, can I still make a living with this?

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

Yes! Some studio jobs require a degree, but when it comes to freelance illustration, the only thing that matters is your portfolio. In fact, I have a degree and not one client has ever asked me about it 😅

[@Elizabeth-lu2tp]

About prices, it's completely true. It's also one of my biggest problems. Even though my art is very good and of high quality, I don't easily find clients. I believe that offering art at such low prices actually makes clients significantly reduce their budget for art and therefore they get a lot more art. Since in a country like the United States, a minimum wage can be above $1000, or going out to eat can usually cost around $50-60. So, it seems absurd and ridiculous to me that clients in groups like FB have budgets of less than $50 (especially if they are adults). Something like they obtain high-quality art in large quantities at extremely low prices.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

The low prices are unfortunately something that clients have come to expect, and that's our fault as artists. So many of us charge too low in an attempt to win the contracts over the competition, or just because we can because it's "just a hobby", but it's just a race to the bottom and it has only destroyed the public's understanding of how much art is worth, and most importantly what is a livable wage for artists.

[@reversamente]

2$ hour is enough to make a living here --- so it's important to realize that if u are from US you are on the same global market where people can make a living with the 2$/h

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

You're allowed to charge more than just the minimum you need to survive. US clients have the budget to pay $40-60 per hour, so why not take advantage of that and use their whole budget? :o

[@reversamente]

@@ArtBusinesswithNess well i tried... but it's better to get 10 comissions a week for 10$ each, than a single 50$ commission in the month. It's 8 times more money.

[@ArtBusinesswithNess]

@@reversamente But if you get 2 commissions of $50 each, that's $100 so it's more money :) It's a lot easier to sell 2 commissions than 8 commissions. If you can't find anyone who wants to pay $50, you're looking in the wrong place. The problem when you do cheap commissions is that you have to take more to make the same amount of money (so you have to do 8 drawings instead of just 2) so you're constantly working and don't have time to look for better opportunities. So you get stuck there and can't move up.