Freelance Editorial Illustration Careers: How to Start & Get Clients

Learn the nuts and bolts of how to start a career as a freelancer in editorial illustration. This video explains specific, concrete initiatives you can take to get your career freelance illustration jump started, as well as the challenges that come with a career in this field.
Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu, who interviews freelance illustrator Alex Kiesling. Alex's illustration clients include Adobe, Apple, Google, MTV, The New York Times, Robinhood, TripAdvisor, PLANADVISER, and more.
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Clara Lieu was an Adjunct Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design from 2007-2020. Her artwork has been exhibited at the International Print Center NY, the Currier Museum, Childs Gallery, the Davis Museum, and more. Lieu received an artist fellowship from the MA Cultural Council, has written for the NY Times, and lectured at Brown University, the NAEA conference, and in Vancouver & China. She has been profiled in Artsy, Hyperallergic, KPCC, & WBUR.
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[@artprof]

Watch our stream on What You Need To Know to Be a Freelance Artist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWqsm6iZh9anl7s

[@arnold2428]

There's so much gold in here, thank you for sharing!

[@artprof]

Glad you enjoyed it! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@khadijeha3042]

this video was amazing. Alex gave a lots of tips. Thank you guys

[@artprof]

Glad you enjoyed it! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@NateBear]

I was lucky enough to meet Alex briefly at pictoplasma. Partially inspired me to learn CG and digital scuplting on top of illustration

[@rominasantana6006]

Really interesting tips for freelancers, thank you for sharing!!

[@artprof]

You're so welcome! We're glad it was helpful :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

Excellent. Alex Kiesling gave some important advice, which dispelled many of the misconceptions and fears I have had about even just drawing regularly. I made a whole list of the points which inspired me the most, of which not worrying about style and exploration are the most important. Thanks for this video!

[@artprof]

Yes it's so hard to know, and to find reliable advice. Alex is wonderful, he's a true pro and knows his stuff! -Prof Lieu

[@angieschaffer8233]

The ice cream cones under the sprinkle cloud remind me of my chihuahua lol.

[@artprof]

Haha, chihuahuas are so cute! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@MummyBrown]

OMG, Broadway music is what hell must be like. I am DOWN with the nopin' out on it.

[@longbeachinthehouse]

Great interview!

[@artprof]

Woohoo! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@longbeachinthehouse]

@@artprof , by the way Alex comes across very approachable and relatable which adds to the appeal of the interview.

[@khadijeha3042]

I wish Art prof could make a video about time managements for freelance artists

[@artprof]

This video talks about time management in art school; many of the suggestions can be applied to freelance life. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKCleISNpbB3pcU -Prof Lieu

[@marielouiseweeksb33attitud33]

Very helpful

[@artprof]

Glad to hear that!! -Prof Lieu

[@icanthis4928]

I have gotten some clients from a simple cold emails. Just basic information about me and link to my website. Keep a spreadsheet to record what their response was.

[@artprof]

Thanks for sharing! That's a great way to reach out - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@neilagangitlog]

Still can't get over the fact that i can't play Broadway music on Prof Lieu's class 😩

[@artprof]

Remember, my classes at RISD were FIVE HOURS LONG! 😂 -Prof Lieu

[@neilagangitlog]

​@@artprofomg with your recent obsession with Aaron Tveit, has your opinion been changed about playing Broadway music in your class?

[@neilagangitlog]

I'm curious about learning blender, but I'm so overwhelmed because it seems so complicated. I also don't know if my laptop can handle the program 😂. Any thoughts?

[@alexkieslingart]

fortunately blender has an amazing community to learn from so finding solutions for any problems you might encounter should be no issue. Also not having a strong enough computer is a common problem. I would try the program out and build simple scenes at first just to see if you enjoy the process of CGI. If you want to go further you can always learn how to optimize your settings and workflow so you dont overwork your computer.

[@neilagangitlog]

@@alexkieslingart cool, thanks!

[@vivvygipe9605]

Ducky 3D has great Blender tutorials. This one's an easy one to start: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZCaYXhsedh8jKM

[@icanthis4928]

you could try low poly modeling - some artists have done amazing work using low poly and it takes less RAM . good luck! - CG cookie has a step by step free video tutorials for blender too . my laptop does video and some simple modeling with 16GB and i5 and HD 250 graphics.

[@tenaciousdude10]

man i thought all this time that alex was an octane kinda guy!

[@alexkieslingart]

I'm both! I just decided to switch over to redshift about 2 months ago

[@elizagraff9005]

Question: what is the difference between being a freelance illustrator and being an entrepreneur? Is one better than the other?

[@artprof]

A freelance illustrator can totally be an entrepreneur! An entrepreneur is someone who seeks out business opportunities and things of the sort, and a freelance illustrator is just a more specific label for someone who does commissioned artwork :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@xdidkwhattobecalled4174]

I want to become a freelance illustrator, I'm only 13 but I want to get better early. I feel like I'm really bad at digital art so I want to know how to get better

[@artprof]

You can do it!! It is truly all practice and passion, so keep up the hard work :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@SittinginAcoffeshop]

I want to start a Art Business. 🖐 Lots of support from Texas

[@artprof]

You should! Good luck to you, and thank you so much for watching :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff