how I became a full-time illustrator | TIPS & TRICKS | freelance & independent

Now you know all my secrets! My ten year journey from pea-brain to head-empty. :^)
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[@Vegarcade]

I appreciate you mentioning the part-time job you had at the comic book shop, I recently decided to get a job again after pursuing freelance the last two years. I just want to take the pressure off having to produce for awhile and make the art I want to make instead of what clients want. I do think it's temporary but will ultimately help me on my journey, it's hard to not look at it as a step back but seeing other artists experience the same thing really helps.

[@ArtbyTuna]

you're completely right! I feel exactly the same way. having gone through it, I can confirm it was the right choice and kept me from completely burning out. I hope you can find the balance!!

[@KatelynMcCaigue]

This was a wonderful video and what I needed right now. ❤️ I’m about to lose my cozy day job with the contract ending and I have been hustling my art and KZbin on the side for about ten years now. I’ve decided to take a chance and do a part-time gig while trying to pursue my own art business a little more seriously. It was really cool to see how much your career has changed and how you’ve gone from full-time artist to then part-time at a comic shop and just all the changes that have happened in your career. It gives me a lot of comfort to see an artist I look up to who is hustling the business I would love to try to get to have just as random of a journey as I am haha! Thanks for sharing such an in-depth look at your experience❤

[@KryeMister]

better than most advice out there since this be derived from real world exp and not just content

[@artistamandamillar]

🥰 As one of your patrons, I can say, you are inspirational in all you do, and this video just high fives any artist having any doubts 😂 When you whispered "Hey I have a Patreon" as an example I was exposed 🥴 soooooo good! Thank you for sharing your journey ❤

[@ArtbyTuna]

Hahaha thank you so much Amanda!!! 🥰

[@Pianobelt-kx7nv]

Wow the whiplash hearing "Dorian" lol. I didn't realize you were the artist for that game! I think you'd left the app before I got involved with it, but its been an avenue of work for me lately. Nothing super consistent, but something to do on the side. Crazy that the internet brought me here looking into artist alley things! But I'm glad it did.

[@ArtbyTuna]

Oh that’s wild!! I am glad they’re still going and you’re able to work with them, they treated me well despite things not really working out together!

[@himbeerfalter]

What I see… with many artists I follow and admire… artists that built a carrier and have a healthy and sustainable relationship with art… they always say „my parents supported me and my decision“… and it makes me sad, because that is literally the only difference between them and me… and why I’m now struggling after so many years trying to be someone I’m not… trying to get a carrier that’s not what I wanted… because my mother forced me to „get a real job“… so many years lost… 😢 I’m glad for you though and it taught me that I will always listen to my children and support them in any way I can… 💜

[@ArtbyTuna]

I completely understand, and I do hear this a lot… so sorry!! I always try to be a positive influence, especially for those people. Remember, it is never too late to change paths (although it may be difficult), and there is nothing wrong with keeping art personal or only working part time!!

[@himbeerfalter]

Thank you 😊 Will definitely do… I finally cut ties with toxic relationships… 😅 I hope my comment wasn’t too much of a bummer… it was ment to be a lot more positive than it might sounded… 😊 The next generation will be 😚👌🏼

[@ArtWorkOfDR]

Loved Gaia online!

[@alirazalael8414]

First of all big thank you for the clarity of the subject. You thought and spoke precisely and on the point. And again thank you for this helpful video.

[@Christina24life]

This video was amazing to watch and listen too. You’ve definitely inspired me. I struggle a lot on the social aspect of an artist career and it really holds me back

[@nntsi9088]

Wow, I'm a very recent subscriber, so the receipts you have for your entire art journey has been very impressive. This has been a very interesting watch/listen. Thanks!

[@itskateeee]

This is only the second video I've seen from your channel and I love how you explain things haha I'm currently in the process of getting a full time job as an artist and this was really inspiring 💖 Thanks for sharing your story with us✨

[@OrleneE]

This is a really great video. Loved hearing about how your art career has evolved and transitioned between things over time.

[@comicspasta]

Thanks for sharing some of your journey with us! I've been following you for a quite a while and it's been fun seeing your style grow and change (both with art and with fashion/decor!). I've related to the ups and downs periods in my own attempts to freelance, I'm still crawling out of some major social media burnout now and wondering if I'll ever post consistently online again. But I think I'm learning how to enjoy my art just for me, and that's important i think.

[@ArtbyTuna]

Learning to make art for “you” really connects with me - I feel I am in a similar era myself now. Thank you for being along with me for the ride, and keep creating!! Never stop! 😊

[@luisdavidllense2293]

You're honest. And smart. And I love your work. Subscribed! Looking forward to more of your videos. Thanks!

[@stryxstruma]

ahhh toon this is so nice 🥹 i love hearing you monologue!! your videos are so relaxing and informative and it’s such a gift to get to know your creative process!! 💜

[@ArtbyTuna]

omg thank you for such a kind comment!!! I only hope to be able to share some of what I know with the world (and entertain at the same time!)

[@scribzscribbles]

I’m definitely inspired by you 🥰🥰🥰. I love your art. I’m so nervous that I won’t be able to make this my career and that my mental health is getting in the way of my success but I’m hopeful and I’m so excited to see what else you do! I’d love to become a patron one day

[@ArtbyTuna]

you can do it!!! it's hard work, and even doing it part time is rewarding. but mental health comes first, there is always time!

[@Seriinudesu]

Hey, I just found your videos yesterday and really like your the way you talk and listen to it in the background 😊 Of course I also like your art 😄 It was really interesting to hear your story and I'm excited for you to what comes next in your career 😊

[@tok_tj]

This came at the perfect time! I've just started my career journey to make content for my art business. Hoping to go to conventions, sell online and open commissions! All the while juggling a 9-5!!!!

[@Ydrakk-ff8wz]

Whoah, that was a ride. It feels like I’ve been listening for hours, I don’t think any other youtuber I’ve seen so far has covered so much detail and gone through so many years job by job. I’m curious what your workload is like. How many hours do you work a day? Is it mostly spent drawing or does managing contacts/patreon/socials take more time? Do you take weekends off? Do you ever take full breaks or vacations?

[@ArtbyTuna]

Hey!!! So many good questions, thank you for asking. I could probably make a follow up video, but long story short - I have struggled with work/life balance my whole career. Post-pandemic, I’ve been trying to do better, but I still work almost every day and consider myself a workaholic 😅 it’s a lot of admin (emails, scheduling, etc) AND a lot of drawing. So I need all the time I can find to do it all!

[@Ydrakk-ff8wz]

@@ArtbyTuna That makes sense. Thank you for taking the time. Yeah, hustling and struggling sounds like the norm, with a few outliers with people who slowly mastered their niche or are extremely market-driven, from what I’ve seen so far. I’m thinking about what my priorities are with doing art vs other markers of sustainability, and what industries might bring me any fulfillment or stability. The lack of a pay ceiling with art is appealing, doing work I love and would do anyways is appealing, the idea of prioritizing my ability to do art because its my job is appealing, but the starving artist trope isn’t groundless, too, right? And socializing and advocating for myself with money and stuff is such a weakness. Hearing what others have to share is really helpful for me right now, and I’m sure others feel similarly.

[@BlueBannette]

shout to the Cyber 6 love @ 8:28 -- i never see that~

[@AdarableKitten]

How do I get bites for commissions. I haven't gotten any in a very long time outside of just friends and family.

[@himbeerfalter]

Awwww I would have loved to see baby tuna drawings… 😙 I also have drawings from little me age 4, 5…

[@ArtbyTuna]

Gonna save it for another time… hehehe!!! Gotta treasure that old art, right?!

[@skyness_engine]

You guys make money with art?

[@jonjon7130]

is 30 years old to late to learn how to draw and make it your job

[@mingautumns4238]

Absolutely not! It is never too late for anything. Especially if it is something you are interested in or are really passionate about! If you want to do it, go for it!

[@sakurasharks]

The Gaia and tumblr eras are such a nostalgia trip omg, I was never a gaia gal but my dA circles had some crossover 😂 I agree with your point of creating hype for patreon/shop drops! It also allows people to financially prepare, so many times I've missed drops/launches because I didn't have the cash put aside 🥲

[@ArtbyTuna]

I totally dropped the ball on this shop drop too, hahah!! case and point! thanks Krys!

[@IzzyLo]

This was such an interesting video! You mentioned the zombie card game and you bet I googled it, found it, bought it and am waiting for its arrival! On to the next videos!

[@ArtbyTuna]

that is wild! I had no idea it was still available. I hope you enjoy!!!