Written by Jeff Sanson
If one of my kids ever asked what I thought of their becoming an illustrator, I’d have to respond in the most honest way possible. I would tell them to expect a life of joy and pain. A career in illustration is not for everyone.
Looking back on the roller coaster ride of my illustration career, I’ve often wished someone had told me some things at the beginning of my career that I know now. Of course some of the best lessons are learned the hard way (through trial and error, success and failure), but a little early guidance would have gone a long way in smoothing the path on the course I chose so many years ago. With that in mind, for future illustrators, I’m listing some of those nuggets of wisdom that I had to learn the hard way.
• This is not an easy profession. Oh sure, it’s not as grueling as being a roofer in Texas on a hot August day, but expect long hours, compromise, a lower pay scale, and fierce competition for each opportunity.
• Stay versatile. Become versed in a variety of styles and mediums. Some of the best one style, one medium illustrators who were the post time favorite, finished last in the dash for work when their one trick pony became tired and not so trendy. There were some great airbrush illustrators who became obsolete when their styles and methods became outdated. Continue to grow and add more arrows of ability to your artistic quiver, and you’ll be more likely to target a sustainable future.
• The computer is your friend. Those of us who cut our teeth on the traditional mediums of painting, drawing, and using pastels were at a disadvantage if we couldn’t make the transition to adapting the craftsmanship, use of color and light, and our aesthetic ability to the computer. As with most businesses, time, efficiency, and budget have become more and more important over the years. Along with this, the clients’ needs to control, revise, and add to the project have also become an important factor. The computer has allowed illustrators to better meet these new demands. I would recommend that all students of illustration learn how to use Adobe Illustrator®, Adobe Photoshop®, and some type of 3D program like Maya®, 3ds Max®, or Modo®.
• Continue to grow. Don’t get complacent. Never assume that the needs of the market will stay the same. Don’t let circumstances beyond your control dictate your future. Stay ahead of the demands, and continue to sharpen your skills. Experiment and discover in your free time. Those illustrators that failed to do so found that working as store clerks, pastors, or teachers was their new reality. Although these are all fine and honorable professions, their abilities to survive as illustrators had passed them by.
• Feed the artistic beast within. Within every illustrator lives a fine artist trying to get out. It comes from within our souls, and is at the heart of who we are. We need to keep this passion for beauty, this need to create, and this desire to express our views of the world alive. Unfortunately, the illustration business often minimizes our artistic value. We are answering to others, communicating others’ ideas, and bottom line, we are concerned about time and money. I would recommend finding outlets of fine art whether it be making videos, music, jewelry, sculpture, drawing, painting, or something else. As an illustrator, you will have the experience, knowledge of design, the knowledge of composition, and the ability to charge into your medium of choice with courage, skill, and conviction. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how the emotional release, the fun, and the freedom that you will experience creating your own art satisfies your soul.
Being an illustrator is truly a roller coaster ride of a career. There will be times of both pride and disappointment. There will be times of ease and difficulty. There will be times that you’ll simultaneously think this is the best and hardest job in the world. Hold true to your artistic self, don’t get discouraged, and be thankful that you are not a roofer in Texas on a hot August day.