Today, I was asked in an Illustrator’s interview, “What words of advice do you have for artists/illustrators who are just beginning?”
And that’s when it hit me! I thought I’d answer that in this blog post!
Before you read further, please read this post to learn how you can become a full-time artist.
Heck, I’ve been an Illustrator and Comic artist for almost 6 years.
No doubt, I’ve done several things before this:
Like graphic designing, building websites, and blogging. But my learning process with illustrating could have been a little faster if I had known these 10 things beforehand.
So if you’re an Illustrator already or you’re planning on becoming one, you’re going to find these 10 points of wisdom extremely useful. Please scroll to the bottom if you want to see more posts like this:
Also, I send free drawing tutorials every week. So, if you’d like to keep up, please sign up here:
Ready, Freddy?
Letās begin.
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1. Discovering your art style takes time
Since I didn’t go to school for Illustrating or Art, I had to start from scratch.
And it definitely took me some time to understand where I was lacking and what I needed to improve.
You really need to strengthen the basics in order to become better at drawing.

Taking a course can really be helpful.
Because, it gets you further, faster. But since I started from the beginning, it took me a lot of time to find an art style that I was comfortable calling my own.
Joining Domestika really helped me become a better artist because I was able to improve my art skills tremendously!
And this can take months/years to develop.
The key is to keep drawing every day till you are happy with how the style of your illustrations.
It took me 6 months to develop my style of drawing characters. And now nearly 5 years later, you can see how much my style has evolved.

Please understand that it takes time to learn to draw.
So, you have to be patient and consistent.
2. Learn how to organize your finances
Before you start off as an Illustrator, it’s always best you keep aside some money.
Because you’re not going to land jobs right away and it is imperative that you’re able to focus on illustrating without having to worry about paying your rent and other bills.
That being said, learning how to spend money is crucial if you’re planning on becoming a Freelance Illustrator.

With time, you will learn how much you need to earn in a month in order to pay your bills and buy food and art materials.
Always remember to save money.
Because some months won’t be as good as the others. Especially when the financial year is ending. For these times, you’ll have to use what you’ve stored away.
So, learn to be wise with your money.
This is a crucial skill for any kind of artist or entrepreneur to survive.
3. Create, every single day
If you’re not working on a project for a client, use the time to experiment with a new style, or create an illustration to add to your portfolio.
Draw and illustrate every single day.
Practising daily develops your art style and you become better and better.
Learn how to draw without a reference. And practice drawing different styles of art.
Working on personal projects can be loads of fun. (This was how this blog was born) And that way, your work will never get boring. Always mix things up. Keep aside some time every day to work on something you want to do.
You can also keep a journal that’s fun and creative but at the same time records all your life events!
I really enjoyed starting digital art. It’s so easy to make cute little drawings and then create stickers and sell them.
I talk about more money-making opportunities for artists here.
I took a few classes on Domestika and really took my time with them.
I got myself an iPad and an Apple Pencil and started practicing.
Here are a few that I really liked:
This Class taught me how to use ProCreate
One of my favorite instructors is Vania Bachur. She teaches how to start illustrating, build a brand and then make your own merchandise to sell!
Click thttps://domestika.sjv.io/PyjbzYo see her classĀ
Unlike other course platforms, Domestika’s classes are extremely affordable and so good in quality. The best part is once you buy a class, you own it forever.
4. Never work for free and never work without an initial deposit
Working for free is NOT a good idea.
Please value your work, because if you don’t – no one else has a reason to either.

If you have a client and he/she cannot afford to pay you but will give you great exposure, do not fall for it. It’s never worth the time and effort you put in. Work for free only and only if it’s for a good cause, for egs: a charitable event or you’re building a portfolio
Be cautious because there are so many people out there who will leverage you for their own advantage especially if it’s to save their money.
Understand that drawing and art are legitimate businesses. You too have bills to pay and you need to value your time.
You’re not just charging for your skills, but for your time.
Whenever you work with a client, ensure you get at least a 50% deposit or the full amount if it’s a small illustration. Serious clients will never hesitate to pay you upfront, remember that.
If they’re haggling non-stop, let them go.
So, never work without the initial deposit, and never transfer the final files to your client before the whole amount is cleared.
5. Social Media can be your best friend and your worst enemy
Uploading your illustrations on social media like Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram is a wonderful way of getting your work in front of a lot of eyes.
Uploading my comics onto Instagram was probably the best thing that happened to me. I was able to land loads of client work and build a strong and fun community!
I got to work with so many companies that I had only dreamed of working with.
Read this post to learn how to sell art on Instagram.
And you can also read this post to learn how to get noticed on Instagram as an artist.
You will also attract influencers and companies that may want to work with you.
Not only will you remind people that you’re constantly creating, but your reach will also increase with every creation. Hence, it is important you create a Behance Profile/Instagram and upload your projects onto it. This is the best way to attract companies who are looking for illustrators to work with.

Read this post to learn how to get noticed on Instagram as an Artist.
However, Social Media algorithms are changing all the time. I grew my account to 180K followers before losing my account to a glitch. I had to either start from scratch or start something else.
I decided to start the Stray Curls blog instead.
And now I can proudly say that I’m making a full-time income from my blogs alone. I no longer need to work for clients.
So, don’t depend completely on social media. It’s a bad idea.
Always have a backup plan.
6. You cannot be a successful illustrator if you don’t know how to market yourself
Learn to market yourself.
Learn to write well.
Use your words to your full advantage because if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will have reason to. It was very difficult for me to put myself out there because I’m shy and I never want to come across as ‘sale-sy.’
You’re not just an Illustrator when you decide to become an Illustrator. I wish I could say that your illustrating skills were enough. But sadly, it’s not.
- You have to become a Salesperson.
- You have to become a Business Person.
- You have to become a Marketing Genius.
Because you have to promote your services, so you have to keep writing emails and pitching yourself to brands you want to work with.

And you cannot let one “No.” ruin your day.
This brings me to my next point.
7. You cannot take criticism personally
When you post your work online, you’re going to have both; good and bad comments. You cannot let the bad ones bring you down.
Some are going to criticize your work, some are going to make personal comments.
You have to learn how to handle unpleasant things in a fluid manner.
If your work is criticized, see if there is some truth in the comment and adjust accordingly. Always reply to comments in a positive and bright manner. This will show how professional and polite you are.
It can be very hard to read negative comments that are attacking you and stay calm. Hell, there were times when my whole day was ruined if I read a nasty comment. But remember this very important point…
If you’re going to be on the internet, you have to be ready for both: the good and the bad.
You’re going to receive praises and insults.
But it is up to you to hold your ground and constantly keep creating. People post negative comments for several reasons. They could be angry about something or are just having a rough day. They may not know how to word their feelings or they might be genuinely trying to bring you down. You never know…
Either way, you have to stay positive and develop skin as thick as a bull’s.
8. Keep a good balance of work and fun
It’s very easy to lose yourself in your work.
I’m of course talking from experience. You can work for 14 hours on a piece and totally forget that you’ve skipped both lunch and dinner.
It’s important to practice self-care as an artist. Otherwise, you’re going to burn out quickly and you’ll enter a period where you don’t even feel like drawing for weeks or months.
If you’re in that place now, read this post to learn how to get back into drawing after a long break.
Therefore, it’s very crucial to keep a record of the time you put into your work. Have dedicated time to check and reply to your emails, for research, and for work.
Make time for your family and friends.
And work out at least 30 minutes to an hour every single day. It’s very easy to gain weight as an Illustrator because our jobs have us on our bottoms from morning to evening.
9. Keep mini-goals and long-term goals
Unless you’re actually moving toward something, you’re not really getting anywhere. Mini-goals are more like weekly or monthly goals.
For example, I must get 5 clients this month.
Long-term goals are goals that you can have on a yearly basis.
For example, I must do one Children’s Book by the end of 2 years.

So, I keep a planner (I now use Apple notes) with all my goals in them. And I like to tick them as I complete them. This helps me feel very satisfied and I know where I’m headed.
10. Be patient
It’s very easy to get lost in the comparison train.
- Will I ever be as successful as her?
- Will I ever have as many illustration jobs as he does?
- Will I ever become a successful illustrator?
These are questions that will undeniably fill your mind at some point in time.
But, the key is to focus on your journey. So, instead of comparing your work with other people’s, compare your work with your own from last year or a few months prior.

Do not go down the comparison train at any cost. You have no idea how long that other artist has been working to get to that place or what hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
Just focus on your own art!
And that’s all for today’s post. I wanted to keep it light and airy.
Here are a few more posts that you might enjoy:
- 7 ways to get back into drawing after taking a long break
- How to start digital art
- How to respond to compliments as an artist
- Does drawing increase creativity? Explained
- How to draw when you don’t feel like drawing – 13 easy ways
- How to draw without a reference
- How to get better at drawing (for beginners)
- How to find your art style when youāre a beginner artist
- 13 signs you were meant to be an artist
- How long does it take to learn how to draw? (Explained)
- How to become a full-time artist without a degree
- How to sell art and make money on Instagram without a website
- 13 drawing mistakes most beginner artists make
- 9 drawing books for beginners
- Fun drawing gifts for children under 10 years old
- 13 easy ways to make money online as an artist
- 13 reasons why people like drawing + drawing benefits!
- 13 Ways to be a more Confident Artist
If you have any questions you’d like to be answered, feel free to leave a comment below.
Because I make it a point to reply to each and every single comment. And if your question requires a long answer, I will turn it into a blog post!
Angela your journey in the past year has been so amazing, itās evident with your amazing skills and love from your fans! I donāt even have a smidgen of drawing talent but this post makes so much sense… especially it coming from your own experience! Kudos!!
Hello Marissa,
You’re one of my biggest fans and I truly cherish you. <3 Thank you so much. Time seems to fly on my end, but I'm absolutely loving every step I take. Ha ha. Anyone can draw, sweetie. You just need to start. š
Have a lovely day!
Angela
Point 7 speaks to me on a personal level. There have been so many instances where I have been so so so disappointed by negative comments or not achieving what I thought I had. There have been times where I have stopped doing what I love just because someone criticised it and I know to become successful I need to know how to handle it but there’s still a long way…
Love your illustrations by the way <3
Hello Nandini,
I think this is the one thing we do not anticipate when getting into this field. Initially, I used to get bruised very easily and I’d take the comments personally. But later, I realized that it’s kinda silly to let it affect me emotionally. Especially since the people who post the negative comments don’t know me from Adam.
I can tell you this. It won’t be easy. Developing a thick skin takes time, but with time and experience, it becomes easier to handle. š Thank you so much. Do you illustrate too?
Lots of love,
Angela
That was a really good read. Thanks Angela.?
Hey Jeff,
Thank you so much. I’m going to need more photos of those cute puppies. <3
Have a great night!
Angela
Point 10 : Be Patient – āitās easy to get lost in the comparison trainā struck a chord.
It took me a while in life to realize that I only need to compete with myself to become a better version of me. And watching myself grow not only gives me satisfaction, but it is the actual measure of my success.
Hello Alisha,
You said it, spot on. In my early years, I’d often compare myself to others and man, did it drag me down! But I realized, we are all unique and we each have something special to offer to the world. It’s not fair to compare ourselves with others because we’re all in different trains.
I wish you loads of success!
Angela
Thank you so much for this! I often wish that there was a clear way to becoming a illustrator and this post was so insightful.
Hello Jeane,
You are most welcome. <3 Let me know if there's anything else you'd like me to shed light on, and I will. <3
Hugs and kisses,
Angela
The timing of this post can’t be better! I’ve just started with illustrations. I’m somewhere in the phase of finding my style. The blog post has a glimpse of everything that’s bothering me. Thanks for putting it up!
Angela keep that pen running, you’ve got crazy audience here, waiting!
Hello Gurmeet,
Thank you so much. I’m so glad you found it useful. Ah yes, finding your style will take some time but the journey is so beautiful. š I’m writing blog posts because I am finding it hard to sit down and draw, as I have a new pup but I’m really enjoying the writing experience. <3
Wishing you all the best with your Illustrating journey!
Angela
Wow this is a very helpful post.#Veryrelatable lol I get lost in my art and then I either love it or hate it.After that I kinda give up, and end up drawing 3 to 4 months later ,because I Guess I compare myself to much to many other Artist ,and like You said Its mostly Faliure until you get to the top.Oh and I love Your comic very cute and relatable as well as funny.I believe you will be very rich one day.
Hello Katherine!
Love your name by the way. I’m really glad you found it helpful. I used to do that a lot when I was growing up. I’d love my art, then hate it, and quit drawing for months on end. It’s so funny, I thought I was the only one doing that. I never realized that everyone faces it as some point in time.
Don’t ever give up on your art. Art only becomes amazing, if you keep practicing. Trust me. I wasted way too much time doing the opposite.
I don’t know about being rich, but I do want to make an impression on the world. And that’s my long term goal. š
Wishing you all the best!
Angela
Hii,
Can you make a blogpost about bullet journal ideas? Also youāre so kind and I love your comics?
Hello Madhu,
I’ve actually gotten a lot of requests on Bullet Journalling, but I only use bullets or arrows to indicate points or directions. I’m going to do more research on this and implement them in my notebook creating a post.
Thank you so much! You’re very sweet!
Lots of love,
Angela
Hello,
I started @hood.n.cape on instagram this December, and you have been my inspiration for the same. I have been observing your art and approach, and that how sweetly you address any issue through your comics; all pushed me to start my own page. I have a lot of queries, as a novice. A few of them are:
1) How do you know when to start commercializing your art?
2) How do you ship overseas? Won’t that cost a lot?
3) How did you get the courage to charge for your illustration for the first time? I feel so hesitant.
4) How do you decide on the price of your product?
5) Do your products involve shipping charges, or exclude them?
6) Did you wait for building up enough audience ( eg. Followers on Instagram) before selling your art, or sales of your art led to an audience?
7) You spoke about marketing, how did you learn to do marketing?
8) I don’t do digital art, rather I do water paint and edit it later on to give it a digital effect, do you think that’s a nice idea?
9) Is becoming a full-time artist a nice idea?
10) How do you find the toon star app? Or do you think sticking to comics is better?
Much love
Thanks a lot.
Hello Zahra,
I just took a peek at your work, and I think it’s absolutely incredible – your illustrations that is. I find the drawing style absolutely adorable and I hope you make dolls one day. <3
1) Commercializing takes time. I waited a whole year. When I knew my comics were getting loads of comments and my followers were enough, I tried putting it on my Instagram story. I even created a website and listed my services there. It takes time to get the ball rolling but unless you try, you'll never know.
2) Work for my clients is always digital, so unless they ask for a print, I don't ship it. Talk to your local post office, and get an idea of the rates. Then you charge the client for the shipping.
3) You should never work for free. Remember, you are drawing for a living. And you're taking time to complete each drawing. This is definitely worth your client's money.
4) I did a lot of online research and based the prices weighing the current economy as well as the manufacturing costs.
5) My products involve the shipping charges. Since I stay in India, I'm really lucky that my shipping charges are the bare minimal. So I don't have to charge much.
6) I haven't sold any art yet. I only sell merchandise and do commissions for my clients. It's constant advertising. Unless you keep reminding your audience that you're up for commissions, no one will remember. Everyone is busy. You have to constantly be there.
7) I read a lot of blog posts. I don't think I'm the Queen of Marketing, because there is so much I still have to learn. I spend a lot of time reading about how to market this and that. Google is my best friend.
8) I think it looks fabulous as I already mentioned. But you shouldn't take my word for it. You're an artist and no one should have to tell you the rules. <3
9) Of course! It's been my dream!
10) Toonstar found us. It's an app that wanted to make comics into cartoons. I prefer the comics. š Like I said earlier, I love reading.
I hope I was able to answer all your questions. Let me know if you have any more, and I'll be glad to answer them for you!
Lots of love and hugs!
Angela
I am not much of a writer but I love drawing and illustrating.. trying my best to learn and improve each passing day. This post is sooo helpful and all I have to say is
I loved it! I loved it! I loved it!! ā¤ļøā¤ļø
Hello Swarnima,
Ah, writing and drawing are bliss, I tell you. That’s why I love making comics, they encompass both of my interests. I’m super happy that this post was helpful to you! š Thank you so much!
Lots of love,
Angela
Love this Iām coiming from an Instagram story post. I do doodles, I think my works cool I agree with all the points here. Thanks so much for this Iām definitely subscribing to the blog now
Hello Tristan,
Your Twitter Profile is fabulous! I couldn’t find your doodles on there, though. Do you have a separate profile for those? š And thank you so much. I’m so glad you found the post useful!
Warm regards,
Angela
I am so proud of where you are today Angela. Lots of love,
Anjana
Hello Anjana,
You’re such a sweetie pie. *big fat bear hug* We should meet up soon.
Lots of love,
Angela
Hi Angela!! I started up a little comic site myself and in getting really depressed because it’s not getting proper attention as it used to at first. Then I learn about Insta algorithm and it really put me down. I love drawing n all and I use medibang. I got a few msgs saying my art is cool and it made me feel good too.. but this sudden lack of growth is really disheartening. ?Can u give me advice?
Hey Pooja,
First of all, I’m really glad you asked me this question. The algorithm has affected quite a few people in Asia (as far as I know) I was getting about 25-40K followers every month from August last year. On 18th January, 2018, the Algorithm changed. I was at 180K. It’s been 3 months, and I’m still at 180K despite creating all the time. It’s a glitch that has affected only a few people. Not everyone.
You’re not alone in this and it’s totally okay. Instagram has confirmed that they have received tons of complaints and they are changing the algorithm. I know how hard this must be for you and we’re in the same boat.
Don’t dwell on Social Media. I was very addicted to the numbers too and I realized that this could all go away in seconds. Instagram has shown that it’s not a very stable company and they could cease to exist any day, any second.
Just focus on your art. If possible, try and post on something else. Just till the Algorithm changes again. Create a Behance Profile or work on your own website. I changed my focus and I’m currently writing blog posts. š It’s taken my mind away from this horrible Instagram Algorithm and I’m happy again.
I hope this helped. Let me know if you need to talk. š
Lots of love,
Angela
Dear Angela,
Your posts are so inspiring and so so so relatable! I’m an illustrator and I couldn’t agree more on each and every point. My problem is I’m probably too shy to sell myself (you would understand) and sometimes too lazy to post on social media. Plus, I don’t really believe in social media much. Although I have an Insta account and everything, it still doesn’t inspire me enough. I’ve read success stories of people who gained a lot from Insta or Facebook, but it doesn’t get me started. I feel it’s all fake unless you get genuine followers or people who are interested in your work. Also, there is a lot to browse on social media that your work might just get lost.
Anyway, I guess after reading this, I might actually start illustrating everyday and not procrastinate! I think social media will come naturally, no?
Hope we can be in touch! If you need to check what exactly I do (whatever little I do), here’s the link: https://www.instagram.com/with.love.tathya/?hl=en
Love,
Isha š
Helo Isha,
Thank you so much for your kind words. Comments like these are what keeps me going! <3
I understand the part about being shy. But the first thing about creating art is, you create for yourself. Your audience comes second. Fine-tuning your art to attract your ideal audience is important but you shouldn't give up drawing what you like just to please your audience.
That being said, try and change your outlook toward posting on Social Media. I posted because I not only wanted a platform to keep all my pieces together, but also to gain recognition. Besides, posting everyday on social media helped me stick to a schedule of drawing every single day. It made me feel more accountable. And even though I was super busy, I'd keep 2-3 hours at the end of the day to make a piece.
As an artist, trust me... you won't get fake followers. All your followers will be super 100% genuine. Instagram and Facebook is very strict about these things, so they usually catch people who buy followers. I've written a post where I share all my strategies on getting to 100K followers in less than 6 months. You can read it here:
https://drawcartoonstyle.com/gain-100k-followers-on-instagram/
Nonetheless, I highly suggest to not depend on social media completely. It can be very devastating if Instagram or Facebook decides to ban or suspend your account for no reason. In my case, a horrible glitch has affected my account. It’s been 8 months and I’ve had no luck reversing it or contacting either Instagram.
One of the main reasons why I’ve started a blog… a website is completely yours. And no one can do anything about it. It’s your freedom of expression. š
Your work is beautiful and I noticed you have a website too! Keep going. <3 And don't ever stop!
Let me know if you have any questions. I'm more than happy to help!
Lots of love,
Angela
Hi, um I really liked this… I don’t know you well, I haven’t seen you work,, just this but yo sound great.. I might not see your reply becuase I am using my school computor but I really like this, I am 15 years old and I am still trying to figure out what I wanna be, my mom said I can probably be an illustrator for books because I kinda like to draw.. I am not fully sure but I decided to search up information and this helps… and if I ever do see your reply I would like to know, how did you figure out you wanted to be an illustrator?.. It sounds interesting and I would have never though about it if it wasn’t for my mom but I am still thinking… sorry if I said too much, I am just still tryng to figure things out…
I didn’t know I wanted to be an Illustrator. I just drew every single day. And I still draw. I have been drawing since the age of three. I found a way to infuse my illustrations into my current business. So, in a way, I am an Illustrator and a Blogger.
The best thing to do now is to focus on just learning and improving your style. You can always change course later. Maybe you want to do children’s books now, later you might want to move to fashion designing… You never know until you do!
Warm regards,
Angela
Hey Angela,
I just found that this post wakens up not just illustrators but all artists too. Very helpful!!!
Glad you loved this Shanthi! š
Hie Angela,
I am a hobbiest, much into acrylics n charcoal. but wanna learn digital painting. can u suggest which is good ; Procreate or Adobe Photoshop.
Definitely ProCreate. It’s really easy to learn and I currently make all my illustrations with it.
Do you think someone in their 30s can venture into this?
Yep! An old friend of mine – Paul is in his seventies and he’s an Illustrator. He’s brilliant. It’s never too late to start doing something you love.
Thank you for all of this great advice. Your generosity of spirit in sharing your experiences says a lot about your character. Wishing you a long, successful and exciting career in illustration.
Hey Rachel,
You are most welcome! š And thank you so much – you are too kind!
Are you planning on starting your career in illustrating too?
Warm regards,
Angela