Freelance Illustration: 5 Things I WISH I KNEW!

In this video I discuss 5 things I wish I knew when I started my career in illustration. I've been working as an independent illustrator for the past 12 years and I've done work for clients like Nickelodeon, Adidas, Cartoon Network, Google, and countless others. Before becoming an illustrator I was a graphic designer, my career in illustration was a bit of an accident and I've been winging it ever since. As a result I've learned a lot of things the hard way. If I knew the 5 things I talk about in this video from the start, things would have been a lot easier. Hopefully you find this information valuable—if you do please give me a thumbs up and subscribe! I'm planning on making a part 2 very soon!

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[alphonzosolorzano]

Great insight! some valuable tips for sure.

[sofiamallo]

Man, that last tip 😮‍💨 my husband was just telling me yesterday “stop panicking, you’re taking projects you’ll regret when you know better work is coming and you have personal projects on hold, take a breather” and listening to this today really finished driving that in for me 😅 I’m gonna try and enjoy the slow time

[Sharkroars]

Out of all the artists i ve watched over the past 2-3 years who make similar contect as yours, you are the only one i ve subscribered to because for some reason i like the way you are in the videos its like im having a conversation with a friend i never had that feeling before. Thank you for your videos its almost therapeutical to me its relaxes me and i feel like my enxaity are getting better when im watching your videos, pretty wierd i know i dont even know what to make yp of it my self but it helps . Thank.

[lady_icarus]

THIS IS SO HELPFUL!!! 💜💜💜 I would like to hear more about contracts or stories around contract revisions. It seems boring but I think that’s where a lot of my anxiety lies when approaching client work. I’m new to your channel, so I will check out more of your videos and do independent research, too! But getting your insight is invaluable! Thank you for making it accessible for us. It’s uplifting. Also, I’m a fellow designer turned illustrator, so it is nice to see the nuances between the two paths.

[heavyiron]

As an accounting professional, I was glad to hear your comment about setting up separate business accounts and keeping all business activity in your business accounts whether checking or credit card or... That is the absolute first thing I tell my new inexperienced (and lots of experienced) clients-KEEP IT SEPARATE! If I have to wade through a tangled mess of co-mingled transactions my bill easily goes up 3X it would be otherwise-not to mention the extra hassle on the client side too! Good Stuff!

[greivincruz]

The freak out part is me everyday right now 🥲
Once again, great video Chris. Very relatable

[makingmonsterart]

Speaking of budget negotiations, yeah having the client throw out the first number is HUGE. I've had it go both ways, where they throw out a number that is much higher than what I would have put out, but also times where their budget was much lower than what I would have thrown out and I would have for sure given them sticker shock. Even when their budget is low, that doesn't always means that I won't work with them. Maybe their project sounds really fun to me (or I just have some time in my schedule I'd like to fill with paying work), or I'd get to do the kind of art I wish I was doing more often and knowing their budget is lower they might be willing to give me more creative control than I might normally expect. Or I might be able to offer an art style that isn't the style I'm best known for, but an alternate style I find fun because it's fast and still an effective attractive look.

[justinbooth-aspinall]

Really enjoyed this! Good practical advice. I live in the UK and sometimes I’m not sure how transferable advice from illustrators in other countries is. I’m on that scary precipice wondering how to become an illustrator with my cartoon style of drawing and this feels helpful regardless of location👍👍🧙🏽‍♀️

[jessicadalli]

Thank you SOO much for these tips, seriously. Especially the separate bank account. Loving your vids 💛 More about contracts, yes please!!

[SarahSmith-zefp]

This was really helpful. Do you have anymore videos like this? I feel what’s holding me back from starting a business is understanding the tax side and setting a contract in place. 🤦‍♀️😊

[emilyhellwig]

Just stumbled across this gem but I am so glad I did! So many great things to remember and learn to do that are easy to overlook. Appreciate your sharing what you’ve learned and wish you knew with us! I’d love to learn about any and all of the related tangents! Especially contracts and pricing! And how to effectively communicate with clients 😅

[Andyxcrm]

I love your videos, I’m majoring in Illustration and Graphic Design in college, and this helps a lot to know what’s gonna be like after I graduate. Any type of videos about projects or working with companies or stuff for beginner professionals artists would be wonderful to hear about!

[nonamesdesigns]

Having ADHD, taking information on is tough, the way you create content is so easy to understand, good job man.

Edit: i commented before the bank account tip, the thought of paper work kills me i feel the same, that tip alone has just revived me lol

[tylergibson]

just gonna say this, i feel a kinship with ya just through the fact that we're both anxious punks.

[ab_art_travel]

Thank you so much for your candid sharing of such valuable things! AlsoI love your awkward humor style!

[carlaladob]

Ohh finally a good video!!! I was trying to find something about Upwork, and suddenly bumped into your video. After like 5 horrible, super amateurs ones. What a relief! Amazing infos! Thank you!

[ChristopherTrimble]

Great video! I did learn the hard way with client revisions and not setting rules when I first started out. Keep up the good work with your videos Chris!

[clairebethclaire]

Really helpful, and great to hear this from a fellow neurodivergent creative, thank you. 😃👍🏼

[MrCurtsss]

Definitely digging all the videos you're putting out man, keep up the great work!

[SM-pkpg]

Great video Chris, great info. Love the drawing videos, but these bizness tips are invaluable, more please, if possible