How I make money as an illustrator • Art licensing • 2024

Something a bit different for this video — I wanted to share my process for creating an illustration suite for sale via licensing agreements, as well as a couple of pros and cons of different platforms, some inadvertent dos & don’ts (i.e. maybe don’t spend 150 hours working on drawings…), as well as how much I’ve been earning from the ‘passive’ income of licensing existing artwork.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with this kind of thing; I’ve been hesitantly testing the waters of it for a few years now, and this is what I’ve picked up so far. Hope it’s helpful and useful!

[planlife]

This is a VERY VERY important and useful video to me. I have been looking for the past 20+ years for work for myself (on my own terms). Something I would enjoy and not ever get bored with, something without time pressure, something without human interaction, and something where I could earn a decent living. Thank you so, so much for sharing something which I actually feel I am capable of doing. You will never know how much this means to me!

[notedbylu]

Thank you for sharing and for your honest insights on art licensing! It’s very helpful :)

[louisegouet]

Thank you for being so transparent, this video is super helpful!

[wronghandlane]

This was so helpful! I have considered art licensing many times over the years.. I guess when my mind gets too focused on making things to market or the idea of pitching myself, all the fun and motivation goes out the window. Thank you for a grounded and relaxing perspective, I adore your art! Subscribing!❤ 🐎✨️

[madebyams]

Thanks for this video, this is an awesome idea. I have attempted to delve into the world of licensing but never thought about creative market before. Love your work by the way and stoked to have stumbled across your YT ! (And hi from a fellow Aussie living in the French Alps)

[velvetpins]

OMG Iv found you again, I’ve been following you for ❤ I’m not on instagram anymore so very happy to join you here and see a deeper side of you :) Would love to hear about the other ways you make an income ❤

[sixtimesnine]

Love your art style. Must be so frustrating seeing your work be resold by others. I’m just a hobby artist (and an Aussie, always good to see more local talent) but the idea of trying to make a living from your art, just to see others profit from it, is one thing that prevents me considering going down that track.

[leandrabrink]

Thank you! You gave some great insights in this video. I'm a graphic designer looking at maybe selling designs on digital platforms and it gave me a lot to think about. Also I understand your layer process 100% :)

[megodoy]

Beautiful work!!! Enjoyed your process, even if you make more complex. Wish you tons of success!!
Cheers!

[loreleijayne]

The little blue flowers would be amazing on fabric!

[jesusescudero]

Thank you. I wonder if the final art has to be in vectors always? I usually work in bitmap images as a final art.

[ryanmirandacreative]

I don't think those sketches are appalling 😆 My initial ones are almost exactly like that too hah. Your process of vectorizing sounds very similar to mine. I often spend too much time blocking out the colors 😆 For some reason I'm good about organizing and naming my layers in photoshop but not illustrator

[ofraar]

Thank you very much for the professional sharing!

[leegreen]

Thank you beloved... so good to learn from you.

[CaliberDawn]

Would u say u transfer a majority of your work into vectors? Have u tried using the vector brush on Fresco? Also would love a vid on how u like to use Procreate, fav brushes, feat. color palettes, etc! I actually really appreciate how u showed ur rough sketches, I always get paranoid thinking they should look cleaner but u verified that it really doesn’t matter and we all have our own process❤

[stinkygrunkie]

Oooh i had never thought about this as an option!!!

[POPPIELOK]

Thankyou, this is all great info and love you stuff.

[alirazalael]

Thanks for sharing keep up the good work.

[amberbruno]

How do you choose what size to make your art boards in illustrator?