What is being an illustrator really like? 6 professionals reveal all

We asked six illustrators what their job is really like. And this is what they said

What comes to mind when you hear the word illustrator? Someone with their hands covered in paint, or a bohemian type working late into the small hours? Well, in reality things look a little different. Surprising even...

To find out first hand what being an illustrator is really like, we asked 6 industry professionals to take us behind the scenes. Laura Pérez, Ricard López, Diego Catalán, Naranjalidad, Román García Mora and Alex de Marcos treveal what being an illustrator is REALLY like, and the lessons they’ve learned in their long careers.

Watch the video!

1. The disadvantages of being a freelance illustrator

Illustrator @lauraperezgr notes that being a freelance illustrator comes with certain disadvantages like long hours and no holidays. Ricard López agrees. He tends to go to bed any time between midnight and 2 in the morning.

2. The importance of knowing how to say no

“I wish someone would have told me about the importance of saying no to some jobs”, adds @naranjalidad. Some projects don’t work out, either because the fee isn’t right or the client isn’t what you were hoping for, and it’s good to know how to say no in time.

3. Push your portfolio

One of the first steps to starting your career as an illustrator is to organize your best work into a creative portfolio. For @romangm, “you don’t have to have a perfect portfolio to start moving things.” If you’d like to learn a few tips on creating your professional portfolio, don’t miss this tutorial by Ricard López.

4. Creative careers can be a roller coaster

@alex_de_marcos explains that an illustration career doesn’t go in a straight line, or involve steady progression. There are rough patches, highs and lows. “When you’re going through a rough patch, remember not to tell yourself that you’re no good anymore, that you’ve had enough and will go and get any other kind of job,” he encourages.

5. Illustration is a job

One of the misunderstandings faced by many illustrators is the idea that their work is less important than other professions. “You don’t work, you spend your life drawing!” is a phrase repeated to @ricardilus. But being an illustrator is just as important a career as any other.

6. It’s a long road

You need to pace yourself on the long road to becoming an illustrator. In the words of @diegocatalanleal “it’s a long, probably endless journey” and it’s important not to burn out. Illustration is a long-distance race that requires a lot of constant work. “On the other hand, it’s the best job in the world” adds Catalán.

Love this video? You can leave your opinion about the world of illustration in the comments.

And if you’d like to learn the secrets of this profession, don’t miss Domestika’s illustration courses.

English version by @studiogaunt

You may like:

- Naturalist Animal Illustration with Procreate, a course by Román García Mora
- Pictorial Portraits Using Digital Techniques, a course by Alex de Marcos
- Portrait with Pencil, Color Techniques, and Photoship, a course by Naranjalidad
- Realistic Human Figure Drawing, a course by Diego Catalán
- Introduction to Picturebook Creation, a course by Ricard López
- Traditional Drawing with Procreate, a course by Laura Pérez