Thoughts on Illustration

Is it the Right Time to Go Full Time as an Illustrator? | Summer Shorts 01

Episode Summary

How Do You Know When to Go Full Time as an Illustrator? This is a free preview and the first mini-episode of the Summer Shorts series of the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast. For the rest of the summer, these will be available only to my Patreon supporters. Join in at patreon.com/tomfroese! Otherwise, I’ll see you in September!

Episode Notes

Welcome to Summer Shorts Season! In case you missed my announcement in the last episode, I’ll be taking a break from the longer episodes until September. You can hear all about it in Episode 15! The long story short: these episodes will be 10 minutes (give or take) and more casual.

This is a free preview to all listeners, and then for the remainder of the summer, I’ll be sharing these exclusively with my supporters on Patreon. If you’d like to be in on the summer fun, you’re more than welcome to join at patreon.com/tomfroese. If you’re already a part of my Patreon, thank you for your support! If you decide to join me, thank you so much! Otherwise, I’ll see you in September!

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IN THIS EPISODE

So today I want to talk about the question, How Do You Know When to Go Full Time as an Illustrator?

I. Introduction

Illustration is not a guaranteed career

Until we have a steady flow of client work we need to support ourselves another way

Aspiring illustrators' dream of making art their full-time job

Not ideal to do it on the side (for most of us)

“When are we ready to make the jump?”

II. Determining the right time to go full-time freelance

FOR THOSE WITH ESTABLISHED CAREERS

• Analogy of a car race to illustrate the decision-making process
• Jumping from a moving car to another moving car (established career to illustration career)
• Jumping from a moving car to a stationary car (current situation to illustration career without having things going on the side first)

FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT ESTABLISHED CAREERS

• Need to support yourself another way  while you build up your career
• Start out with an open mind about what the path to full time illustration looks like
• You end up looking like the first situation, on one moving car and needing to jump to another moving car

III. Being open-minded and patient in pursuing a full-time illustration career

• Starting with an open mind about the path to full-time illustration
• What does it mean to have Experience?
• How can you transform every experience into something related to illustration or whatever your dream is?
• Emphasizing the gradual process of becoming a successful illustrator
• Setting realistic expectations and avoiding instant success mindset
• Importance of learning, growing, and seeking experience consistently

IV. Conclusion

• Holding the dream of illustrating full-time while staying positive
• Persistence and dedication in sticking with the process to achieve long-term success

Don’t confuse Complacency with Patience / Vice-versa —

• Be patient as you realistically work to feed yourself and build up your art career on the side
• Always be checking in on yourself — are you staying out of fear or necessity?

PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS 

Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic

All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.

FIND ME ELSEWHERE 

http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese