Beginner Guides For Illustrators

If you’re new to illustration (or you’re getting serious about it), this page is the best place to start.

These videos are designed to give you clarity on the early stages: what the job actually involves, what to focus on first, and how to build momentum without getting overwhelmed.

Start here (a realistic overview)

Before you worry about style or clients, it helps to understand how an illustration career actually works. These are the big-picture foundations.

Freelance Illustration Explained (Step by Step)

A clear walkthrough of how freelance illustration works in the real world.

• What “freelance illustrator” actually means day to day

• Where work tends to come from

• What beginners often misunderstand

• What to focus on first

• How to avoid early distractions

How to Start an Illustration Career in 2026 (The Smart Way)

A practical starting plan for the current landscape.

• The fastest way to get traction early

• What skills matter most at the start

• How to choose a direction without boxing yourself in

• The role of consistency vs talent

• What to ignore

How To Get Into Illustration: Beginner’s Guide

A big-picture overview of how to begin in illustration: what the career can involve, different paths you might take, and foundational ideas for new illustrators.

• What “getting into illustration” actually means

• Different ways people start (self-taught, courses, practice)

• What challenges beginners often face

• How to orient your early learning

• Why direction matters at the start

How to Turn Your Illustration Hobby Into a Business

Moving from “I like drawing” to “I’m building something real”.

• The shift from hobby mindset to business mindset

• What a “business” actually needs (basic version)

• What to build first (and what can wait)

• How to create momentum without pressure

• Simple next steps

What to do first (and what to stop doing)

Most beginners don’t struggle because they’re not good enough. They struggle because they focus on the wrong things at the wrong time.

If I Started Illustration From Scratch, I’d Do These Things

A clean reset plan for beginners.

• The first priorities that actually matter

• How to practise with purpose

• Portfolio building without overthinking

• What to learn vs what to postpone

• A simple weekly rhythm

Turn Your Illustration Hobby Into a Serious Career in 2025

How to treat illustration seriously without making it miserable.

• What “serious” actually looks like in practice

• Habits that create results

• Common traps (perfectionism, procrastination)

• Choosing projects that help your future self

• Keeping motivation stable

Illustration Projects: Step by Step Guide for Beginners

A walkthrough of what a real commissioned illustration project looks like, from start to finish.

• What happens after a client says “yes”

• How illustration briefs usually work

• The feedback and revision process

• How approvals are handled

• Invoicing and wrapping up a project professionally

Learning faster (without spending a fortune)

You don’t need expensive courses to improve quickly. You need a smarter learning approach and better inputs.

How To Learn Illustration For (Almost) Free

Practical ways to build skills on a tight budget.

• Where to learn without paying much

• How to avoid “content consumption” traps

• What to practise to level up fastest

• How to turn learning into output

• A realistic routine

Learn Illustration By Studying Other Illustrators

How to study artists properly (instead of just admiring them).

• What to look for when studying work

• How to break down style and decisions

• Exercises that actually translate into growth

• How to build taste and judgement

• Turning inspiration into skill

What the Industry Actually Rewards

These are the “signals” beginners often miss: what clients want, and what experienced professionals notice immediately.

This Is What Clients Want From Illustrators

The gap between good art and hireable work.

• What clients value beyond skill

• How to reduce client uncertainty

• The importance of clarity and reliability

• What makes work feel “professional”

• What to prioritise in your portfolio

An Agent’s Advice For New Illustrators

Early-career advice from the hiring side of the industry.

• What agents and clients notice first

• Typical beginner blind spots

• What makes an illustrator easy to recommend

• How to build career capital over time

• What to focus on this month

What to Focus on Next

If you’re still at the very start, take your time with these videos. There’s no rush to do everything at once.

Once you’ve got a clearer sense of what illustration work actually involves, the next step is to focus on one specific area at a time. That’s where the Core Guides come in.

Choose the guide that matches where you’re at right now:

• Build a Professional Illustration Portfolio 

  If you want your work to feel client-ready.

• How to Find Illustration Clients 

  If you’re ready to start putting your work out there.

• Working With Clients & Agencies 

  If you’re unsure what professional projects actually involve.

• Pricing, Licensing & Professionalism 

  If money, usage rights, or contracts feel confusing.