Art by Analise Black
Jake Parker, Lee White, and Will Terry weigh the pros and cons of working with publishers, the effect of unions, and the benefits of creating multiple opportunities for your artwork.
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SHOW LINKS
Episode 192
Samantha Cotterill
Drifting Moon Tarot
Smartpress
KEY TAKEAWAYS
It doesn’t matter how good the product is if it’s in front of the wrong people.
Are you trying to be an illustrator or run an illustration business? Illustrators hope for gigs while business owners have strategies for getting consistent work.
Every freelance job dries up eventually, but if you have two or three other opportunities going simultaneously, you can keep your career secure.
A professional shows up whether they feel like it or not.
QUESTIONS
Thaddeus asks, “When trying to sell your art, is it better to narrowly target a specialized market or broadly shop your stuff anywhere? I have regularly submitted cartoons to The New Yorker for about two years. Should I limit my submissions to work on other projects?"
Getting hired by The New Yorker won’t turn into a full-time job, but it could open doors for you with other companies. However, very few artists are accepted by The New Yorker, so don’t hinge your entire career on this one gig. Pursue additional opportunities for a more strategic chance of success.
The New Yorker only accepts a very specific style; how does your work compare? Take your best New Yorker submissions and attempt to redraw them closer to the style commonly accepted. Resubmit them and see what happens!
Angelo asks, “Is it worth contacting agents or publishers about my project ideas, or should I just publish myself?
It doesn’t hurt to reach out to ten or twenty publishers and see if they’re interested in your work; you can always choose to go your own way if it’s not a match. However, make sure the quality of your work is publishable before you approach them. First impressions are very important, and if your art isn’t up to snuff from the start, they’re less likely to take you seriously if you try again a few years down the road.
Another thing to consider when weighing the benefits and costs of working independently is your personality. Are you okay with creating art that matches a publisher’s market and vision, or do you need complete freedom to feel fulfilled? If molding your ideas to someone else’s vision doesn’t sit well with you, you’re probably best working on your own.
LINKS
Jake Parker: mrjakeparker.com. Instagram: @jakeparker, Youtube: JakeParker44
Will Terry: willterry.com. Instagram: @willterryart, Youtube: WillTerryArt
Lee White: leewhiteillustration.com. Instagram: @leewhiteillo
Daniel Tu: danieltu.co.
Lily Camille Howell: lilycamille.com
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