Art Small Business Day-to-Day Realities 🌼 (Patreon)

The Day-to-Day Realities of Working in Illustration Full-Time

Working as a full-time illustrator can be a dream come true for many creatives.

Nowadays there are so many amazing creators out there sharing their self-employed lives on YouTube and other socials that it even more creates the urge to work like them, as an illustrator and small business owners.

I was in exactly that spot in my life, I had already followed a lot of artists and small business owners on YouTube for years and dreamt about living such a life!

And then 4 years ago I finally decided to start working on that dream. It was not always easy and I had to start as a self-employed graphic designer first only working on my illustration dream in the evenings and weekends, then started to take Friday off of the graphic design work and use it for illustration as well and very slowly my art business started to grow until I finally could stop taking graphic design clients last year.

However, the day-to-day realities of working as an illustrator are always a big mix of a lot of admin tasks, a lot of researching and planning, often only a little bit of creative work, and the challenges of managing a freelance career.

Here´s a look into my day-to-day realities as an illustrator running a small business, a Patreon, and also working with brands:

Admin Work, Brainstorming and Planning

Although a lot would think that the creative process is the heart of an illustrator's day, unfortunately, I have to disappoint you.

What I do most of the time is plan my business, brainstorm for shop updates, future Patreon rewards, research manufacturers and products, keep up with updating my websites, and edit videos.

Then there's also managing contracts, invoicing, and tracking payments. It also involves marketing oneself and being active on social media to attract new clients.

Most of the time I´m just sitting in front of my computer for hours or even days without my Apple pencil even touching my hand 😭

But this actually is also the heart of the business somehow, because without all of this, it won´t work out.

Social Media

I mentioned "marketing oneself and being active on social media to attract new clients" above so let´s dive into this next.

My social media is my marketing platform so I have to be active there on a regular basis if not every day.

This year my focus lies more on YouTube so I´m posting less on my other socials but I actually started with Instagram. When my Instagram had a pretty good following I added TikTok and then YouTube.

I also get nearly all my clients through my social media, especially Instagram, and for a couple of months also through YouTube. I work with brands on my social media which is a big part of my income as well, so this is a very important part for me.

Being active and posting regularly on all these platforms takes a lot of time, so after all my admin work this is what I also do very much every day during a work week.

I don´t know how it´s for others but I need a whole day to edit a YouTube video, so if you´re working Monday to Friday you then only have 4 days left for the rest of your tasks...

Client Interaction and Revisions

As I mentioned that I also work with brands a substantial portion of my time is also dedicated to client interaction. This can include back-and-forth emailing to understand project requirements, regular updates to show progress, and discussions about revisions. Feedback is a crucial part of the creative process, and handling revisions gracefully is an essential skill.

The Creative Process + Patreon and my Shop

Then finally the creative part :)

When I draw I mostly draw for my shop or my patreon!

This involves brainstorming ideas, sketching initial concepts, and refining those sketches into final illustrations. Depending on the project I´m working on, for example, creating a new design for a pin or a greeting card, working on the drawing guide for Patreon, or writing this article ;)

Every illustrator has their own workflow.

For example if I want to create a new product for my shop I start by researching the topic, gathering visual references, and creating mood boards to capture the desired aesthetic. Sketching and iterating on ideas is a significant part of the process, with many hours spent on refining details, experimenting with color palettes, and then hoping that the manufacturer does everything right.

Continuous Learning and Skill Development

The field of illustration is always evolving, with new tools and techniques emerging regularly which means learning and skill development regularly to keep up. This might involve taking online courses, experimenting with new software, or practicing different artistic techniques.

Staying inspired is another important aspect. Many illustrators carve out time for personal projects or explore different mediums to keep their creative juices flowing. Engaging with the art community, whether through social media, art exhibitions, or collaborations, can also provide fresh inspiration and new perspectives.

Challenges

Like any profession, beating a full-time illustrator comes with its challenges of course. The pressure to constantly produce high-quality work and to always share everything to social media can lead to burnout. It's always up and down for me too. I have months where I'm extremely motivated and just bubbling over with ideas and then come weeks where I don't feel like doing anything and I can't think of anything new to draw. Added to this is the constant stress in the down phases about whether you are still making enough money.

Despite these challenges, the rewards of working in illustration are worth it!

There´s nothing better than seeing your illustrations on products and your customers be happy!

Of course, also the possibility to schedule your time how you want it to and to work for yourself and not for someone else!

This is a career that demands passion, dedication, and continuous growth. While it can be challenging, the ability to create art and bring ideas to life makes it a deeply fulfilling profession for those who are committed to their craft.

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