Why so many illustrators are quitting their career.
And how you can stop this.
This is something important to talk about. Illustration is a career that is really attractive.
You know, the dream of working with something you love, having the freedom of working from anywhere at any time.
And this is true. I'm in Budapest this week, supporting my wife on a Sustainability event. And I've already sent client quotes and sketched a spread for an Educational Publisher. Living the dream right?
But a lot of times our daily routine is not what we expected when we chose this career. Sketching a spread in Budapest looks romantic but actually it is hard. I want to be in the Thermal Baths with my kids lol
But what I mean is, I've seen a lot of artists quitting illustration or at least thinking about it. And it usually is because life happens, like having to take care of the kids full time, an illness, moving abroad or taking care of your parents. Then you may need to make a break.
Or it can happen because of a burnout, just like it happened with me last year when I took a break for a few months.
But there are certain aspects that make artists quit that are more predictable. They are like patterns that happen over and over. I've seen it happening with my students and I've also feel with some of them.
So here they are: The 7 main reasons that make illustrators quit (AI love this kind of headline doesn't it?)
1 - Lack of time
It can happen when you land too many gigs (yes a dream coming true can be a nightmare too) or it can happen when you have another job that is taking your time.
The secret here is understanding that it never is about time. It is about priorities. When you have kids and they keep you busy all day and you feel that you don't have enough time to illustrate it means that they are your priority now.
You need to be kind to yourself and accept that this is your priority now. They are going to grow and you will have more time. Illustration will still be here, Art Directors will still be looking for artists. Take this time with your kids (or any priority that is taking your time now) and don't pressure yourself.
Again: it is about priorities and not time. Maybe all need to do is stopping prioritizing other things/people and prioritize illustration. The famous “follow your heart”is true.
2 - Getting out of money
Yes, money is important and getting out of cash may lead you to quit illustration. This is about your mind map.
You've heard your entire life that illustration doesn't pay well and when you face your first down time you start to believe in it.
Instead of quiting what you can do is change your focus. Less effort on creating and more effort on prospecting and promoting yourself.
This is exactly what I did when I went full time in the career.
Other option is getting a side job and consider it as something temporarily. Just for you to get funds while you are prospecting. There is nothing wrong in doing that.
3 - Being afraid
Yes, a lot of people quit simply because they start to be afraid. Afraid of AI, their families, posting on social media, sending emails.
The best way to overcome a fear is finding an even bigger fear. I am afraid of having a boss again. So I picture one of those typical bosses, like Mr. Burns. So everytime I'm afraid of contacting a famous client I think about Mr. Burns giving me a huge work demand that will make me going to the office on a saturday night.
4 - Not taking the career seriously
This can happen due to infinite possibilities, but sometimes people quit because they never consider the career for real. They were just trying, just seeing where it was going, they never believed in it. So in the first difficulty, they quit.
So you need to marry illustration. It is easier to break with your girlfriend or boyfriend, but breaking a marriage is another story. There is commitment, with the other person and with God.
Make this commitment. God gave you this ability, marry to it.
This is your life and your source of happiness. Fight for it.
5 - Losing interest or enthusiasm, or settle for mediocrity.
Some artists like to draw the same thing and in the same way over decades. And that's ok.
But for me that is really dangerous. If I start drawing the same way, when I feel that I've mastered a process I start to feel uncomfortable. I need then to improve, to experiment.
If you are feeling that drawing is dull and boring, try different techniques, force your abstraction, try different ways of drawing.
Fight for your creativity.
6 - Focusing only on the short term.
This is huge. People are more anxious than ever. But let me tell you something important.
Please take note on this. Things take time.
When you ask something to God he needs to arrange things.
People quit after sending 30 emails (seriously?).
People quit after uploading 3 projects to the portfolio.
They quit when can't draw people.
When they are not able to draw scenarios.
It
Takes
Time.
7 - Choosing the wrong market
This is important. Let's imagine that you want to work with games. And you want to draw for big franchises. And you try over and over.
And your drawing never get there. You prospect and get no answers.
You need to consider that maybe that market is not for you. I am sure that I'll never work with Ubisoft on a big franchise like Assassins Creed, for example.
They want artists that master anatomy and all the fundamentals.
My portfolio is badass and amazing. But it is not going to work for this market. So I go after the clients that will find it attractive. The famous “find your people”.
What I tell my students on Ilustra Sales is: focus on yourself, draw things that are connected with you and only after that you find the markets, companies and people that will want to work with you.
And this is amazing because it is going to give you a sense of purpose and also make your work relevant in the age of AI. That is what makes your work unique.
So keep all this in mind. They want you to quit. They want to say “I hate to say I told you so”. They want secretely celebrate your failure.
Who are they? It can be anyone, the haters on social media or it can be someone near your.
Keep fighting. I believe in you, you deserve living your dream!
God bless you and I see you next week!
Um grande abraço,
Very inspiring and encouraging. Thank you