There are many sites and courses around that ‘guarantee’ you’ll be able to make money from your cartoon and illustration work. Many of them focus on drawing technique, but offer little in the way how to conduct the business side of a freelance career. Chewing Pencils aims to address that situation by offering tried and tested techniques that can help you turn a drawing hobby into a money making, cartooning and illustration profession.
Perhaps the most popular of all the series that have appeared on Chewing Pencils has been my Tips on Becoming a Professional. Nothing that appears in this list is rocket science, but some of it can slip under the radar of those aspiring to make money from freelancing as a cartoonist. Take some time to browse through them in the order presented, and be sure to read the comments left by other experienced artists.
And be sure to add your own comments too!
Being a good storyteller is more important than being good at drawing when it comes to cartooning. This post contains a few tips to help you improve your storytelling.
Having our own unique style can help separate us from the rest of the crowd. Read this post to gain a few insights into making the most of your style.
Characters drive what happens in our work. This post give a few ideas on how to make your character unique.
You won’t get work if nobody knows what you can do. Nobody will know what you can do unless you have a folio. Here are a few tips to help you develop a folio.
A web presence is essential for any modern cartoonist or illustrator. Read this post to find out why.
The reality is that if everybody is trying to get published in the paper, most will miss out. Why not try for a market in which nobody else is trying to get published?
7. Become business minded (part 1)
The first part of the nuts and bolts about making money from your artwork. Not quite ‘inside secrets’ but useful information nevertheless.
8. Become business minded (part 2)
This is so important that it took two posts! Read part two to learn more about turning your hobby into a business.
9. Join a professional organization
Mixing it with the professionals not only makes you feel like one, but the tips you pick up can help you become one even quicker.
10. Think long term
Becoming successful takes time. Read this post to learn a few tips about sticking with it for the long haul.
A bonus tip turned out to be The Most Important Tip of All.
If you read nothing else, make sure you read this one….
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