We asked Procreate, sponsors of the World Illustration Awards 2018 Advertising Category, for their advice and tips for illustrators on approaching commissioners and what makes a great illustration. (image by Alexis Franklin for Procreate)
What are your top tips for aspiring illustrators?
Build a portfolio of great work, share it far and wide, and make sure your contact details are easy to find.
When looking for new artists, we check out all kinds of places, from dedicated art sites, through to obscure hashtags on Instagram.
If we see something we love, we’ll head to your profile. If your profile is as awesome as the first artwork we saw, and there’s a button to email you, we just might.
What do you look for in a great illustration?
Embracing your own style, and telling a story. These can often be the difference between a good artwork and a great one.
Carving out your own unique style can be one of the most meaningful journeys you can take as an artist.
Why is it important that we celebrate illustration?
Putting the spotlight on amazing illustrations and the artists who create them benefits the whole industry. The immediate and most pragmatic benefit is the financial reward to the artist. The second is the intellectual reward the viewer receives. Lastly, it offers budding artists something they can aspire to on their journey.
A career in illustration can look like a tough mountain to climb. Seeing the path that other climbers took, and hearing their voices up ahead can be really encouraging. Plus, getting your flag to the top for everyone to see is a pretty good incentive to keep climbing.
The Professional Advertising category winner will receive an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil and Procreate software package, and the New Talent Advertising category winner will receive the Procreate software package, courtesy of Procreate.
The deadline to enter the World Illustration Awards is 6 February 2018.
