Having been an illustration major for the past couple of years, I have picked up some useful tips and tricks, and I would like to share my experience with other aspiring illustrators hoping to give some useful advice. I’m not a master but I hope this helps other illustration students like me.
Follow Instructions
One big one that I have learned is always follow a project the way a professor tells you to, or do as a professor instructs. You can make your own stuff on your own time, but these in class projects are meant to restrict you and help you learn new ways of thinking and creating. Even if you think a different idea would work better, just try the project the way it is meant to be. After all, restrictions help boost your creativity and make you use critical thinking and problem solving approaches to your artwork, which you will need within your career.
Draw Daily
Another hugely important thing to do for illustrators is to draw every single day. It might be hard sometimes to fit it into a busy schedule but is not impossible. Even just five minutes everyday is better than nothing at all. Make sure to draw from life as well because it gives you real shadows and helps you with citing angles. Drawing from life everyday does what you would think it would do, makes you better at drawing.
Explore Color
Thirdly, practice using different colors palettes and learn how to work well with coloring. Even if you want to do solely black and white illustrations, like for comics books etc., it’s nice to have a wide range of abilities in your artistic capabilities. Plus working with color can be fun and challenging and can add a whole new meaning to your artwork.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Definitely and always try new things that are out of your comfort zone. This could be anything from trying a new medium or taking an art class you never thought you would want to take. The more you practice skills as an artist, the more you learn, the better you get. This might sound like common sense, but isn’t always true for everyone.
Be Authentic
Lastly, do whatever you love, be unique, and be you. If you are passionate about what you want to do as an illustrator, don’t let anything stop you. Dream big and set goals for yourself, you never know what could happen. Also, don’t be afraid to change your mindset on what you want to illustrate. There are so many types of illustrator careers out there that you may like better than what you wanted to do, so never be afraid to change your mind.