Illustration is one of the fastest-growing professions in the world. Renowned magazines, ebook publishers, advertisement agencies, and brands always want high-quality artwork. Talented illustrators can build perfect visual content as per their requirements.

However, being a professional illustrator is not a piece of cake. It might take months of hard work to learn the basics. If you're wondering how to become one, read this article to find out.

Learn first
Countless skillful artists are around us whose artworks are beyond perfection. So, it's difficult to acquire the natural flow and techniques like them. That's why we highly recommend following good drawing courses, especially if you don't have a college degree in art. The internet is full of thousands of free courses, which charge no bucks. However, if you can afford a paid course, go for it. YouTube instructor videos and free Graphic Design Resources can also be helpful. Remember, practice is the key. Whether you are interested in traditional or digital art, you must be persistent and patient.

Choose your working field wisely
Illustrators have various job options, such as fashion designers, logo designers, book cover artists, tattoo artists, animators, graphic artists, printmakers, VFX producers, etc. Each profession is unique in terms of work, skills, designs, and challenges. Therefore, you have to select particular fields based on your interests. If you're an expert in multiple types of drawing and unsure of what you want to be in the future, take your time. Understand which artworks are receiving more appreciation and better deals

Keep in touch with experts
Good artists usually have a long-term experience that a newbie lacks. If you hang out with them, you can learn a lot about drawing techniques, business growth, and work opportunities. Note that you should never compare yourself with them because everyone's journey towards success is not the same. Instead, you can get inspired by their dedication and styles. Even if their way of thinking is different from yours, you'll learn something new that can boost your creativity.

Keep a track of your progress
It is needless to say that nobody can become a perfectionist overnight. You'll make plenty of mistakes repeatedly, become frustrated, and improve gradually. Documenting your journey is an excellent way to check your progress over time. Sometimes, your clients might want to see your previous samples as well. Moreover, you can write down repeated errors, editing tricks, time-saving techniques, and other details in a notebook for quick access. By any chance, if you want to return to illustration after a long break, these small notes will help you a lot.

Promote your art
Back then, artists had to wait a long time to develop a good reputation and reach their clients. Modern technologies have made it way easier for today's generation. Since social media is a powerful tool to promote any type of business/service, you should make use of them. Share some best works with your followers and monitor how they react. It's okay to face some criticism because you'll know many shortcomings you didn't even notice. Online portfolio sites can also help you catch the attention of potential clients.

Listen to your client
Client satisfaction is the ultimate goal of any service, but it can not be achieved unless you know what they exactly want. Sometimes, top-rated illustrators get negative feedback for good artwork when it somehow fails to match the expectation of clients. So, you must keep the buyer's requirements in mind while drawing. It's better to prepare a checklist before starting work. Another important tip is you should deliver on time as it defines your professionalism and forms an excellent reputation in the market. If a complicated artwork needs additional days, inform your clients before taking orders.