Freelance Illustrator | How to Get Paid for Your Art
So you want to be an illustrator–but you’re tired of having your creativity limited and being told what to create? Being a freelance illustrator can be a very lucrative career choice. You’ll have the freedom to choose what you create, who you work with, and when you work. However, it doesn’t come without challenges. Let’s find out more.
What is a freelance illustrator?
A freelance illustrator is like any other illustrator, except that you work on a freelance basis. This means that instead of your typical 9-5 job with a lot of structure and people you report to, you work for yourself. In today’s highly digital world, there are many opportunities available to work as a freelance illustrator. Because the marketplace is more robust, and gigs have become much more accessible, there’s never been a better time to be a freelancer.
What do you do as a freelance illustrator?
A freelance illustrator can wear many hats. They are not defined any one way–instead they are free to explore what kind of work most inspires them. That said, here are some common gigs that we’ve seen in the marketplace for freelance illustrators:
1) Concept Art
something abstract can be considered concept art to convey ideas
Concept art is creative interpretation of an idea in its planning stages. Maybe it’s a short story with a film adaptation that needs visual inspiration, or an initial character design for a book or video game. Concept art can also include
2)Designing Characters or Personalities
An illustrated character makes a persona come to life—it doesn’t always have to be fantasy-based
Although there may be some overlap with concept art, character design is a critical component of building out a story. Whether that character is in a film, a written piece, or even a video game, an artist has to make the visuals come to life. Often, writers, directors or video game developers may lack the creative prowess to make an idea come to life–that's where illustrators come in. They can be the final missing piece before an entire project is brought to life.
Say a video game developer has a character in mind that has a dark past and is seeking redemption as part of the story arc. That developer may already have the story and major events flushed out, but may not have any idea what this character looks like. A good illustrator can take what has been written and make it come to life. Take a look at the game League of Legends–where over 141 characters (and expanding) each have a unique story and personality. Every single character has had an illustrator brainstorm and create drafts at a certain point. Without illustrators, there would be no character design.
3) Illustrating Products and Brand Personality
Illustrations can accompany brand and product visuals to complete the overall look
We might take these visuals for granted on a daily basis, but behind every company and product, there is an illustrator that helps the marketing department make ideas come to life. Have you ever stumbled upon a brand and thought “wow this brand is really cute”, or “i really like how their colors”? Well, these elements came to life with the help of designers and illustrators.
4) Illustrations for Entertainment
A comic book, or manga are examples of illustrations for pure entertainment
Perhaps the most common duty people think of when they think of an illustrator–artists who make drawings or visuals purely for entertainment purposes. For example, an artist creates a comic series or children’s book.
Now that we have talked about some examples, if you’re interested in becoming a freelance illustrator, let’s visit some formal topics.
How much can I expect to make as a freelance illustrator?
As with any profession in the freelancing space, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how much you can make. That’s because it depends entirely on your ability to market yourself, network, and use your portfolio to find more work. Unlike a full-time job, a freelancing career has less structure but also a lot more potential (not without challenge). However, in general, ZipRecruiter estimates a conservative average salary of $61,535 per year (or about $29 per hour) for freelancers. Indeed reports their estimate quite a bit higher, at an average of $45.61 per hour. It’s important to note that estimations may have stricter criteria and most likely does not include freelancers that are just starting out.
How to get started as a freelance illustrator?
That said, starting out–you may have to bid for lower pay gigs just to build up your portfolio and network. We would recommend having an hourly rate in mind. For artists starting out, we suggest anywhere from $30 - $60 an hour. When you see a potential gig you like, calculate how much time it might take you to complete the project. This includes brainstorming and planning. Depending on the client/project they may prefer hourly billing, or on a project basis–learn to adapt to different payment preferences.
Use resources like:
Your own network
Once you’ve won your first few jobs, reflect on what kind of work you like to do. Do you have a particular niche of clients? Certain art styles? Build a portfolio that showcases your focus and begin to raise your rates. At the same time, hone down your search for new gigs. Look for jobs that you can specifically cater to and tell a compelling story. Remember, you have to convince potential clients that you’re worth it.
At this point, you should feel comfortable charging anywhere from $60 - 100 an hour. If you have a portfolio of clients, you should consider asking clients to refer you to their network who may need an illustrator. Don’t discount the power of word of mouth, that's how you grow your business.
FAQs:
How much does a freelance illustrator make?
ZipRecruiter estimates a conservative average salary of $59,837 per year (or about $29 per hour) for freelancers. Indeed reports their estimate quite a bit higher, at an average of $45.61 per hour.
How do I get a job as a freelance illustrator?
To start out in freelance illustration, use resources like:
Upwork
Fiverr
Behance
Your own network
Cold emailing
Be sure to update your portfolio and curate it to present your skillset
Are freelance illustrators in demand?
Yes–illustration skills are in high demand across all kinds of industries. It’s up to you, the freelancer, to showcase your skills and to sell your portfolio to clients in need. Remember to focus on an niche and set up your portfolio to reflect expertise.
