Don’t be shy, be seen

Guest blogger illustrator Clare Mackie has a few valuable pointers on how you can get your portfolio seen by the people that count

Illustrator Clare Mackie

Once you’re set, perhaps with a website and definitely with a portfolio, you’ll need to have your work seen.

I am a little out of the loop, but on asking an agent they did recommend making appointments (as I did when starting out) with art directors, dropping off your folio with them or hopefully seeing them face-to-face.

If it’s the latter, do ask advice on

Can I use a website as my portfolio?

Advice for illustrators from guest blogger Clare Mackie

Clare in her London studio

By all means do try to get yourself a website so that art directors can look you up online.

I’ve found this invaluable – more important to me now than a portfolio, but I’m not sure it’s a substitute when you’re starting out.

Try to also have a traditional portfolio, and make it as beautiful and enticing as you possibly can.

Your portfolio is your showcase – you will be judged by it – so prepare it in a way that reflects your talents and abilities at their best. Art directors are by nature highly visual and will appreciate a well-presented folio to show to their colleagues and clients too.

Editorial illustration for Country Life magazine with Clare Mackie

Clare Mackie creating an illustration for Country Life

Guest blogger Clare Mackie tells us about life as an illustrator.

Quick update: this is a picture of me working at home on an illustration for Country Life, whose commissions I love. They employ different writers for their ‘My Week’ column, and it’s my job to realise a scene or a quirky image that springs to mind from their copy. It’s always engaging as there’s a mix of writing styles, subject matter, and seasons, but as I enjoy painting animals best (and they’re mostly what’s required!), it’s a very happy collaboration indeed.