Book Review – Breaking Into Freelance Illustration
(Guest post and Illustration by Amanda Crawford)
Breaking into Freelance Illustration is a truly helpful book for anyone starting out in illustration or design (and especially for anyone even considering it). Holly DeWolf’s book provides a good overview of what your working life might well look like and the concerns that you are likely to face, including (but not limited to) staying creative, balancing home life and work, dealing with clients, money and payment negotiations, and self-promotion.
In my opinion, the book’s greatest value lies in its success in ‘filling in the gaps in what Ms. DeWolf herself points out is lacking in many, if not most, educational programs in the arts- the ‘business’ side: getting work, finding clients, money, self-promotion. The book serves as a ‘reality check’ of sorts- she is completely upfront about the fact that promoting yourself and and thinking of yourself as a business is paramount, and you need to be proactive about it. The greatness of your work isn’t likely in itself to bring you fame and fortune if you aren’t consistently vocal about it.
Your lucky big break MAY come unbidden like a bolt from the blue, but it is far more likely to be many incremental steps forward and a lot of perseverance that gradually opens up doors for you. She is generous with the benefit of her own considerable experience; she also frequently incorporates the perspectives and opinions of a variety of other freelance artists. Her suggestions and advice are good, down-to-earth, and practical. Much of it seems like so much ‘common sense’ (except that somehow, so much of it never occurred to me before!).
This book ISN’T a magic no-fail formula, complete with a super-secret incantation that will summon instantly the success that you desire. Nor is it a step-by-step map to your career. In keeping with her realism and practicality, Holly DeWolf clearly acknowledges that everyone’s situations, goals, aspirations and career trajectory is going to be as individual as their work. Necessarily so, in fact- because it IS all up to you. Rather, she guides you to ask yourself the questions in order to come up with the answers that you need in order to develop your own map to success.
You can find the book Breaking Into Freelance Illustration in the EFII Bookstore.
What’s your favorite book about freelance Illustration? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
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Related Posts:
- Book Review – Pricing and Ethical Guidelines
- Book Review – Artist’s and Graphic Designer’s Market
- EFII Podcast Episode 10 – Breaking Into Freelance Illustration
- 7 Illustration Books You Need to Read
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I shall check this book out. Always looking for good books on the business. One book that I recently read was “My so called freelance life” by Michelle Goodman. It helped change and shape my views and thoughts on how to approach a freelance career. Like networking with other professionals. It’s something I never considered before, but once I started doing it, I got it, I understood.
I really appreciate this post and review. It’s so true, at least in my experience, that the business side of your career is hardly ever taught in art educational programs. Sure we were taught the skills, but how do we go out in the world and make a career out of it?! I still struggle with that, so will definitely look into this book. Thanks!
Great review. I picked up Holly’s book (through the EFII bookstore!) last week and have really been enjoying it. Unlike a lot of other books in this vein that I’ve read through, it’s written in a friendly, matter-of-fact tone that even makes learning about the often tedious business side of things entertaining. I’m really glad I added it to my shelf.