10 Best Resources for Aspiring Illustrators

I'm often asked to recommend books on becoming a professional illustrator. Below are my 10 best resources for aspiring illustrators. Knowledge is power, however applying the knowledge creates a professional. The list includes drawing books and business guides I consistently use as an illustrator.

1. The Book of a Hundred Hands (Dover Anatomy for Artists), George B. Bridgeman
2. Dynamic Figure Drawing, Bume Hogarth
3. The Art of Animal Drawing: Construction, Action Analysis, Caricature (Dover Art Instruction), Ken Hultgren
4. Animation (Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Archive Series), Walt Disney Company
5. Cartoon Animation (Collector's Series), Preston Blair
6. Anatomy for the Artist, Jeno Barcsay
7. Best Sketchbook, Use at least one sketchbook to practice the books listed above.
8. How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books and Get Them Published, Bicknell and Trotman
9. Graphic Artist's Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, Graphic Artist Guild
10. Your Perfect Home-Based Studio: A Guide for Designers and Other Creative Professionals, Poppy Evans

Mark Wayne Adams

Award-winning publisher of Nicholas, that's Ridiculous! A Story About Being a Boy

Contact Authors: Step 4 "Set a Date."

Lock into a date on the third email.

Determine when a client wants to release their book. If the project is six (6) months from starting, kindly email the client once every other month. Keep the enthusiasm created in the first email alive throughout all emails. Offer specific windows of illustration opportunities on your schedule. Offering a discount for working within a specific window can help keep professional illustrators busy all year.

Referrals are acceptable.

If a project is not of interest or deadline unreasonable, refer the project to another professional illustrator. Referring good contacts to other professional illustrators builds a great network of resources. An illustrators health, business, or personal life may require support from this network. Some professional illustrators may offer a referral fee for good referrals.

Mark Wayne Adams
CEO, MWA, Inc.