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[dearartdirector]

Dear ADs, What do I do when an AD doesn’t respond and takes forever to give feedback on sketches and WIPs? It’s only my second job with a publisher and I was given a pretty tight deadline but had to wait 3-5 days for an answer between each step, so I ended up working on weekends and through a national holiday to still deliver on time and it’s really messing with my health. Is that normal? -Thank you!

Anonymous - it's okay to ask for deadline extensions!!! In the future, if you're on a tight deadline, ask the AD to respond to you within a certain timeframe. For example, "In order to meet the deadline of (DATE), I need feedback from you by (DATE). Looking forward to hearing the team's thoughts on these sketches." That way, you're letting the AD know what YOU need in order to meet the deadline. It's a polite way of putting the ball in their court.

If they don't send feedback by the date you asked for, a good AD will offer you a deadline extension. If they don't, it's okay to ask for one. "Because of the delay in receiving feedback, a deadline extension on this would be really helpful for me. Would it be possible to move it back to Monday?" An extension might not always be possible, but it doesn't hurt to ask. A good AD will not think less of you for asking. An AD who takes forever to respond, won't budge on the deadline, and gets mad at you for asking, is a crummy AD.

-Agent Thumbnail

[dearartdirector]

What do I do when I receive conflicting advice in portfolio reviews?

First, think about HOW you’re asking for a review. Do you give the reviewer a little context on where you’re coming from and where you’re like to go with your art? For example, are you saying, “I’m a second year art student and I’d like to go into concept art for games. What do you think I need to work on to get my portfolio to a professional level?” If you just sit there in nervous silence, the reviewer will just be giving you very general advice.

Second, be intentional about WHO you’re asking for reviews. You should mostly ask for portfolio reviews from people who work in the industry you want to work in. People naturally give advice that’s colored by their own experience and preferences, so they tend to tell you what THEY would draw. Someone who works in the industry you want to work in is more likely to steer you in the right direction.

On the same note, DON’T ask friends and family for portfolio reviews. If they’re not artists, they’ll say all sorts of random stuff that’s based on the kind of art they personally like rather than what would get you a job. Same goes for random people on the internet - if they’re not pros who work in the industry you aspire to, or members of a critique group that you trust, take their feedback with a grain of salt.

Third, you don’t have to take all portfolio reviews as the gospel truth, even if it comes from pros. If something just isn’t clicking with you, isn’t helping you move forward with your art, it’s ok to quietly set that advice aside.

-Agent Thumbnail

[dearartdirector]

Dear AD, I'm an over-booked artist who isn't taking on new work. What's the best, most concise way to pass on a project without scaring off the AD from coming back in the future?

“Hi (AD name)! Thank you so much for considering me for this project. Unfortunately my schedule is currently full and I’m not able to take on more work until around (this fall/next year/whenever). But I’d love to work with you and I hope that you’ll keep me in mind for future projects. Thanks again.”

-Agent Thumbnail

[dearartdirector]

Dear AD, I've recently accepted a commission from a long-time friend, but the project is totally different from my own style and what I'd like to be known for (my friend wants an old impressionistic portrait while my work generally gravitates towards graphic ink and watercolors). I took the work primarily for the exposure, but I'm just wondering if this was the right thing to do? And is it worth promoting on my own website/socials if it's so different from all my other work?

Only put the work that you want to be known for, or work that you want more of, in your portfolio. Just consider this portrait a one-off favor for a friend and don’t promote it. When it’s done, work on creating pieces that look like the work your dream clients commission. Here’s a great post by Wylie Beckert about creating a targeted portfolio sample, to attract more of the kind of work that you really want.

-Agent Thumbnail

[dearartdirector]

DAD, I'm going through a tough time as a freelancer, I haven't been getting any work and I'm starting to worry about my future&life&existence. A few months ago I was getting a lot of work and making a lot of money and feeling great! Now no one returns my emails or they tell me the'll get in touch and they never do. I've been doing stuff for my self and keep my portfolio updated, but I'm stressing. Why don't they like me anymore? Thanks for everything, SadPencil123

What you’re experiencing is normal. Freelancing work tends to come in waves. When all that sweet cash is flowing in, thank the freelancing gods and stick it in a savings account. When work dries up, use that money to support yourself while keeping productive.

Some ideas for the dry spells: Sign up for some figure drawing classes. Give yourself a small series of personal illustrations to complete. Put together a zine with some friends. Update and streamline your website. Send out a quarterly postcard mailing. Research finances for freelancers. Take an online class.

As has been stated on this blog multiple times - the publishing industry works slowly, and sometimes it takes ADs months or years to find the right project for you to work on. It’s not a matter of whether they “like” you or not.

The only thing you can do in the meantime is continue to improve your work and promote yourself. In the long term, as you continue to build a reputation and steady clients, work may even out and become more predictable.

-Agent Thumbnail

[dearartdirector]

DAD, I illustrated my 1st picture book this last year. The Kirkus Review for it just came in and it isn't stellar. Should I apologize to my publisher? I don't 100% understand these reviews. Does this mean my book will do poorly and the publisher will never ask me to work with them again? (That sounds so overly dramatic, I know but... I can't help feeling like I let everyone down.) Thanks for all you do!

HELL NO DON’T APOLOGIZE!

Publishers don’t expect every book to be a bestseller and receive nothing but glowing reviews. They’re professionals, and they’ve released a lot of books to good, bad and mediocre reviews. They’re not taking this as hard as you are, nor are they holding the book’s performance against you.

I assume that their last interaction with you was positive. They obviously were satisfied with your work, or else they wouldn’t have published it! If you apologize, then you’re not only implying that they made a bad decision by publishing you, but it also suggests that perhaps you didn’t do your best. And you did your best, right?

If you submitted good work, communicated well, and met your deadlines, then most likely this client has nothing but good thoughts towards you. Always do your best, and you will illustrate many more books in the future.

-Agent Thumbnail

[dearartdirector]

Dear AD, an award-winning agency had reached out to me last year about doing a series of illustrated posters for a large advertising campaign involving two huge clients. The project also involved a physical aspect that was a BIG ask and out of the norm for an artist/illustrator. When it came time to talk about rates, they said their budget was low and asked if I had a pro-bono rate. Needless to say, it fell through. My question is: Will my work ever be valued so that I can be paid appropriately?

Absolutely.You experienced a classic Client From Hell. Receiving proposals from people who have Big Ideas But No Budget is, unfortunately, just part of being an artist with an online presence. All artists, both pros and beginners, hear from these slimeballs once in a while. Don’t take it too personally, or as a statement on the value of your work, or of the overall viability of a career in art. This is just a thing that’s going to annoyingly pop into your inbox sometimes.There are clients out there who value artwork, will treat you with respect, and can pay professional wages. Keep going, keep searching for quality clients, and keep polishing your art to a professional level.

Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

-Agent Thumbnail

[dearartdirector]

Hi DAD, This may seem like an odd question, but...how much public speaking is involved with being an illustrator? How often do illustrators have to give presentations and for what scenarios do illustrators give presentations. I have a lot of anxiety about public speaking and don’t want public speaking to be part of my illustration career. If I can craft my own career where it doesn’t involve giving presentations I would like to do that, but worry I’m limiting myself to opportunities.

Most freelance illustrators work at home and communicate with clients over email and occasionally by phone. You do the drawings, you get paid. Public speaking isn’t a part of the job unless you actively seek out speaking gigs.

It’s an excellent career choice for introverts.

-Agent Thumbnail