Summer days
Advice, recommendations, new video and more.
This week I’m sharing some stories and experiences that might help other fellow artists. I’m also including a few inspiration related recommendations, some things I’ve found interesting, and some that might help you with the creative process.
The Menu for This Week
🌳 Advice for your Online Art & Print Shops
🌳 I can be your private art career coach now! 🤓
🌳 Recommendations for Artists & Creatives
Why I Closed my Shop?
Hey Artfriends!
Are you thinking about opening an online store for your art? This step involves making many decisions on different aspects, as there are so many things to think of and take into account!
In my latest YouTube video, I share my personal journey of running an online shop and why I ultimately decided to close it. If you're an illustrator or artist, running your own shop, at the crossroads of making some important shop decisions, or just about to open your own, you’ll want to hear this story!
Some of The Big Questions:
Is it necessary to have an online store when you’re an independent artist?
What hidden challenges could you face?
How much it cost?
How do you know if it’s the right move for you?
Will I make money?
I jumped into the online shop world with high hopes and previous experience as a shop owner.
Was it everything I thought it would be? Watch the full video here:
Some of you might know that I’m very open to trying new things when it comes to my creative business. The same applied to my shop, so I literally tried everything, and that includes different products, various shop styles, multiple shipping methods.
The curious thing is that what we tend to give most attention to at the beginning usually is not that important in the long run. Seemingly small and harmless bumps, however, end up becoming a real pain! If I told you that creating shipping labels drained my time and energy and consumed hours of my time, I’m sure you’d assume I’m exaggerating, as this is such an obvious part of the business behind running a shop. What did I learn that I wish I had known from the start?
I prepared the video from my perspective, which is that of a commercial illustrator working with clients, and shop (and everything else, for that matter) are my additional income stream sources.
Intrigued? Watch the video and don’t forget to ask questions in the video comment if you want!
Join my Art Coaching Program!
I’m sure you know all by now about my coaching program for artists and illustrators! I’m super happy to be officially coaching my first small cohort, helping each one of you individually to tackle the various obstacles, so common in a freelance career.
You’re not the only one struggling, having a hard time figuring out your way, your style, your portfolio or feeling insecure when negotiating with clients – you’d be surprised how many full-time artists undercharge for their work!! This program isn’t about avoiding mistakes (they’re essential!), but about hitting those important milestones sooner with my guidance as an experienced professional illustrator.
Reminder: you can now Join My Artistic Coaching Program!
Who Is This For?
Aspiring artists and illustrators
Creatives facing career challenges
Illustrators looking to refine their style and portfolio
Those seeking personalized advice on getting clients, pricing work, and more
Anyone who feels lost in their illustration career or want to change directions
Illustrators looking for help with their art business, pricing, clients, negotiations
Artists and illustrators who feel they can’t find answers to their questions anywhere
What Will You Get?
Personalized guidance tailored to your goals and needs
Strategies to overcome freelance challenges
Tips to make your portfolio stand out
Regular follow-ups and check-ins with me
Insights on transitioning to full-time illustration
Access to my private Art Slack community.
Answers to your doubts and questions, and more ☺
You can join the waiting list (opening next cohort end of August), or book a portfolio review call (to be scheduled sooner) – all can be done in the form here:
Recommendations time
I don’t know how about you, but I love checking out other’s recommendations! So below you’ll find a bit of everything –series, art tools, a YT channel, illustration things. I hope you’ll thoroughly enjoy this very random but still well-thought through mix.
Mini-series to watch
“The Outsider," a horror mini-series based on Stephen King's book.
Although I wouldn't call myself the biggest fan of Stephen King (after reading one of his books :D), and many of the series or movies based on his books haven’t really convinced me, this one was an exception for me.
The pacing of "The Outsider" is really well balanced - it neither drags nor races through the plot. This allows the story to unfold naturally, maintaining a constant sense of suspense without feeling rushed. It captures an eerie atmosphere, without any cheap jump scares (I’m scared of jump-scares!). Instead, it builds tension through unsettling story and mood.
The series is a blend of horror with supernatural elements, intertwined with a crime/mystery drama.
One of the standout aspects of "The Outsider" is its visual style. The color grading and cinematography create a mood that reminded me of Scandinavian films, with their heavy, slow, and dark atmospheres. The frequent use of forest settings adds to the sense of isolation, making the environment itself feel like a character in the story.
Whether you are a fan of Stephen King or simply enjoy a good-and-not-too-scary horror/crime drama, "The Outsider" is available on HBO max and is worth watching.
YouTube Channel Recommendation
I’m on YouTube and I’m a big YouTube fan. All the people putting helpful and inspiring content out there for free – what could be better?
Creating content, whether it’s videos, blog posts, articles, podcasts, resources, or tools, to share with a community openly, takes courage, time, effort, lots of work, but most importantly passion and drive.
Because without them, none of it would be possible. Artists that are also content-creators (I hate this word, but it is what it is) either do it on the side, as a plus, or base their entire business strategy on it. In the case of the former, this passion is our fuel, as our content often isn’t monetized, or simply doesn’t pay much. (Speaking of, I’m thinking of making a video about my earnings on YouTube, what do you think?)
Just like many of you, my first freelance illustration steps were taken while watching YouTube and all the illustrators that were a few steps ahead of me and willing to share their experience and journey.
Holly Exley’s channel was the one I found most helpful. She’s an incredible artist, such a sensitive, kind human and a fellow animal lover. It’s not easy to find many freelancers that are as honest, open, and willing to share as Holly has always been. I’ve been a fan of her work and her videos for the longest time. Holly is also the author of my dog Lupe’s watercolor portrait that proudly decorates my living room and her illustrated stickers (Holly’s, not Lupe’s—my dog isn’t much of an artist) adorn all of my customizable surfaces.
Because of many different things lately, I haven’t been spending that much time on YouTube or social media, something I’m getting back to, as it’s an important part of my job. With that, I’m catching up on Holly’s new videos. Some time ago, she, her husband Craig, and their two amazing doggos, started a van life. Something I can only imagine as being a 360-degree life change, with numerous challenges and rewards, also meant a big switch in Holly’s content and the way she carries on with her creative business.
It’s been so interesting to follow her steps and journey, but also to observe how tough it is on us, artists and (ugh) content creators, anytime we want to pivot our content. It’s not an easy thing to do and Holly does it in such a natural, organic, and cool way.
It’s been a pleasure following her latest vlogs, and I highly recommend them to you, alongside all the older videos on her channel.
Simple but awesome - A glass pen
And last but not least, a short mention of a very cool drawing tool. Over the last few months, whenever I got a free moment, I’ve been working on a small personal project that I’ll be sharing with all of you in the form of a YouTube video once it’s ready. One of the main goals of this particular project involves experimenting with different tools, and this time I wanted to mention a glass pen.
This is a peculiar tool I’ve seen very few artists use, but those who do, create some really cool work. I’ve been considering getting one myself for the longest time, but the abundance of my at-home art supplies made me postpone this purchase. A year ago, around this time, I was gifted a glass pen by a friend (what an awesome and thoughtful present, thank you Boshra!).
A few months ago, I put it to use for the first time and I was so pleasantly surprised. I didn’t expect it to be so smooth to work with. The pen has a comfortable grip and picks up just the right amount of ink, so you don’t have to dip constantly and can draw nice precise and clean lines.
For everyone who appreciates illustrating with ink and is curious about new art tools, I strongly recommend getting it. It’s pretty accessible, with prices starting from 10 euros.
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