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Case study

Freelance illustrator - Shri Gunasekara

Shri studied BA Illustration at Arts University Plymouth. She now works as a freelance illustrator

What inspired you to pursue a career in illustration?

I have always had a love for storytelling. However, being dyslexic, I struggled communicating these ideas verbally and in written form. So I decided to pursue illustration, where I could express these complex ideas with clear, confident execution.

How did you establish your career when starting out as a freelance illustrator?

Illustration is quite a slow-burning career path, so it's vital you have patience with yourself.

I began by immersing myself in the illustration community by attending many art fairs, being active online and engaging with other artists similar to me. Community is essential in every industry; it's a very small world, and you can learn a lot from your fellow creatives.

Tell us more about working freelance. What does this involve?

Well, surprisingly enough, you actually are only drawing for about 35%-50% of the time. The rest of the time is spent running a business. This includes tasks such as:

  • business planning
  • contacting potential clients and retailers
  • communicating with clients about artwork
  • preparing artwork for selling
  • social media
  • submitting forms for fairs or competitions.

A lot of things are not drawing-related, but the drawing part of it makes it all worth it.

What tasks do you regularly complete as an illustrator?

My daily tasks can include:

  • drawing client work and personal projects to add to my portfolio
  • emailing people/potential clients
  • morning sketches/warm up
  • organising projects and pitches
  • planning fairs
  • replying to clients with sketches/contracts/final artworks.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

  • going on walks
  • Instagram
  • listening to music
  • my own sketches
  • Pinterest
  • reading comics and graphic novels
  • watching films.

What mediums/materials do you work with?

My finished work is digital but for all my development work (sketches and thumbnails), I work with my sketchbook, using sticky notes and a pen.

What part of your job brings you the most satisfaction?

The drawing, specifically the colouring process, such a satisfying step.

What are the challenges?

Not being able to draw all the time. It can also be challenging doing admin while being dyslexic, so I have to really pace myself and make sure I’m using all the support tools I can.

What three skills should all good illustrators possess?

You need the ability to:

  • visually communicate with your artwork (you don’t actually have to be any good at drawing)
  • be organised and self-motivated
  • not take no too personally.

If you don't have these abilities yet, don't worry. These things can be learned over time and are something I'm still learning to this day.

What's been your biggest career highlight to date?

I have just got my first 200-page graphic novel published by Indie Publishers InkeyFuite.co.

What tips can you give on putting together a creative portfolio?

  • Work on what you love (because people will commission you based on those pieces of artwork, and you don't want to be committed to doing something you hate doing).
  • Make sure all your work is in context - if you want to make comics, show comics, if you want to do t-shirt design then put your design on t-shirts (this can be a digital mock-up, but better is if you actually can put it on a t-shirt).
  • Less is more, don't have everything you've ever created in there, make it the best items, maybe 10-15 of your strongest work.

What are your career ambitions?

I would like to get published by Flying Eye, Nowbrow and Image comics one day. I would also like to work with other writers in creating comics.

Are you a member of a professional organisation, if so how has this aided your career?

I am a member of the Association of Illustrators (AOI), and they are very helpful for understanding the business side of illustration.

What advice can you give to other aspiring illustrators?

  • Have a personal sketchbook and draw every day (or as much as you can).
  • Unless you go to a very specialised university they don't teach you how to draw, they teach you how to make your work professional and how to present your work. If you want to learn anatomy, perspective, or anything drawing related, you have to teach yourself (it's what I did).
  • I would highly recommend using a pen when sketching in your sketchbook; it makes your line confidence so much stronger. It also helps for you to be able to see exactly what is wrong with your drawing.

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