As children we are taught to draw, or at least to give free rein to our imagination through drawing. As we grow up, the beloved series call us so much that we want to emulate those drawings that we like so much. And we draw. But, what if you feel true vocation for it? How to learn to illustrate?
If you consider that your thing in the near or distant future is illustration, We are going to give you some steps to turn that passion into your job and that work on your happiness. You are able?
copy others
When you're starting out, you don't have your own style of illustration, but you know other people's, and you're even capable of emulating it so much that many times they don't know if what they have in front of them is an original or not.
When learning to illustrate, first you have to know who inspires you. And for that, you have to know so much about him or her that you are able to emulate their own work.
With that we do not mean that you are going to copy or steal their work; neither that you are a clone of this. But the beginnings of any illustrator go through copying the work of those they admire. Little by little he is transforming, turning around and creating your own style. But the base is there.
These worksor more surely it is that they only serve you as an initiation, you won't be able to do much more, but it will give you experience and, above all, it will increase that passion for wanting to be just like that illustrator you admire and, later, for surpassing him.
Don't stop drawing
We know. The illustrator career, like many others, is not a bed of roses. Rather it is thorny. And it's normal that sometimes you want to throw in the towel, that you think you're wasting time... But if it really is your vocation, don't stop drawing. At any time, instant, situation... he draws. Whether you're feeling sad or you're elated. Every drawing you make will put you one step closer to your goal. And believe it or not, all of this is experience.
Therefore, always have a notebook and pencil handy. Just like writers go with a notebook to jot down notes or ideas about their novels, as an illustrator you should too. Anything you see can inspire you and this muse should catch you ready.
Read books
There are very good books that teach you the art of illustration, who give you advice, examples, etc. Why not read them? It is true that, if you do not have a base, they can sound like Chinese when they talk about certain techniques or a more professional language. But there are many levels and you can start with the basic books while practicing.
In addition, if you're good at languages, we recommend that you don't just stick with books in your native language, but look in others. The approach, the way of understanding illustration, even the techniques can have a totally different point of view from the one you have read and that will give you a unique experience because you will see that you can create your own style.
Get some good tools
To learn to illustrate you need to have the necessary tools to work. Starting with a space where you feel calm, you can concentrate and you are not disturbed.
It is true that these tools may not be cheap, but you have to see them as if they were an investment. Obviously, the ones that are going to be spent will not be as much, and at first you can use cheaper ones. But as you advance in your creative career, you will need the best by your side to do your job well.
Pencils, markers, charcoal, pens of different strokes, paints, watercolors, even, If you want to dedicate yourself to digital illustration, you will need to equip your computer of the necessary accessories.
Find tutorials and videos on Youtube
With new technologies, you can't just keep books. Tutorials on the Internet, videos on YouTube, even podcasts can come in handy.
In fact, there are many creatives now who dare to show how they work, or how they have carried out an illustration from the first line they have put in it. All these are experiences that you have at your fingertips (before this was unthinkable) and can be true gems in your training. So don't put them aside because you can learn a lot from them.
Take courses, workshops... get trained
To learn to illustrate you don't have to do a career. It is true that this helps because you know the basics, but youYou can also do courses, workshops, specific training… You just have to look for them and encourage yourself to do them.
Experience
There are lots of techniques. It is possible that, if you like illustration, you will opt for one and that you want to be the best in it. But doesn't mean you can't experiment with the other. Even if they don't catch your eye at first, try them out! Sometimes ignorance makes us miss out on opportunities that could improve everything.
In addition, If you want to know illustration in depth, you have to try the techniques, all of them: tools, surfaces, collages, strokes, painting materials, etc. Maybe you still want the one you fell in love with at first. Or maybe you discover that you are a crack in a technique that not many use and yet for you it is as natural as breathing.
make yourself known
We know, right now what you are looking for is how to learn to illustrate. But once you have the basics, when you are perfecting and you continue studying and improving, It does not hurt to take advantage and make yourself known. Create your creative personal brand.
Why? Well, because you are going to make your way, make others see your work, if they like it, they follow you and little by little you will create a community around you. They will see your progress, they will see you grow as an illustrator and that often makes the public loyal and also makes them see what you are capable of.
We know that the path that awaits you is not easy. None is. But if you want to learn to illustrate, you have to start at the beginning and that means gradually discovering everything that this art can offer you. Where are you going on your way?