Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator

I love this striking Watership Down-inspired series by Raid71. If you're tempted, don't hang about, they're limited editions.

It also got me thinking about the books, films and TV shows that disturbed me as a kid. Watership Down (the 1978 film) and The NeverEnding Story are right up there... along with some of those terrifying 1970s British public information films. 😅😱

What did you watch or read when you were younger that stuck with you?

The State of Illustration, 7th Edition brings together responses from more than 1,000 freelance illustrators, in-house illustrators, artists and related creative professionals.

It looks at who is working in the industry, how they work, what they earn and the challenges they face. It is the ninth large-scale survey I have run since 2011.

Explore the full report: https://www.stateofillustration.com/

Editorial illustration has to do a lot quickly. It needs to catch the eye, make the subject readable and still leave space for the audience to think.

This piece by Driss Chaoui for Shado magazine caught my eye for exactly that reason.

See more of Driss' work: https://hireillo.com/EwW

Pride month seems to be whizzing by this year and I can't believe we haven't wished everyone Happy Pride yet! So here it is, Happy Pride Month to every wonderful human within the LGBTQIA+ community ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵🖤🤎 Make it Pride every day!

Art by the wonderful Driss Chaoui.

Just a reminder that we are a no AI platform. We do not allow AI generated "art" on the website. Our members are all real human beings creating wonderful, unique art and illustrations, using their own minds, hands, hearts and souls ❤️.

One of the best parts of Hireillo is seeing all the different kinds of illustration that sit under the same roof.

Publishing, editorial, games, advertising, murals, maps, animation, patterns, natural history, and quite a few things that don't fit neatly into a box.

Have a browse at https://www.hireillo.com/search/

Social media platforms optimise for engagement, while most artists and freelancers are ultimately looking for work. Those aren't always the same thing. A post with 50,000 views and no enquiries can feel exciting, but a post with 500 views that leads to three client conversations is often far more valuable. Visibility matters, but it's worth remembering that likes, views and shares aren't always the metrics that keep a creative business moving forward.

Artwork by John W. Tomac.

I've got more of our members' Artist Trading Cards to show you! Here we have Eric Colquhoun, Kimberley Hoffman and Jinjer Markley.

If you're a Hireillo member and would like to take part in our ATC promotions, get in touch to find out more.

I have some more of our lovely members' Artist Trading Cards to show you, featuring art by @Lynk@illo.social, @egorod@illo.social and Jennifer Howard Kicinski 🙂

A useful illustration brief doesn't need to be enormous, but it does need to answer the questions that shape the work:

What is being made?
Where will it be used?
Who is it for?
When is it needed?
What budget is available?
Which rights are required?

A clear brief makes sure both client and illustrator know what's needed. Save this checklist for your next commission 🙂

Week, new, happy! 🤪 Are you looking forward to the week, or do you feel in need of a break already?

Art: Business Bunny by Michael Reeves 🐰

Our three fabulous Featured Artists this week are Moira Millman, Mark Reihill and Laura Sfiat, all very experienced and skilled illustrators. See more of their work in their portfolios:

Moira - https://hireillo.com/cWh
Mark - https://hireillo.com/cSV
Laura - https://hireillo.com/cMp

Ta-da! Here's our latest newsletter, jam-packed with illustration goodness 🤩 You can see the full newsletter at https://www.hireillo.com/TFd

Art by Beth Brooks · Vicky Scott · Julia Allum · Meroë · Emily Hurst Pritchett · Jeremy Wilson · Sue Todd

We have three fabulous new Featured Artists for you: Sue Todd, Ren Elizabeth and Nathan Shelton. Their portfolios are packed with amazing art and are well worth a look 👇

Sue - https://hireillo.com/db4
Ren - https://hireillo.com/cyg
Nathan - https://hireillo.com/cdY

I've added an American English version of the Ultimate Artist Contract alongside the existing British English version. Both versions are included with every purchase, and existing customers can download the updated files free of charge.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the contract and shared feedback. Your real-world experiences and suggestions have helped make it better.

👉 https://shop.hireillo.com/l/artist-contract

Here are our latest Featured Artists, the brilliant SP:Zero, John W. Tomac and Anne-Marie Perks ❤️ They create distinctive, unique, non-AI illustrations, perfect for all kinds of projects. Check out more of their work in their portfolios!

SP:Zero - https://hireillo.com/daS
John - https://hireillo.com/cEg
Anne-Marie - https://hireillo.com/cdS

Happy May Day! It's been a long week, so we hope you're ready to switch off and enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend - we certainly are!

This lovely illustration by Elisabeth Alba feels very fitting 🌼

Check out our latest Featured Artists Leilani Coughlan, Bridget Dowty and Scott Monaco ❤️

See more of their work in their portfolios:
Leilani - https://hireillo.com/cM3
Bridget - https://hireillo.com/cid
Scott - https://hireillo.com/c3A

Bunnies, Bears and Tooting Elephants - the Hireillo newsletter is here! Check out all the amazing work and artists over at https://www.hireillo.com/TyA

Art by Tom Pląskowski · Driss Chaoui · Chris Thornley/Raid71 · Matt Curtis · Michael Reeves · Elly Walton · Christina Wald

A useful heads-up for illustrators, comic creators and artists selling physical work into the EU.

Although this infographic is aimed at Ireland, it explains the new €3 customs charge on low-value purchases arriving from outside the EU.

The charge can apply to each distinct type of item in a parcel, not just once per order, so bundles of comics, prints, stickers or books could become noticeably more expensive.

Check the official guidance and make sure your postage and pricing still add up too.

Featured Artists, ahoy! Here are our latest featured members, the wonderful Linzie Hunter, Daniel Roig and Sabrina Pohle ❤️

Check out more of their fantastic work:

Linzie - https://hireillo.com/cNR
Daniel - https://hireillo.com/cpy
Sabrina - https://hireillo.com/c6K

Time for a quick check-in. Is your week going... or is it just existing in a state of perpetual low-grade client anxiety? 🫠

If you feel seen by this question, drop an emoji below that sums up your current workflow mood.

(Mine is currently a very tired badger.) 🦡

'Unlucky for Some' art by @beach@illo.social for Baker's Dozen.

It's time for our latest newsletter: Disney Villains, Radio Times and All About History! It's chock-a-block with amazing illustrations - you can see the whole thing at https://www.hireillo.com/Ts5

Art by David Cousens · Steven Noble · Liz Kay · Dan Strange · @egorod@illo.social · Alex Hahn · Anton Brand

A little taster of some of our members' Artist Trading cards, which we send out to clients. Featured here are Scott Balmer, Timothy Banks and Keith Seidel.

Cursed By Shadows, The Patriot, Harvard Business Review: our latest newsletter has winged its way into the wild! Check out all the fantastic art that's inside over at https://www.hireillo.com/TdW

If you'd like to receive our newsletters to your inbox, you can become a Follower over on our website.

Art by @kristinagehrmann@mastodon.art · Phil Gormley · @paulshipper@illo.social · Kerry Hyndman · Matt Curtis · Julia Allum · John W. Tomac

Happy Monday, everyone - and hurrah for cooler weather! 😃

Whether you're diving straight into client work, catching up on emails, updating your portfolio, or simply trying to remember what day it is, we hope this week gets off to a good start.

Art by Hireillo member Alex Hahn ✨

A useful illustration quote depends on more than the time required to make the work.

Before pricing, I want to know what is being made, how it will be used, where, for how long, whether the rights are exclusive, when it is due and how many revisions are expected.

Miss one of those and the quote can wobble very quickly. Which detail do you find hardest to pin down?

Full Membership is for professional illustrators who want ongoing support as well as a Hireillo Portfolio.

It includes priority for client referrals, pricing advice, contract guidance, portfolio support, promotion and general freelance help.

Hireillo is not an agency and membership doesn't guarantee work. It does give you somewhere to be seen by potential clients and ask practical questions when freelance life gets fiddly.

Explore Full Membership over at https://www.hireillo.com/join/

🚨 Scam Warning 🚨

A new version of the old "workshop project" scam is doing the rounds. It claims to be from an academic event organiser, praises your portfolio, and asks about your availability and payment terms.

Do not reply or share any details. Mark it as spam.

It's the end of the week already, so I'll leave you with this fun comic by Lizz Lunney on the simple pleasures of life as a dog. If only being human was this good! I hope you have a fabulous weekend ❤️

Dog Day Out by Lizz Lunney 🐕

Hello, lovely people. How's your month going so far? Mine was ticking along quite well until I heard the new Stargate series was cancelled 😢. To cheer myself up, I've been having a nose at the upcoming BlueBrixx Stargate Atlantis set, which definitely counts as productive research and not procrastination at all 😂. Right, that's enough avoiding the to-do list for one day. Back to work for me!

Happy Monday, folks! I was looking through some member portfolios this morning and this piece by Amy Dunn made me smile 😊. I hope you have a wonderful week!

We’re super chuffed to be supporting Birmingham Design Festival again this year! It’s always such an incredible celebration of creativity, collaboration and the brilliant talent across the design community, and we’re buzzing to be part of it once again.

From inspiring talks to amazing people, BDF is always a calendar highlight and we can’t wait to see what this year brings!!! Tickets are available via https://birminghamdesignfestival.org.uk/whats-on/

I've always had a soft spot for classic film noir, and this new piece by Micah Champion is no exception. His alternative poster for D.O.A., the 1950 noir classic, captures the atmosphere of the film with a striking monochrome palette and bold graphic style.

It's now available as a print from the Hireillo Press Shop. https://press.hireillo.com/products/d-o-a

If you're into alternative takes on classic cinema posters, or just enjoy having interesting art on your walls, it's well worth a look. 😊

Some more of our wonderful members' Artist Trading Cards: Kimberley Hoffman, Danielle Rose Fisher and Tom Pląskowski.

Don't forget that if you work with artists, you can request a mail pack of cards tailored to the kind of art you commission - they're great to keep to hand for when you need to hire an illustrator!

Snacks, Spongebob and the Cat Bite Club! Yep, this week's newsletter is here and it's packed with fabulous art! You can see it at https://www.hireillo.com/S2S

Art by Tom Pląskowski · Elisabeth Alba · Brian Allen · Aliena Riu · Mark Reihill · Driss Chaoui · @sarahjcoleman@illo.social

Our latest newsletter is here, full of arty fabulousness by our wonderful members ❤️ Check out the whole thing over at https://www.hireillo.com/Tjt

Art by Beach · @sarahjcoleman@illo.social · Dan Strange · Tom Pląskowski · Elisabeth Alba · Tim Lord · Driss Chaoui

Three fabulous cards from a recent batch of our Artist Trading Cards, featuring Alexandra Bobolina, Tariq Singleton and Driss Chaoui ❤️

Feast your eyes on this incredible illustrated map by Elly Walton for Stevens Cooperative School. This isn't just a map, it’s an entire world built around learning! ❤️ See more at hireillo.com/Te8

Darren and I went along to the "May The Toys Be With You" exhibition at Leicester Museum at the weekend and spotted @paulshipper@illo.social's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker IMAX movie poster while we were there. It's always great to see members' work out and about in the wild ✨

Convention season is already in full swing, and I’d love to hear what everyone’s up to.

Have you got a table booked at any conventions or comic cons this year? Planning to go along as a visitor? Or maybe there’s an event you’ve got your eye on as a future stall holder?

Let me know in the replies and let’s see where this year is taking you 👇

Here are our latest featured artists: Kathryn Corlett, Sawsan Chalabi and Carlos Cuesta Dolz. This fabulous bunch have some stunning work in their portfolios - head on over to take a look!

Kathryn - https://hireillo.com/cG5
Sawsan - https://hireillo.com/c76
Carlos - https://hireillo.com/cjk

The Witcher, Thunderhawks and the Foraging Fairy 🧚‍♂️ The latest newsletter has arrived, featuring a selection of our members' recent news, plus our featured artists and newest members. You can see it at https://www.hireillo.com/Tps

Art by David Cousens · Jeremy Wilson · Michael Hacker · Vicky Scott · Randy Haldeman · Shirley Chiang · Alice Lockhart

Here's this week's Hireillo newsletter, featuring fabulous illustrations from our members ❤️ See some of their newest work, our featured artists and most recent members, too. Pop over to https://www.hireillo.com/S6k to see the whole thing!

Art by Elly Walton · Cathy-Reene · Micah Champion · Liz Kay · @egorod@illo.social · Vicky Scott · Jennifer S. Lange

I've just made more dates available for Portfolio Reviews with Darren. These are 90 minute, one-to-one video calls for artists and illustrators that are fully geared to your individual circumstances and aspirations. Hireillo Full members get a 50% discount 🙂

https://shop.hireillo.com/l/review-with-darren

Areas covered include: perfecting your portfolio, promoting your work, managing your online presence, finding and keeping clients, and lots more.

Featured Artists, ahoy!

Our latest Featured Artists are the wonderful Henry Chandra, Andrea Bojkovska and Matthew Hughes. You can see more of their work and get in touch with them at their portfolios.

Henry - https://hireillo.com/cye
Andrea - https://hireillo.com/ccX
Matthew - https://hireillo.com/cTH

Birmingham Design Festival is on next week!!!!

Most (if not all) of the talks and workshops are free! Make sure to visit their site and grab the tickets you want before they're gone. This is NOT an online event, so only grab tickets if you can actually make it to Birmingham (UK) next week.

Greg McLeod (one half of The Brothers McLeod) will be talking about his debut graphic novel, The Existential Musings of Mee and Burd, this Saturday 18th April at The Garden Cinema in London. There will also be a selection of his short films being screened.

The Existential Musings of Mee and Burd can currently be found on Kickstarter.

RE: @darrendilieto@illo.social

Darren recently wrote an article about freelance contracts for signwriting magazine, BLAG! Shout out to David Cousens for his accompanying illustration, too ✨