How to learn the incredible techniques of popular illustrators for free

A scam-like, cheap title

“How to learn the incredible techniques of popular illustrators for free.”It’s a scam-like title, isn’t it?It sounds like something a tanuki would use to trick you. I’m sure people in the illustration industry are frowning, wondering what kind of person would use such a cheap title. I myself think it’s a terrible title. However, this is a story I want aspiring illustrators who were lured in by this title to read, especially middle and high school students, and their parents.

Before you buy paid articles on note

This isn’t a prophecy or anything, and I’m sure you’ve all already noticed, but this year, the number of paid articles on note introducing the work, know-how, how to earn money, and the background of how they got into this job as an illustrator will explode. I myself am currently preparing such articles.

There are several projects in the works. The story of how I published my first book, the story of how I came to paint a mural at a train station, and why I ended up working as an illustrator. Ah, I want to write paid articles soon. And I want you to buy them. If possible, I want to open a membership quickly and have many people join. Tips! Please give me tips!

But, please wait a moment.

To those who want to become illustrators. Especially the middle and high school students I mentioned earlier. Adults too, but honestly, paying for the articles on work content, know-how, and how to earn money that I listed earlier is a bit, no, quite early. I understand the desire to read such articles. I really do. People in the same industry who are interested should definitely read them, buy them,and join the memberships. I think those who have already started their journey as illustrators, or those who are already working as illustrators but want to sell more and have a breakthrough, should also read them. Also, they would be interesting to read simply as reading material. However, isn't it a bit too early for middle and high school students or those who have just started to become interested to pay for them? But there is a way for such people to read and learn the incredible techniques and pitching methods of popular illustrators for free.

Instead of note, Illustration Note

There is a magazine in the world called Illustration Note.

It is a magazine published by Seibundo Shinkosha. It is a magazine that not only introduces the art of Yutanpo Shirane, Tatsuro Kiuchi, OHGUSHI, and other amazing illustrators, but also publishes the know-how of how they draw.

In this way, techniques that are no exaggeration to call trade secrets for illustrators are introduced in great detail, complete with photos. Of course, techniques of people who do not do note or SNS are also introduced. Not only that, depending on the special feature, it is a magazine packed with information for those who want to make a living with illustration, such as pitching techniques for illustrators and elements of illustrators that editors are looking for.

Wait, that's a magazine!
It's not free!
You have to buy it!

Please don't throw stones. Ouch, ouch, ouch. I understand. That's right. It's a magazine. It costs money. Also, please don't throw stones at my colleagues who are currently developing or preparing paid articles on note. Actually, I know that this proposal is tightening the noose around my own neck as I plan future paid articles about illustration on note. This is a proposal made with that in mind. However, I still think that this kind of knowledge is necessary before middle and high school students easily buy paid articles.

You can borrow magazines.

The three images above are the search pages of several local government libraries that I thought of on the spot. That's right. Libraries.Aspiring illustrators in middle and high school. What you should look at first is not paid articles on note, but the library's search page. Please borrow all the Illustration Note magazines you can borrow at the library.If there is no Illustration Note, borrow every book and magazine related to illustration you can find, and read them from cover to cover. Then, draw.

Borrow, read, draw, and show.

Draw the art of illustrators whose art you admire, whose art you like, or art that you think you might be able to imitate. And show your art to people. Tell them, this is the kind of art I draw. Show it to people around you or upload it to SNS. Go and pitch it. You might actually get work. You might worry about money or copyright. Books about money and copyright for illustrations are sometimes available in libraries. Search for them and borrow them.

There is a service called Calil that allows you to easily search for the collection information and lending status of libraries nationwide.

Also, if it does not appear on the search page of your nearest library, if you fill out a 'reservation/request card' available at the library and take it to the counter, they will order it for you if it is in the collection of a library within the prefecture.

It all started with Illustration Note

The reason I recommend Illustration Note so highly is that it was the magazine that got me started in the illustration business. I majored in film in college and got a job at a commercial production company because I admired the world of film and commercials. I had loved drawing since I was a child, but I had no intention of making a living from it, nor did I think it was possible. However, when I was feeling depressed because the work of video production didn't suit me at all, I happened to pick up Illustration Note at a bookstore.

As I flipped through the pages, I remembered the joy of drawing and started drawing again. Before I knew it, I had given up on video production and quit my job. And now, I make a living drawing illustrations and storyboards.

Illustration is also recommended

Besides Illustration Note, there is also a magazine called Illustration. This one doesn't feature as much how-to content, but it has more interviews that reveal the work of illustrators and their personalities. This was another magazine I often bought. I recommend searching for both when you look them up at the library.

Advice from many years ago, before platforms like Note were common, might seem outdated. You might think, 'Going to the library is a hassle! I'll just Google it! I'll watch YouTube!' The ways to pitch your work have likely changed as well. However, it is certain that these magazines contain incredible techniques not introduced in those other media. The basic techniques of drawing don't change that much. Once you've read them, all that's left is to draw. In the end, if you don't draw, you won't sell, and work won't come your way. Now, please head over to your library's search page.

Thank you for reading. Finally, did you notice something here? That's right.Even though I am an illustrator, I have not been featured in either Illustration Note or Illustration.Unfortunately! I feel like I'm doing a decent amount of work, but I suppose it means I'm not yet at the level where my presence would boost their circulation. I need to work harder. Let's both do our best. Also, please be careful, as obviously cheap and suspicious titles can sometimes contain truly terrible content. Take care. See you.

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please just give me a follow!