Today, I was reading about small steps to help you get unstuck in your mental or physical health. This small intervention cycle hinges on the idea that making a tiny, manageable change can begin to rewrite our habits. I immediately realized the same is true for our creativity. If you’re feeling stuck in your creative practice, this small change approach can help you get unstuck.

While artistic voice emerges, often subconsciously, over time, you can also take some deliberate and planned steps to harmonize your voice. A frequently underutilized tool for defining your artistic voice is creating a signature colour palette for your work. Many illustrators use repeated hues, saturation levels, contrast levels and other colour-based techniques to define their work to great success.

I’m passionate about creating comics and writing fiction, but I also work with students who are interested in animation, film, theatre, children’s books, and many other areas. The thing is, storytelling is storytelling, whatever your chosen medium. Storytelling is the beating heart of so much narrative media, and I consider it an essential skill for illustrators to master. But how do you master it?

One of my earliest posts on the blog was 5 Tips to Start a Daily Drawing Practice. I really do draw 99% of days, and people often ask me how I started and maintain that practice. And while I don’t think drawing every single day is the only, or even the essential, step to being an illustrator, I can understand why people are interested in developing this habit.

Despite some setbacks in the industry (like generative AI or the bankruptcy of Diamond Distributors), the comic publishing industry in 2025 is experiencing several notable trends that reflect evolving reader preferences and technological advancements. Here are five trends we’re seeing in 2025.

I’ve been obsessed with the farming sim video game Coral Island for the last couple of weeks. This hit game is known for a highly successful Kickstarter campaign in 2021 (over $1.6 million!) and charming, Disney-styled illustrations alongside eco-conscious themes. And, of course, as an illustrator, I loved the delightful character designs and stories!

I spend as much time writing stories as I do illustrating graphic novels, which means I think a lot about the craft of writing. No matter what type of media you work in, whether comics, animation, film, or novels, storytelling is central to your creation. So, what do you need to tell a successful story?

Yesterday on the blog, I posted ten tips for getting started in illustration. Step three included learning drawing basics, including working with basic shapes. But what does that mean? This fundamental skill is really integral to illustration, so we are going to break it down in today’s post.

Starting your journey as an illustrator might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking to dive deeper, there are simple steps you can follow to kickstart your illustration adventure. Let’s break it down into easy, actionable tips.

I recently played (and Platinumed) Dragon Age: the Veilguard. And while at first I could not stop comparing to Baldur’s Gate 3, to DA’s detriment, it fast won me over. Now, it’s fair to say I’m obsessed. And the number one thing that made me love this game? The character design.

Style is perhaps one of the most important and most elusive aspects of an artist’s portfolio. Illustrators find clients based on a match between customer and artist, galleries choose artists to represent based on what fits their energy, and fans find us all on social media based on something catching their eye in the endless feed of internet content. But how do you define and refine your style as an artist?

Many beginners feel nervous when starting figure drawing. The fear of making mistakes can stop people from picking up a pencil. But the truth is that mistakes are part of learning, and they help you improve. Building confidence in figure drawing means changing how you think about mistakes and practicing in ways that support growth.

When it comes to learning figure drawing, artists often wonder whether they should draw from live models or photographs. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Understanding how each impacts your artistic growth can help you decide how to use them effectively.

Adobe Photoshop used to hold the top spot for digital illustration software. Other options were available, but often were a matter of budget because no other software came close to the capabilities of PS. But then Procreate changed the game in 2011 and digital illustration has never been the same.

Sometimes, as an artist, you have a lot of ideas swirling around in your head, but it can feel overwhelming to organize them. That’s where mind mapping comes in. A mind map is a simple tool that helps you visually organize your thoughts. It can turn abstract ideas into clear, workable concepts.

Have you ever looked at something ordinary and suddenly noticed how beautiful or interesting it is? That’s the power of observation. For artists, developing this skill can be a game-changer. The world is full of inspiration, but it’s easy to miss when rushing through life or distracted by screens. By practicing mindfulness and sharpening your observational skills, you can find endless ideas for your art in everyday life. Let’s explore how to do this.

Fear of failure is something almost every artist struggles with at some point. You might worry that your work isn’t good enough, that others will judge it, or that you’ll never meet your expectations. This fear can stop you from creating altogether.

When people think about creativity, they often imagine total freedom—no rules, no boundaries, just endless possibilities. But sometimes, too much freedom can feel overwhelming. You might stare at a blank page or canvas and not know where to start. That’s where constraints come in.

Illustration degrees are becoming more popular at universities and colleges, which is a cool development for those of us in the field who love to see illustration get a fair representation in the visual arts canon! If you’re interested in pursuing an illustration degree, there are many career paths you can choose from, some of which you might not expect.

I’ve written before about how I worked in the print finishing industry after I graduated from art school. It was an eye-opening experience that I still lean on when working on my creative projects (or helping other artists with theirs!) Sometimes, printing feels intimidating. We have the art and the ideas, but we don’t know how to execute it! Well, I’ve got you covered with some advice in this list of five things you probably didn’t know about the printing industry.