In my last post on productivity, I focused on beginner-friendly productivity hacks for illustrators and creators of all kinds. These were not necessarily for beginner artists, but for people who were beginners at trying to improve their creative output. Today, we are continuing our focus on improved productivity with some intermediate-level activities designed to take you to the next level in your creative practice, utilizing the therapeutic lens of DBT.

Japanese illustration took the world by storm after 1853, when American Commodore Matthew Perry forcefully opened the closed nation to international trade. Western artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh, became obsessed with ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) and avid collectors. To this day, many in the Western world retain a fascination for Japanese illustrative culture. And for good reason- Japanese illustration is a serious craft and one worth studying.

In my work as an art coach, I often get asked how to improve motivation and productivity. In some cases, I can serve as an accountability partner for my students, but having one instructor who you see on occasion be your ONLY tool for productivity is not necessarily gonna cut it. As a notoriously productive artist, I’m compiling my best productivity tips into a series of posts for beginner, intermediate and advanced level productivity hacks in your art journey. Let’s get going.

Illustration is a broad and ever-growing field of creative practice. As new technology emerges, so do new illustration careers. Who would have guessed the WebToon artist would one day be a career for some people? With such a dynamic art form, it can be tricky to know if you want to be an illustrator and if you are ready to be an illustrator. This checklist will help you decide your next steps.

My ideal studio space involves a comfy chair where I can recline with my iPad on my lap or a counter where I can sit or stand to work. It would have soft music, good snacks and tea, and my collection of reference books nearby. But something interesting happened when I was forced to work in the complete opposite set-up - I hit a flow zone early, took new risks, and came out the other side energized.

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.