Artist Q&A | Getting Started, Marketing, Commissions, Etsy

Рет қаралды 2,446

Күн бұрын

I quit my full time job to become a pet portrait artist, turning my hobby into a career. Here's what I've learnt along the way!
I asked for your questions on a recent vlog and over on Instagram so that I can give you some help and an insight into my journey to become a full-time professional pet portrait and wildlife artist.
I hope this is useful to anyone with a passion for drawing like myself who would like to build their own art business and make money from doing something they love.
Things mentioned in this video:
Coloured pencils:
Can be purchased as a full set or individually
Faber Castell Polychromos
Prismacolour
Caran D'ache Luminance
Caran D'ache Pablo
Paper:
Fabriano Artistico Hot Press Watercolour Paper
300GSM
1 sheet - bit.ly/3rmf3sc
5 sheets - bit.ly/3D7J15n
640GSM
1 Sheet - bit.ly/3pUh36X
5 Sheets - bit.ly/3pZtrmn
Studio Lights - amzn.to/3Mfka5w
How to scan artwork - bit.ly/3hBQHo0
How to create greeting cards - bit.ly/3bPPyqp
How to pick colours - bit.ly/3sygSCz
Make sure to like this video if you enjoyed it and subscribe to my channel for more - it really helps me out!
For exclusive tutorial content where you can learn how to draw realistic animals white supporting my small business, you can become a Patron here:
/ shannonmullin
Just a heads up Patreon charge your subscription on the 1st of every month so you’re better signing up towards the start of the month rather than the end!
Where else to find me:
Instagram - bit.ly/30sPI1t
Facebook - bit.ly/3ljICob
My website - bit.ly/37aPaQP
My website - bit.ly/37aPaQP
Etsy - etsy.me/3yXojmA

Пікірлер: 27

@sahara6630 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for all the tips. Really useful. I've just ordered some of your prints and cards and they are beautiful. Even better in real life. I love the little sticker of your logo on the envelope and the handwritten message inside. Francesca x

@lizjanevski9042 5 ай бұрын

Very informative - thank you. Also as soon as I saw the little spots thst floated around , it reminded me of orbs 😊

@emmalouiseireland4529 2 жыл бұрын

What a great video Shannon, I loved it. Thank you so much for answering my question and for the Hello! 😊❤️ Xxx

@shannonmullin 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it Emma thank you for your question 🥰❤️xxx

@sanyflame 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful video! I am working on my skills to hopefully start a art business early next year. I have done art for a few years but not animals and not with coloured pencils so its like I’m a beginner

@shannonmullin 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Ah I wish you the best of luck, it's all about taking those little steps to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed. I started out with graphite and gradually moved onto coloured pencils, you have to start somewhere ❤️❤️

@TmHudsonArt 2 жыл бұрын

I'm one of those people that hands card out to people on walks but then I tended to stop and chat to other dog owners often anyway so I find it is pretty easy. I don't just pounce on everyone i pass to give them a card. I've gotten a small few orders from it...

@lt6502 2 жыл бұрын

Great video with advice that I really appreciated. Can you tell me the dimensions of the box you used on the video for packaging your cards? Also, where you purchased it and the link where I can check out. Thank you so much

@JB-gk9cl 2 жыл бұрын

Very informative thank you. How you describe your ‘beginnings’ is not dissimilar to my experience over the last few years and I also never took a deposit but had no issues thankfully. Unfortunately I’m in my autumn years and not very social media or computer savvy so I’m looking at selling cards and prints at local farmers markets/village hall etc ……. How many cards/prints do you recommend to get done for a first ‘exhibition’ and do you mount your prints?

@shannonmullin 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your lovely comment, I'm glad it was informative! We all have to start somewhere, at least you had no issues with people messing you around :) Great idea that's a really good place to start, I think I ordered 100 greeting cards for the craft fair I did at Christmas and I wished I'd ordered more, they seemed to sell really fast. Yes I mount my prints I feel they look more 'finished' personally but that's totally down to you!

@JB-gk9cl 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for that very helpful…..now to decide which ones to have printed! (Love your work)😊

@FeralandFamiliar 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing video and so helpful! Can I ask, the paper that you buy in big sheets, how does Jackson’s art package it? Do they flat pack it or bend it into a roll? I’m just worried it gets damaged. Xxxxxx

@shannonmullin 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! They send it in big boxes that are really handy for shipping large pieces of work out! They’re very well packaged I wouldn’t worry about any damage 🥰 xxxxx

@FeralandFamiliar 2 жыл бұрын

@@shannonmullin aww thank you so much! Xxxxxx

@TmHudsonArt 2 жыл бұрын

I get the same paper and yes, comes in a large box and I also use these boxes to put larger works in for delivering to people etc....never had any issues with damage either...

@FeralandFamiliar 2 жыл бұрын

@@TmHudsonArt aww thank you so much for your help I really appreciate it. Do you find the quality differs much between the 300gsm pads and the 640gsm paper? Xxxx

@TmHudsonArt 2 жыл бұрын

@@FeralandFamiliar I use the 300lb/640gsm but then I use acrylic on it so the thinner one would be no good for me. You could try a sheet of each and just see how you get on with it.

@spammalammy4954 11 ай бұрын

Hello! Im very late but on the off chance you see this: where do you get your recyclable cellophane card sleeves from? I didnt even know they existed and bought some basic plastic ones from hobbycraft 🙈

@shannonmullin 11 ай бұрын

I get them from Etsy from a company called cello express! ☺️

@spammalammy4954 11 ай бұрын

@@shannonmullin amazing, thank you so much! 😄

@justmeanonym Жыл бұрын

Hi 😊 do you work as an part time artist or is that your fulltime job? :)

@shannonmullin Жыл бұрын

I work full time as an artist but also have a side job working freelance, doing the social media for a homeware company 😀

@hannahlipsey_ 2 жыл бұрын

So funny because I still don't take deposits 🙊

@shannonmullin 2 жыл бұрын

No way?! Have you ever had any issues? That would give me the fear 😂🙈

@hannahlipsey_ 2 жыл бұрын

@@shannonmullin Haha well I'm a year and a half I've had one customer that still hadn't paid me. But then even if I'd taken a deposit I'd only have 25% so doesn't really help. I just can't be bothered with the extra hassle/paperwork 🙈 I'm sure I'll change my mind if I get burnt again 😅

@shannonmullin 2 жыл бұрын

@@hannahlipsey_ I learnt the hard way after chasing someone for months and months 😂 I like the peace of mind knowing what I have booked in is secure and at least I’ve not completely wasted my time if they don’t pay the final payment!