Your custom portrait to frame Why individuals should consider hiring a freelance illustrator Although illustrators often work with publishers , the press , communication agencies , or businesses , individuals can also hire a freelance illustrator for personal projects . Perhaps you are yourself passionate about drawing, or a beginner illustrator — as is sometimes the case for those who commission a drawing from a professional. If that’s your situation, I also invite you to read this article on how to get noticed when starting out in this profession . Some examples of work a freelance illustrator can do for individuals: Personalized portraits:  a unique gift for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, or family portraits... Custom greeting cards or invitations:  for weddings, births, holidays... Illustrations for personal projects:  whether you want to self-publish a book, illustrate your latest YouTube video, or decorate a space with a unique framed drawing... An illustrated keepsake to give The fee must ensure the illustrator a fair compensation, essential for quality work: The cost of a drawing is primarily determined by: Work Time and Expertise:  A custom illustration requires several hours of work and artistic skill, whether for conceptualizing, drawing, or finalizing the piece. Exclusivity:  You are paying for a unique creation that will not exist anywhere else. Unlike standardized images, your illustration is made specifically for you. Revisions and Adjustments:  The price often includes revisions to ensure the result matches exactly what you want. So, plan a budget , just like for any other service from any other profession. Note:  In some cases, an additional budget may be required for the finalization of the product — for example, book layout. Indeed, once the illustrator has sent you the drawings, it will be up to you to place texts and illustrations into a layout. If you don’t do this yourself, you’ll need to hire a graphic designer. The best option is to work with an illustrator who is also trained in print graphic design and can manage the entire project. Your self-published children's book illustrated by a professionnal Added value beyond generic or AI-generated images: Thanks to Personalization:  A professional illustrator offers you the opportunity to obtain a work that perfectly aligns with your vision, tastes, and needs. A ready-made image or one generated by AI often lacks this nuance and adaptation. Thanks to Artistic Quality:  AI and pre-designed images can sometimes lack the coherence, emotion, or creativity that only a human can provide. An illustrator will apply their expertise to your project, with a unique style. Thanks to Authenticity and Exclusivity:  By working with an illustrator, you support artistic creation and obtain a 100% original work, a rare creation that you won't find on other media. Check out my freelance illustrator portfolio on the main page of my website to get an idea of my various creations — 100% human intelligence! Are you an individual thinking about commissioning one or more drawings from an illustrator? Contact me and we can discuss your ideas .

Combining graphic design and illustration is far more than just an asset — it’s true added value for any project. For over 15 years, I have worked in both fields in parallel, convinced of how complementary they are , as you can see from my experience as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer . Whether you’re a client looking for a versatile professional or an illustrator wanting to broaden your skills, here’s why mastering print graphic design is essential. Print Graphic Design : A Natural Skill to Develop When I launched my business in 2007, my first commissions were mainly for illustration work. Very quickly, my clients asked me to go further: to lay out my own creations . It made sense to them — they preferred working with a single freelancer rather than multiplying the number of contributors. This request turned out to be just as relevant for me. Who better than the illustrator to showcase their own work in a printed format? I learned to organize my visuals, harmonize colors, and structure layouts. Nothing is worse than a beautiful illustration lost in a clumsy design. Year after year, I refined my expertise and created a wide variety of materials : business cards , posters , flyers , banners , roll-ups , books ( softcover , hardcover , with flaps ), board games , stickers , exhibition panels … You can see some of these creations on my website's homepage . Today, whether it’s communication, publishing, or educational projects, I can manage the entire graphic process. Businesses, Publishers, Individuals: Why Choose a Graphic Designer-Illustrator for Your Projects? Print design cannot be improvised. A professional result requires mastery of many parameters : color management, margins, bleed and cut lines, resolution, image quality, readability, knowledge of materials and printing techniques... Not all illustrators are trained in these technical requirements , which sometimes forces clients to hire a graphic designer to finalize files before printing. By entrusting your project directly to an illustrator who also masters graphic design, you avoid wasting time , incurring extra costs, and making technical errors. You’re guaranteed a perfectly optimized file , ready to print with no unpleasant surprises. This is also true if you’re an individual . Even if the overall service requires a certain budget, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your project is handled professionally from A to Z. I also explain here why hiring an illustrator as an individual can be a real advantage. Illustrators: Why Develop Your Graphic Design Skills? Mastering print graphic design expands your opportunities. Today, clients look for efficient professionals who can manage an entire project. If they have to deal with multiple people to finalize a visual, they’ll naturally prefer the one who makes their life easier. Learning about layout, typography, or print-ready file preparation allows you to offer a more complete service and stand out in the market. Beyond graphic design, exploring other fields such as animation, video editing, or publishing can also enrich your business and open new professional perspectives . If you’d like to explore the freelance illustrator profession further, I also recommend reading this article: Illustrators: Get Yourself known . Your Project Need a print graphic designer or a graphic designer-illustrator who understands the demands of both illustration and printing? I can support you in creating professional materials optimized for print. Contact me for an efficient collaboration with no nasty surprises at printing time!

Are you about to start your career as a freelance illustrator and wondering how to get your work noticed? Here are some tips. 1. Create an online portfolio This may seem obvious, but it’s essential: a well-designed portfolio on your website, as well as on platforms like Behance , ArtStation , or Dribbble , is crucial to showcase your work. It should be clear, well-organized, and regularly updated with your best pieces. For my part, my portfolio is immediately visible on the homepage of my website , and I’ve signed up on several platforms to increase my visibility. 2. Use social media You can’t be everywhere, but ideally, you should be! Choose the social networks that suit you best and are most appropriate for sharing visuals. Instagram , which I recently joined, is highly effective in my opinion. A Facebook page mirroring your website posts can reinforce your presence, while LinkedIn  helps diversify your professional network. 3. Participate in competitions and exhibitions If you’re just starting out, illustration competitions are a great way to stand out and get noticed by industry professionals. Additionally, exhibiting your work in cultural venues, festivals, art events, or even galleries can help you expand your network and attract commissions. You might initially do this for a low fee or even for free, but it’s a long-term investment. On a related note, certain social networks like Instagram host contests and creative challenges where you can share your work with a large audience, gradually building your popularity. I regularly take part in these challenges, such as the famous Character Design Challenge  (creating a character based on a given theme) or Inktober  (drawing an ink illustration each day of October based on a prompt). Each time, it brings visibility and new followers. 4. Collaborate with others Working with other artists, authors, or brands helps increase visibility while diversifying your style and opportunities, especially given the exposure offered by social media. You may also benefit from the visibility of your collaborators. This is also why developing multiple skills is valuable: you’re more likely to engage in fruitful collaborations. I explain in another article the advantage of being both an illustrator and a graphic designer . I’ve often worked as a designer alongside other illustrators—opportunities that would have been much rarer if I had only focused on illustration. Simply put, professionals who create visuals (illustrators, photographers, and other artists) often need designers to enhance their work. Just as a video needs a good music composer or editor, or a theater play needs good direction… the principle is clear: together, you can have a greater impact in terms of visibility. http://jesuisnum http://jeveuxunfreelance.fr erique.fr 5. Join freelance platforms Sites like Malt  or Comeup  connect clients with freelancers and can lead to your first contracts. Other platforms, such - in France - as Annuaire des Graphistes , jeveuxunfreelance.fr , or jesuisnumerique.fr , allow you to list your services online, which is useful for improving your SEO. Competition can be tough on these sites, and some freelancers offer very low rates. Be original and explain why your services will satisfy clients. For inspiration, you can read the article: Hiring an illustrator: the advantages . 6. Share your creative process Publishing tutorials , making-of videos , or speed paintings on YouTube , TikTok , or your blog can attract an audience over time. It also allows you to engage with your audience and eventually offer original creations for sale. Keep in mind that videos and carousels/slideshows are always more effective than a single image . Ideally, learn basic video editing and animation to make your content more engaging . Try all these techniques, and most importantly, don’t get discouraged—building recognition and visibility takes time; that’s normal. Be persistent! Need advice and tips as a young creative? Contact me , and we can organize a video call to analyze your situation in detail.

Why I joined Collaborate Agency, an international illustration agency At the beginning of 2025, I had the honor of joining Collaborate Agency , an international illustration agency specializing in children’s content (animation, books, educational resources…). Collaborate works with prestigious clients such as Disney , Scholastic , Penguin Random House , Ikea , Usborne , Hachette Books … and many more. I wanted to take a little time before writing about it, especially since their contract includes a kind of trial period during which the partnership can be terminated unilaterally. I also wanted to work on several projects before sharing my perspective. For some time, I had been looking to diversify my clients and work more internationally, not just in France. I was already fortunate to collaborate regularly with the American company ACCESSREC , founded by Sébastien Ragon and based in New Jersey, which designs leisure equipment for people with reduced mobility. Not knowing exactly how to expand my client base overseas, I decided to apply through a company called ITSme , which recruits illustrators for various agencies. Collaborate Agency selected my application. Since then, we’ve worked on several very rewarding projects, including one that pushed me to get back into vector illustration. Stepping out of my comfort zone: new projects and illustration techniques Since the agency regularly presents illustrators’ portfolios to clients , I am sometimes asked to submit visuals on specific themes. This encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and explore new styles . For example, I was recently asked to create black-and-white humorous drawings as well as visuals in a doodle art style. I revisited some older pieces and created new illustrations to ensure my portfolio was fully up to date, which even helped me land a small contract. Among the projects I’ve worked on, the most notable is a picture book for toddlers telling the story of a fox in a chicken coop, with a subtle educational twist on science (I’ll share more once it’s published!). Another highlight was completing a sampling  for Oxford University Press  — a test designed to see if the publisher would select my work for a future publication. This project focused on an educational comic covering various topics, with the test centered on the concept of money and featuring Chinese mythological creatures. Collaborating Internationally: Working with Creative Teams Across Countries Another important aspect is the incredible value of collaborating with teams from different backgrounds. Collaborate Agency  has offices in Brighton, Los Angeles, London, New York, Seville, and Singapore, which allows me to interact with people from many different countries. I am very happy with this new adventure. Working with the agency’s teams is stimulating: deadlines can be tight and the pace intense, but the energy and quality of the exchanges make it highly motivating. The agency clearly takes good care of its illustrators, which is greatly appreciated. I’ve had no major issues, and the overall atmosphere is fantastic. I will soon publish an article answering a question that many illustrators ask: Should you join an illustration agency? In the meantime, if you’re just starting out, feel free to check my page summarizing ways to get noticed . And if you want to review your own situation, I offer video sessions — feel free to contact me to discuss .

Are you representing a company , an institution , or an agency and wondering if hiring an illustrator is relevant for your communication? This article presents the main advantages of a professional collaboration. If you are an individual, I also invite you to read this dedicated article that concerns you more directly: Why hire a freelance illustrator as a private client . My strengths for your projects By working with me, you are guaranteed to collaborate with an experienced , efficient , and flexible professional : I have been collaborating with well-known companies and public institutions since 2007. I work on large projects involving multiple contributors as well as on smaller , individual creations . Since becoming a professional, I have produced thousands of drawings in various styles. I master the entire graphic production process up to printing , which is an asset if you do not have a graphic designer. My creations cover several fields : illustration, corporate drawings (internal communication, live drawing during seminars, exhibitions...), humorous drawings, comics, illustrated games, animation, portraits, greeting cards... I work on many types of media : posters of all sizes, flyers, magazines, books, business cards, videos, web... Additional skills: I have edited books, created drawing workshops, founded nonprofit organizations, and managed communications. This enables me to better understand your expectations and needs . Discover my freelance illustrator portfolio on the homepage , where you will find a variety of projects that showcase the diversity of my work. Some examples of my creations: Why avoid generic images in your visual projects? Today, there are many stock image banks online offering quick and affordable solutions for your projects. However, they have a significant limitation : uniformity . By choosing generic visuals, your projects risk becoming impersonal and blending into the crowd , losing their identity and impact . This is where original illustration becomes crucial. The advantages of custom illustration with a professional Hiring a professional illustrator allows you to create a unique visual universe , perfectly tailored to your vision and values . Unlike generic images, you gain infinite flexibility : we can tell a specific story , highlight precise emotions , and accurately reflect the essence of a narrative , communication , educational text , product , or brand . Moreover, by communicating clearly with the illustrator, you can achieve complete graphic consistency by aligning the visuals with the exact needs of your project.  Ideally, work with a creative who is also a print graphic designer , as I am, to strengthen your project’s consistency. Original illustration enhances authenticity , an increasingly valued criterion in today's world. In a sea of images, what sets you apart is the ability to capture attention creatively and establish a personal connection. Working with an illustrator transforms an idea into a custom piece of art, adding genuine value . This added value is what I bring with my 15 years of professional experience . As a freelance illustrator, I pride myself on offering much more than just a drawing: direct, responsive, and tailor-made collaboration. My goal? To support you at every step to bring visuals to life that truly reflect your identity and needs. I combine creativity and rigor to make each project a success. I invite you to contact me on this page to discuss your needs.

Penguins deserve to enjoy winter sports too (sketch for a game) Unless you’re lucky enough to live in a warm-climate country, we’re now diving into the heart of the winter season . With its chilly days and perhaps even some beautiful snow showers ... It’s also the season for winter sports , building snowmen , and cozying up at home wrapped in warm blankets with a comforting hot drink . As every year, I had the opportunity to create some illustrations around this theme, particularly for the well-known french magazine Le Journal de Mickey  magazine (published by Disney Magazines , a subsidiary of Unique Heritage Presse ). I’m sharing here a few rough sketches. A dragon in the middle of winter sends chills through brave knights (sketch for a game) The challenge with recurring thematic illustrations is finding original ideas. You really have to dig deep to come up with everything that could evoke the theme while trying to add a little fun twist to it. But that’s my job (or that of my scriptwriters when I work in a duo!), and it always ends up coming together. For example, with winter as a theme, once you’ve explored all the obvious ideas (snowball fights, characters frozen from the cold, ice skating on a frozen lake…), you can start thinking about a different perspective : what might be happening underground during the long winter months? By adding a few quirky animals in their burrows, you start to get a more interesting approach. And as the day goes on, more funny ideas begin to flow. If you need original ideas to illustrate your project , I’ve got the experience to make it happen! Click here to contact me , and we can discuss it together.

With some delay, I wish you a Merry Christmas 2024 , hoping you had a wonderful time celebrating with your family. This is the perfect occasion to share an article looking back at a few game pages with a Christmas theme . These games were created for Le Journal de Mickey , a famous french magazine published by Disney Magazines (a subsidiary of Unique Heritage Media ). Do you publish illustrated games or want a creative way to present your content? Contact me here , and I’ll bring energy, creativity, and color to your project!

I wish you a very creative and joyful 2025 ! And this is the perfect opportunity to share a timely animation. A few years ago, I collaborated with my friend, author Pierre-Etienne Bertrand , to create a New Year's greeting animation . It was a commission for the website https://www.linternaute.com/ , which at the time offered various digital services, including online greeting cards. I really enjoy animating my drawings, working on the backgrounds, and adding the right music and sounds. I'll have the opportunity to post some examples on this blog later this year, as I've created animations several times throughout my professional journey. If you're looking to showcase a project with a little humorous animation, I can definitely meet your needs. Contact me here, and let's discuss it!

When you're a freelance illustrator , your workload isn't always consistent throughout the year. Sometimes, there are periods where you have fewer contracts, and it's during those times that you should take the opportunity to improve your skills, train, reach out to new clients, or work on more personal projects . With this in mind, I signed up for the website childrensillustrators.com  in September 2024, after reading a few positive—or at least not entirely negative—reviews online. Childrensillustrators.com is a paid platform dedicated to promoting illustrators specializing in children's literature. Founded in 2004, it provides artists with a professional showcase to present their portfolios to an international audience, thus facilitating connections with publishers, authors, and other professionals in the industry. The annual membership fee is $350 , which is a significant cost. The platform is active on social media (Instagram, X, Facebook, etc.), where it regularly shares artists’ works, interviews, and relevant news, promising to enhance illustrators' visibility. In five months, my work has been featured on Children's Illustrators only once . Considering that 360 illustrators are registered on the platform, you shouldn’t expect your work to be highlighted very often. However, I find this rather underwhelming given the subscription cost. To increase visibility, there is a "News" section on your profile, which you can update regularly, much like a blog. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the time to take advantage of this feature. There are also paid options available: A $50 "boost"  that increases your visibility for 7 days. A $29.99 annual add-on  that allows you to list your published books and gain a little more exposure. It’s worth mentioning that there is no direct interaction between you and the platform. Essentially, you are paying to host a portfolio on a site that claims to have high traffic. The platform does appear to be followed by some illustration agencies, but I’m not sure how useful that is. If you’re looking for an agent, the simplest and free option is to submit your application directly to an agency. As of now, I have not received any professional leads from the platform, and it has brought me very little apart from slightly more visibility in search engine results . Since I launched my own website shortly before joining the platform, good SEO (search engine optimization) is important for me, but it’s certainly not worth $350. For example, one of my illustrations was featured on the platform’s Instagram page, which has 105,000 followers, but it garnered fewer than 150 likes, no comments, no professional leads, and barely any traffic to my website. To put things into perspective, when I launched my website, I spent €150 on a Google ad campaign over a few days. This brought significant traffic to my site and even resulted in a commissioned illustration. I’ll write a follow-up review once my year-long subscription is complete . For now, I am not very impressed with Children's Illustrators. I believe the platform should offer more services and diversify its marketing tools, given the number of illustrators and the high subscription fee. If you still decide to give it a try, make sure to keep your portfolio and news section updated regularly, treating the platform as if it were a second website. Recently, I came across recommendations for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators  (SCBWI). Their membership costs only $80-$100 per year  and offers more valuable services. I will definitely consider trying this option in the future. You can find more details on their website: https://www.scbwi.org/ .

A new season of drawings begins in collaboration with Wapiti magazine! A finalized drawing ready for publication ! For several years, I’ve been illustrating the readers' letters section in collaboration with Pierre-Etienne Bertrand , who primarily focuses on coloring the drawings Each month, you’ll find two of our illustrations in this animal magazine. This work gives me the chance to depict animals with a touch of humor, a departure from the tone of other projects. The challenge: capturing the animal’s defining physical traits to make it instantly recognizable while giving it a youthful, fun vibe, without overly humanizing it. Various nature sketches Wapiti is a magazine published by Milan Presse , available in France at newsagents or by subscription here: https://milan-jeunesse.com/abonnement-wapiti.html Looking for an illustrator to add humorous drawings to your articles? Eye-catching and memorable illustrations can elevate your publication. Click here to contact me and discuss your project!