Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins, Relate Contributing Writer

So you have been drawing for a few years, and now all of your friends are asking you for a copy of that adorable couple manga you made for a Valentine’s Day card. They’ll even pay you for it. So, you gladly agree on prices, they love the finished drawings, and so do their boyfriends from the next town over. They love them so much they show it to their friends and before you know it, you’re selling your drawings to friends of friends in other states and you have way more artwork to do (and cash!) than you can handle!

This is the way illustrators usually make their living, but on a larger scale. Thanks to the Internet, illustrators can network and market themselves to clients from around the globe.

Illustrations are used in advertisements, greeting cards, posters, books, magazines and newspapers so the demand is high, but so is the competition.

So do you think you have the skills to make it as an illustrator? Just because you like to draw and don’t think you can do anything else are not reasons why you should pursue this career. You must also have business sense, people skills and a passion for your art.

To be an illustrator, you do not need to have formal qualifications, but many successful illustrators have attended art school or college. You do need to surround yourself with other illustrators to not only get advice from, but to learn with. And keep up with the latest software and technical skills as modern technology makes illustration a constantly changing art.

There are several things you can do now, even while you’re in high school, to make you a better illustrator.

Visit Devian. Not only can you explore over 80 million original works of art, but you can display your own to over 11 million people without paying a cent. The community will allow you to talk with and learn from other artists from over 190 countries. Tutorials will help you with Photoshop programs and other software. You can even build a professional portfolio to send your work to possible art schools or clients.

Visit other websites including Sheez Art or Fan Art.

Start thinking about marketing your skills. The easiest way to do that is set up your own website. Concisely explain what services you provide, avoid flash, have a unique URL with no pop ups and no frames, and update the site often.

The best advice to an aspiring illustrator is to use your creativity to not only be unique, but relevant. In other words, learn from those who inspire you, but don’t copy too much. Hmm, that could be good advice to anyone!

Ever thought about graphic design? Do you have what it takes to be an illustrator?

Tags: Adobe Suite, art, art school, digital design, entrepreneur, Illustrator, In-Design, Photoshop