Spectacular post, Ella! Thanks for sharing some of your older work. I have a lot of insecurities about my age and I'm in a woefully ugly growth stage as I try to learn traditional & mixed media illustration. I learned digital first and I'm so thankful of how far I've come, but I'm so sick of sitting at the computer and feeling beholden to technology. I'm puttering along and hope the stuff I'm proud of starts to outshine the stuff I want to hide! 😄 I'm also just catching up after a long stretch of intense work & burnout, and I can't wait to check out some of the art club recordings! 💙
Hey Kaly! I’m so glad you found this helpful!! It is so hard learning a new skill, especially as a grown up! But if you can find the motivation to keep going, it WILL come together! Good luck with the burnout recovery too. It’s tough. I sometimes feel very on the edge of this. Sending strength! I’m cheering you on from here!! Xx
Thank you Ella! This is really useful! I am a new-ish subscriber and have found your posts really inspiring and helpful. This one really resonates with me at the moment. The self-doubt is hard work. I might print your post out and pin it to my desk or even sketchbook as a reminder!
Congratulations on your new book. It has been lovely to see all of the posts on insta.
Hey Sarah! Firstly, thank you for subscribing, and I'm so glad you're finding inspiration here! Oof! The self doubt is super hard, I'm honored you'll be sticking this post out as a reminder!
And thanks!! Trying to enjoy the publication of the book, and allow the self doubt to join in all the good moments! xxx
I'm trying to learn to stop chasing cars too. Sometimes I find myself running down the road barking...but I'm getting better at stopping myself and coming back to the drawing board :)
Thank you for sharing your journey, Ella! It’s so lovely to see your illustrations and sketchbooks! I also love what you said about 'holding yourself accountable'—that might be just what I need.
Most importantly, take care✨ Wishing you a restful recovery and sending love🤍
Thank you for sharing your journey. It’s so interesting seeing how your work has evolved.
I feel that being able to push through all the self-doubt is one of the biggest skills in becoming an illustrator / artist. I tell myself that the mental strength is the key! Plus I just feel so passionate about drawing and art that I can’t stop anyway. :)
I’ve seen a few illustrators write about things being a lot or even burning out .
I’m an illustrator / author - illustrator , I feel like I’m getting close to that ‘yes’ for one of the books I’ve dreamt up . I have an agent and she’s submitting my work but still waiting for a publisher to say yes .
I’ve illustrated 5 books for self publishing authors and one traditionally published (I’ve loved every minute of it !) . I want to do more, especially my own books , make ‘proper’ money from it all etc. But, I wondered if you have tips for not letting it get too much ? I’m so excited for the day someone says yes that I don’t want to stop loving it .
Sorry for the long comment , hope it’s ok to ask .
Don’t worry about being ‘behind’ with Substack, Ella. It’s all part of the honesty and truth of freelance illustrator life, and I’m just here for the journey x
Spectacular post, Ella! Thanks for sharing some of your older work. I have a lot of insecurities about my age and I'm in a woefully ugly growth stage as I try to learn traditional & mixed media illustration. I learned digital first and I'm so thankful of how far I've come, but I'm so sick of sitting at the computer and feeling beholden to technology. I'm puttering along and hope the stuff I'm proud of starts to outshine the stuff I want to hide! 😄 I'm also just catching up after a long stretch of intense work & burnout, and I can't wait to check out some of the art club recordings! 💙
Hey Kaly! I’m so glad you found this helpful!! It is so hard learning a new skill, especially as a grown up! But if you can find the motivation to keep going, it WILL come together! Good luck with the burnout recovery too. It’s tough. I sometimes feel very on the edge of this. Sending strength! I’m cheering you on from here!! Xx
Thank you Ella! This is really useful! I am a new-ish subscriber and have found your posts really inspiring and helpful. This one really resonates with me at the moment. The self-doubt is hard work. I might print your post out and pin it to my desk or even sketchbook as a reminder!
Congratulations on your new book. It has been lovely to see all of the posts on insta.
Thanks again , Sarah x
Hey Sarah! Firstly, thank you for subscribing, and I'm so glad you're finding inspiration here! Oof! The self doubt is super hard, I'm honored you'll be sticking this post out as a reminder!
And thanks!! Trying to enjoy the publication of the book, and allow the self doubt to join in all the good moments! xxx
AMEN!
I'm trying to learn to stop chasing cars too. Sometimes I find myself running down the road barking...but I'm getting better at stopping myself and coming back to the drawing board :)
woof xx
Haha! Exactly!! But I totally get it. Enjoy that drawing board xx
Thank you for sharing your journey, Ella! It’s so lovely to see your illustrations and sketchbooks! I also love what you said about 'holding yourself accountable'—that might be just what I need.
Most importantly, take care✨ Wishing you a restful recovery and sending love🤍
Thank you for sharing your journey. It’s so interesting seeing how your work has evolved.
I feel that being able to push through all the self-doubt is one of the biggest skills in becoming an illustrator / artist. I tell myself that the mental strength is the key! Plus I just feel so passionate about drawing and art that I can’t stop anyway. :)
This is really interesting to read .
I love your artwork !
I’ve seen a few illustrators write about things being a lot or even burning out .
I’m an illustrator / author - illustrator , I feel like I’m getting close to that ‘yes’ for one of the books I’ve dreamt up . I have an agent and she’s submitting my work but still waiting for a publisher to say yes .
I’ve illustrated 5 books for self publishing authors and one traditionally published (I’ve loved every minute of it !) . I want to do more, especially my own books , make ‘proper’ money from it all etc. But, I wondered if you have tips for not letting it get too much ? I’m so excited for the day someone says yes that I don’t want to stop loving it .
Sorry for the long comment , hope it’s ok to ask .
Thank you and best of luck with your new book .
Don’t worry about being ‘behind’ with Substack, Ella. It’s all part of the honesty and truth of freelance illustrator life, and I’m just here for the journey x