Chris Oldland illustration blog Q&A

I chose to contact successful illustrator Serge Seidlitz last week, and after a little luck with my e-mails managed to gain his attention. A successful illustrator with a great clients list and available through Debut Art, I thought he would be interesting for gaining a little insight into how the successful get along in the industry.

So, anyway, he was kind enough to reply to my e-mail questionnaire this week and here I have his answers and a little insight into how he works and his path into the profession.

• What was your first commission?
My first actual commission as an illustrator was a portrait of Brian Wilson for Mojo magazine,
I had been working four or five years as a graphic designer/ in-house illustrator at cartoon network before becoming freelance and taking on proper commissions.

• Did it take long for you to find work?
I got a job at Cartoon Network straight out of college which helped in giving me a foundation in the industry.

• How was this achieved?
Portfolio and guidance from tutors.

• You're with Heart agency at the moment, but how did you promote yourself before that?

No I'm not! (He’s with Debut Art. My mistake, I had a cold when I wrote the questions!) I didn't promote myself before I was represented as I was full time in house (see above).

• Does most of your work come from repeat clients?
No, it comes from all sorts of different clients, - some comes from repeat clients.

• You have a very distinct style; do all of your clients expect your work to appear similar? Is this ever limiting for you?
I have enough scope within in my work to play with new ideas and push myself, so it doesn't limit me. It’s important as an illustrator ( I think ) to be ideas based and then everything stems from that, if you limit yourself to style over content you'll just be a passing trend. Most of the time, I think people develop their work as they go, improving and experimenting in order to keep fresh.

• What sort of work forms the bulk of your commissions?
Advertising, editorial, marketing, publishing, online content, a bit of TV.

• Do you have any plans for the future?
Keep at it, and see where it takes me.

• Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Wouldn't like to say Chris - who knows - hopefully doing something creative that makes me happy.

An interesting (and incidentally quite amusing) character and a little insight.
Thank you Serge. I wish you all the best.

from : http://chrisoldlandillustration.blogspot.com/