Illustration Ltd.’s Harry Lyon-Smith estimates that there are over 1000 illustration commissions each week in the United Kingdom.
With so many illustrators working on so many projects and any given time, it is clear that there is a big demand for representation out there. Illustration agents, like any agent, are the linchpin in the relationship between artists and the commissioning clients.
That might not explain what the agency does, and why freelancers need them but like any agency, there are certain tasks the agents will do to make it far easier for the freelancer excel in their career. As Caroline Thomson of Arena Illustration agency put it, “An agent is your support, quality control, sounding board and mentor.”
So, here are five practical every-day tasks that we can help you with...
The wonderful, Man on the Moon (a day in the life of Bob), by Simon Bartram (Templar), still delights a generation of children since it's publication thirteen years ago, thanks to the continued backing of librarians and teachers around the country.
Graphics-based illustrator Priya Mistry creates bright playful characters and animations for print publications, smart phones and TV. She draws inspiration from coffee shops, children’s story books, vintage art and animals – the furrier the better.
represented by Artist Partners has been working away on this stunning book. It’s a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl in a stunning papercut accordion fold book.
Woman’s Weekly commissioned Carrie May to illustrate their latest serial. Carrie created five stunning illustrations for this story of one woman’s journey from St Lucia to Liverpool and the challenges she faces.
David Fickling Books commissioned Levi Pinfold to illustrate this striking cover for Andy Mulligan's new book, Liquidator - an action-packed thriller full of danger, hilarity and friendship.
Here at HF Towers we spend a lot of time looking at illustration. So much so, it takes something really special to cut through and make us stand up and take notice. Earlier last month we had just that reaction when we chanced upon the work of Guillaume Kurkdjian.