Art Careers / Illustrator
What Does an Illustrator Do? An Art Career for Kids
Curious about this job? Here is what the work looks like, a typical day, the tools, where people do it and how to get started, plus a small activity so you can try it yourself.
What an illustrator does
An illustrator makes pictures that go with words, like the drawings in picture books, magazines, games and product packages. Their pictures help tell a story or explain an idea.
Real-world examples: Eric Carle, known for his painted-paper collage illustrations.
A day on the job
- Read a story or project brief and sketch ideas
- Send rough sketches to an editor or client for feedback
- Finish final art by hand or on a computer
- Meet deadlines and share work online to find new clients
Tools of the job
- Pencils, ink pens and markers
- Watercolor or gouache paint
- Drawing tablet and stylus
- Digital illustration software
- Scanner
- Sketchbook
Where they work
- Home studios (many are freelance)
- Publishing companies
- Design and advertising studios
The path in 4 steps
Start now
- Draw every day in a sketchbook
- Make your own little picture book or comic
- Study the art in your favorite picture books
In your teens
- Take drawing, painting and digital art classes
- Illustrate for your school newspaper or yearbook
- Build an online or printed portfolio
Training
A bachelor's degree in illustration or fine art is common, but many illustrators also grow through practice, workshops and online classes. A strong portfolio matters most, because clients look at it before hiring.
Build a portfolio
15 to 20 strong illustrations in a clear style, showing characters, scenes and a few finished projects.
Skills that help
- Drawing
- Visual storytelling
- Meeting deadlines
- Taking feedback
- Digital art
Try this job
A small taste of the real work, using things you already have.
Pick a sentence from a book you love that has no picture next to it. Read it twice, then make three tiny thumbnail sketches of different ways to show it: close up, far away, and from a surprising angle. Choose your favorite and draw it bigger. That is how illustrators start almost every job.
Ms Artastic lessons
Lessons that practise skills this career uses.
Watch with Ms Artastic
Videos from my YouTube channel that practise skills from this job.
Element of Art Space Art Lesson and Drawing Tutorial for Kids Ms ArtasticMs Artastic on YouTubeWatch the video
Element of Art Form Art Lesson and Drawing Tutorial For KidsMs Artastic on YouTubeWatch the video
How to Draw a Cool Pig: Step-by-Step Cool Pig Drawing Tutorial for Kids!Ms Artastic on YouTubeWatch the video
How to Draw a Cute Chicken: Step-by-Step Chicken Drawing Tutorial for Kids!Ms Artastic on YouTubeWatch the videoRelated art careers
Learn more
For pay, job outlook and training details, read the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook page for this kind of work.
Which art career fits you?
Answer a few quick questions and see which art jobs match what you love to do.
Take the Which Art Career Fits You quizQuestions teachers and parents ask
What does an illustrator do?
An illustrator makes pictures that go with words, like the drawings in picture books, magazines, games and product packages. Their pictures help tell a story or explain an idea.
How do you become an illustrator?
A bachelor's degree in illustration or fine art is common, but many illustrators also grow through practice, workshops and online classes. A strong portfolio matters most, because clients look at it before hiring.
What skills does an illustrator need?
Drawing, Visual storytelling, Meeting deadlines, Taking feedback and Digital art.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
