As part of my mentorship at Scunthorpe Studio School, I got loads of amazing advice regarding how to successfully navigate the art world. My mentor, although very experience and well established, doesn’t specialise in illustration, so his advice in this area specifically, was slightly limited. However, he very kindly set me up a meeting with Jess from Inkling Agency, a fully female run illustration agency with strong connections in Sheffield (a city I have strongly considered moving to after a little more travelling)!

Some of you may know that I’ve actually been represented by two different agencies in the past and it was really a really disappointing experience with little to no opportunities as a result… I let Jess from Inkling know this and asked her to give me guidance on how to sift out legitimate agencies and attract legitimate clients, and it was incredibly helpful.

Her main piece of advice was to refine my portfolio massively. The main page for example, limiting it to stand-outs only, as commissioner's are time poor, and they won't scroll. She also mentioned, commissioners will very often use a photo rather than illustration, as it’s quicker and cheaper, so I need to make my work stand out and show clients how it can be used, for example making mockups with typography in situ.

I’m yet to make mockups, as this requires a little more time and thought regarding who I want to target, however I did make the website edits and feel with this more seamless and simple layout, I’ll appear more professional to potential new clients.