From Airbrush to Digital: The Evolution of Freelance Illustration

The Early Days of Freelance Illustration

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, before the digital revolution, freelance illustrators relied on physical portfolios to showcase their work and secure jobs. These portfolios were carefully curated collections of original artwork, often presented in large cases or folders. Illustrators would make appointments with art directors, who would then review their work in person. This process was often nerve-wracking for artists, as their careers hinged on these face-to-face meetings.

Marshall Vandruff, a veteran illustrator, recalls his experiences during this era:

"A portfolio in the pre-computer days, like this in a case, was the way freelance illustrators got work. We made appointments on the phone to sit with art directors who decided our fate while we sweated through them looking at these, hoping they liked it, fearing they didn't."

As Vandruff's career progressed and he gained more experience, his confidence grew. He reached a point where he had so much work that he no longer felt nervous during these portfolio reviews.

The Airbrush Era

During this period, airbrush illustration was a highly sought-after skill in the commercial art world. Vandruff estimates that over a 20-year span, he completed approximately 750 jobs, many of which involved airbrush work. His expertise in this technique led to him being branded as an illustrator and photo retoucher, particularly for machine-related projects.

Vandruff's journey with the airbrush began when he was 18, taking a class that initially proved challenging:

"I took a class in airbrush. It was a disaster. This was my first attempt at an elaborate piece. This was done with paints that were water-soluble. On a hot day, your sweat drips down on it and you ruin the piece."

Despite these early struggles, Vandruff persevered, recognizing that mastering the airbrush could lead to a professional art career. He continued to practice and improve his skills, eventually becoming proficient enough to take on commercial work.

The Challenges of Pre-Digital Illustration

Creating illustrations before the advent of digital tools presented unique challenges:

1. No layers or undo function: Every mistake could potentially ruin an entire piece of work.
2. Limited revision capabilities: Once an illustration was complete, making significant changes was difficult or impossible.
3. Tight deadlines: Many jobs had to be completed quickly to meet printing press schedules.
4. Physical delivery: Finished artwork had to be physically transported to clients, often via courier services.

Vandruff recalls the pressure of these constraints:

"When the courier came to pick this up at 7:30 in the morning after about, that was about a week of work, which a week of work at that time for a job like this was a luxury. Things happened very fast. When you handed it off to the courier in the morning and the paint was dry, if anything happened to it, there was no record of it."

The Transition to Digital Illustration

As the 1990s progressed, digital tools began to revolutionize the illustration industry. Vandruff remembers a pivotal moment when he first encountered early versions of Photoshop:

"After I did this job, I was in a department store that sold computers and the salesman said I want you to see something and they had a version of Photoshop an early version of Photoshop early 1990s before layers and he said watch this and he pulled down the cursor and made a gradation that was perfect and then he said and if you don't like it and it undid it and he could do it again I almost hyperventilated."

This experience marked the beginning of Vandruff's transition to digital illustration. He invested in powerful computer equipment, becoming one of the early adopters of digital tools in the commercial art world.

Advantages of Digital Illustration

The shift to digital tools brought numerous benefits:

1. Increased flexibility: Artists could easily make changes and revisions.
2. Layered workflows: Complex illustrations could be built up in layers, allowing for non-destructive editing.
3. Perfect gradients: Digital tools could create smooth color transitions that were challenging to achieve with traditional methods.
4. Faster turnaround times: Many tasks that were time-consuming with traditional media could be accomplished more quickly digitally.

Vandruff embraced these new capabilities, using them to enhance his work and streamline his process:

"I could put the reflection on layers. I can't move them around. Nobody was doing this 3D yet. Of course you do it 3D now, but I knew about how light worked through trans. I'd done probably 20 shiny metals and transparent things. And so Photoshop lets me have total control over these."

Overcoming Digital Challenges

While digital tools offered many advantages, they also presented new challenges. For example, early digital illustrations often suffered from banding in smooth gradients. Vandruff was among the innovators who found solutions to these issues:

"We learned that smooth gradations banded. I don't know if you know what that means, but it would turn into bands. And I was one of the innovators who found out how to get past that, which is by putting bits of noise on it and it would fix the banding."

Enduring Principles in Illustration

Despite the significant changes brought about by digital tools, many fundamental aspects of freelance illustration remained constant:

Meeting Deadlines

Regardless of the tools used, meeting deadlines has always been crucial in the commercial art world. Vandruff emphasizes this point:

"You know what they have in common? They both expect us to meet deadlines."

Maintaining Quality Standards

Clients expect high-quality work, whether it's created traditionally or digitally:

"It's not just getting it on time. It's also doing it up to the standard that they are paying you all that money for."

Client Relationships

Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients remains essential. Vandruff's experiences with art directors like Bonnie Toth highlight the importance of these connections:

"Bonnie was so pleased with what I delivered that for the next several years, she hired me to do any style that she needed. I felt scared of some of them, but she had such confidence. Marshall, you can do it. I know you can do it."

Adaptability

Successful illustrators must be able to adapt to new technologies and changing market demands. Vandruff's transition from traditional airbrush to digital illustration exemplifies this need for flexibility.

The Modern Freelance Illustration Landscape

Today's freelance illustrators face a different set of challenges and opportunities compared to those of previous decades:

Diverse Client Base

Vandruff notes a shift in the client structure for many illustrators:

"I was working for clients who paid one fee, few clients who pay large amounts of money. Now I'm in the opposite position as many of you are. Many clients, hopefully hundreds and thousands of them who pay little money."

This change reflects the rise of platforms that connect artists with a global audience of potential clients.

Portable Workstations

Modern technology allows illustrators to work from virtually anywhere. Vandruff shares an anecdote about a successful children's book illustrator:

"She brought her iPad to our class and our little after class walk. And showed that she can do the whole thing anywhere. She can be in Holland and illustrate her children's books and send them through this thing called the internet."

Continuous Learning

The rapid pace of technological change means that illustrators must continually update their skills. Studying the work of master artists remains valuable, but now illustrators must also stay current with the latest digital tools and techniques.

Advice for Aspiring Illustrators

Based on his extensive experience, Vandruff offers several pieces of advice for those pursuing a career in illustration:

1. Develop a strong foundation in traditional art skills.
2. Embrace new technologies and tools as they emerge.
3. Study the work of master artists across various styles and eras.
4. Build a diverse portfolio that showcases your versatility.
5. Cultivate strong relationships with clients and art directors.
6. Be prepared to adapt to changing market conditions and client needs.
7. Continuously improve your skills through practice and study.

Conclusion

The world of freelance illustration has undergone significant changes since the days of airbrush and physical portfolios. Digital tools have revolutionized the way illustrators work, offering unprecedented flexibility and control. However, many fundamental principles of the profession remain unchanged. Success in freelance illustration still requires talent, hard work, adaptability, and strong client relationships.

As the industry continues to evolve, illustrators who can balance traditional skills with modern digital techniques will be well-positioned to thrive. By learning from the experiences of veteran illustrators like Marshall Vandruff and staying open to new opportunities, aspiring artists can navigate the exciting and ever-changing landscape of freelance illustration.

Whether working with an airbrush or a digital tablet, the core goal remains the same: to create compelling visual art that meets client needs and resonates with audiences. As technology continues to advance, it will be fascinating to see how the next generation of illustrators builds upon the foundation laid by their predecessors while forging new paths in the digital age.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qDI8NfCyeg