This question comes up a lot. Usually in the form of either:
How do you make the leap from part-time to full-time?
or
Do most freelance illustrators have a part-time job?
So lets address those two and if you have any other questions about full time vs. part-time, leave a comment/question and I’ll come back to it.
Do most freelance illustrators have a part-time job?
The second question is more of a comparison question, like, how successful are my peers compared to me? It doesn’t take into account that some freelancers take a part-time job for reasons other than finances. Freelancing can be lonely and all-consuming. If you have an enforced place to be, it can force you into participation and interaction with others. If you’re the kind of person that can get lost in their own head and withdraw from reality, then it’s a good way to keep you in touch with the outside world. Then you can return to your art-space with some inspiration.
Finances are most difficult at the very start of your freelance career (unless you’ve got a years salary saved up). If your aim is to go full-time, save as much of your income as you can. Live on a tight budget until you have that years salary saved up. That takes a long time for most people - it took me years, not months. The nature of freelance is that you have peaks and troughs. Some months you will earn £££ and other months you won’t earn anything at all. But you still have to work your ass off. When the work isn’t coming in, you have to develop or expand your portfolio. That is fun, but not financially rewarding. And the worry of ‘I’m not earning anything’ becomes panic, and it’s difficult to create your best work in that state. So a part-time job offers a buffer zone.
How do you make the leap from part-time to full-time?
This is trickier to answer. My opinion would be that you should know your work habits before you shake off the part-time job. If you’re the type of person with contacts, mad organisation skills, and more time than you can shake a stick at, then go for it. As long as you have those savings to fall back on, give it a go.
If, like me, you don’t have those things, put all of your efforts into securing an agent first. And give your agent time to get some jobs rolling in. And you try and get some jobs rolling in too. Because the main aim, is to fill your calendar up with work. Don’t overdo it though. There is no equal feeling to the drowning sensation you have when you have five deadlines in one week. So spend some time realistically estimating your capabilities to juggle work. This is different for everyone, based on how long it takes you to do a rough, to do character design, and to complete a colour spread. So, in short, make sure you’ve considered what a working week will look like when you’re full-time. It’s rewarding, but it’s also hard work getting those projects coming in.
I hope that’s answered some questions, and if you have more, just ask in the comments and I’ll give you an honest answer.