Getting an Agent was bad for me.

MarcRobinson

I was going to put this topic forward to the podcast, but since it is a slightly sensitive subject I thought it might be best on here.

I got rep'd by an Agency (please don't share) in May last year, and I was super chuffed. It was my first ever try at sending out postcards and it paid off within a couple of weeks (I don't say that as a brag, I guess I was lucky it got seen by the right person at the right time). The problem is I never got any work through the agency, and it's been over a year. I was told by them that one of the reasons why I was picked up was because I had the ability to do so many different style and topics, but when I asked “what illustrations should I make to get clients?” I was basically told to just do “Anything”. It was a scatter-gun approach, and it hasn't worked. I gave up even trying because it was uninspiring and aimless. I don't blame the agency, as they have a large roster of artists doing everything from advertising to picture books to concept art and I've gotten lost in the mix.

And I'm actually not that upset.

I don't know if any of you guys have felt the same, but do you ever think you've been trying to “fit in” to a genre of illustration that maybe you are not meant to be in? Any commission I've ever done I've hated. I did a paid art test for a publisher, and when I didn't get the gig I was actually relieved. I'm not a picture book illustrator. I like making weird and edgy stories more suited to graphic novels and prose.

I think the universe is telling me to just make my own stuff. The comics I did years ago always sold out at conventions and have been so much fun to make. So maybe it's time to return to doing art for myself. I have come to this realisation reluctantly because I wanted so badly to be validated as a “real illustrator” but I guess the only way that I can be true to the artist in me is to make my own weird stuff and sell it. But if it ends up just being for the love of it, that's okay too.

I know @Lee-White always has such interesting insights into the world of agents, and if you guys feel it relevant to the podcast feel free to cover it, just please keep it anonymous on there.

Sorry to vent, but I'm always inspired by the community here and it feels like a safe place to be open about such things. If you feel comfortable I'd love to hear about your experiences or thoughts on the matter.

MarcRobinson

This post is deleted!

@MarcRobinson your work is amazing and quite inspiring in craftsmanship and concept. In my opinion you ought to be able to go directly to the market through a kickstarter project. If you were not with Lemonade you would be a formidable competitor against them. What better way to contain your magic than to engage you with the sole intention of sidelining you. I’m not saying that is what they are doing but the fact you aren’t getting work makes wonder. Given your skill level and ability to come up with clever concepts you should be one of the busiest artists in the world.

As for Kickstarter, look up Brandon Sanderson who able got funded over 40 million dollars! If you’ve not already signed up for the Self Publishing Pro course you ought to. That’s what I did and I’m looking forward to learning the ins and outs of how to navigate kickstarter from three guys I’ve come to trust.

Enni Heikura

@MarcRobinson Marc, I’m sorry about your experience. I think if you get an agency, it would also be desirable to get work projects from them. It’s strange that they haven’t found a suitable project for you since you’re so talented! I don’t have experience with agencies myself (which is why I posted about it on the forum). But a couple of times, someone has emailed me asking if I would illustrate for their book, and I’ve declined because I know I wouldn’t be the best fit (for example, if the subject is strongly related to a culture that is completely unfamiliar to me).

If you feel that it doesn’t feel right to do the work and you might succeed with your own projects, then definitely go for it! And if your own projects have been successful before, I don’t see why they wouldn’t continue to be in the future. At least I encourage you to give it a try

Zachary Schrage

@MarcRobinson I actually have another friend who is repd by them too. And hasn't gotten anything. Also said they're rude.

MarcRobinson

@TY-Graphics-LLC Thanks for the kind words, mate. I appreciate it. I'm glad you noticed the concepts in my work as I like to make sure I spend quite a lot of time on that aspect first. Yeah hopefully I can make something out of my own projects again. I would love to do the Self Publish Pro course, but at the moment I can't really afford it due to family reasons. It does look amazing though. Maybe next year.

MarcRobinson

@Enni-Heikura Thank you, the encouragement means a lot to me. Yeah I think now is the time to start leaning into my own stuff. I saw your post about agents, and your work is definitely heading into the right direction for getting a good rep.

NessIllustration

@MarcRobinson I think you're right, you should make your own projects! You don't need anyone's validation to create!

MarcRobinson

@Zachary-Schrage Man, that's no good. My experience is not so much rude, but that they are so busy with all their artists that the communication is very dry and impersonal. And that you get the impression that you work for them and it's not a partnership. But hey ho.

MarcRobinson

@NessIllustration Thanks Vanessa, I hope I can make something of it. It does seem to get harder to squeeze these things in as I get older, but a little bit every day should work.

@MarcRobinson I could not afford it either, so I borrowed the money. One of the most game-changing things in this world is the concept of "Now." There is something powerful in believing in what can not be seen at present but knowing it will manifest through your risk and commitment.

You seem to be a humble man who allows the quality of his work to speak for itself. You must believe the battle is already won and step out in faith. I'm confident in your ability that if I had the money, I would bet on your success.

Mimi Simon

@MarcRobinson I don't think you need to give up on getting a better agent unless you want to. If you don't feel comfortable doing standard children's book stuff you should eradicate that from your portfolio and only have stuff thats the kind of thing you want to do. You could also try pitching your own projects in order to get an agent. If your comfortable writing your own stories, then you could both more easily get an agent (they love people who can do both) and the agent would be coming to you for your concept not because they were attracted to some of your portfolio pieces that you are no longer interested in.

MarcRobinson

@Mimi-Simon That's some really good advice, thank you. Like Will has said on the podcast before, I'm thinking the stuff I like to make might be out of the wheelhouse of a lot of agents and publishers, so going solo might be my only real avenue.

Kristen Lango

@MarcRobinson Thank you so much for being willing to share this with us Marc.

To answer your question in bold, yes, all the time yes.

I totally relate to everything you said. There was a "bigger" gig that came along for me that didn't end up working out and I was actually so happy it didn't because of the confinement I felt almost immediately.

I struggle with this literally all of the time: wanting to get paid for my illustration work but feeling boxed in when an opportunity arises.

Really I don't know if this problem ever goes away, even when you feel like you've "made it" as an illustrator... also when is that? Is it when you've made $20 from your art or $20,000? Clearly it's this subjective thing that lives in our minds about what it is to be a "real illustrator" like you said.

This is going to seem quite random, but the works of Martin Salisbury (books about illustration) actually helped me to get past these notions a little bit, particularly his latest, Illustrator's Sketchbooks.

Anyway, thanks again for sharing, I deeply resonated with this entire post of yours.

willicreate

@MarcRobinson said in Getting an Agent was bad for me.:

do you ever think you've been trying to “fit in” to a genre of illustration that maybe you are not meant to be in?

There was a moment in history where all businesses wanted to break into social media, hiring any young person to create rando content for the likes. I did that for a while. Made a few thoughtful pieces but mostly thoughtless content. The job could have grown into a career, but I couldn’t continue. I disappointed a few people, including my mentor at the time, but like you I wanted to be true to myself.

Sorry to hear the agency wasn’t of help to you. In 2023 MOCCA Fest, I sat in this lecture on indie/alternative graphic novel publishing:
Professional Development: Publishing BooksToday The link is timestamped to the part the 4 editors shared their opinion of agents. It wasn’t positive. Can’t say if their sentiment is shared by the children’s book publishing houses.

I like your anthropomorphic crocodile fantasy piece. Not sure if that is the kind of “weird stuff” you want to do, but I see a market for it in indie video games, board games, and is align with European graphic novels. Keep exploring different industries, networking, and please continue to share your work.

MarcRobinson

@Kristen-Lango Thanks Kristen I'm glad you found parts of it relatable. It's definitely a weird thing trying to fit in. I guess I've just been a bit afraid to be myself and it not having the appeal.

MarcRobinson

@willicreate Thank you for the link, I'm gonna check it out. It's funny you should mention social media because last year I really pushed my Instagram everyday, and one post went kind of viral. I jumped up from 800 followers to about 16K in a few weeks, but it was SO shallow. No real engagement and I'm sure half the people were bots!

I do like my alligator illustration and it is more in the vein of what I mean by weird. But I guess I really just mean stuff that doesn't easily fit into the mainstream. The comics I've done in the past have always had dark humour and adult themes.

menalkhan

I'm sorry you're going through this, Marc. I recently submitted my illustration portfolio to [redacted] Agency and actually received the opposite feedback. They told me that my style was too vague and to reach out again once I revised. I had heard some poor reviews from others so I decided not to pursue further.

Trust your instincts & lean into the work that genuinely excites you. There are so many ways to be a "real illustrator." The most important thing is finding the path that makes you feel fulfilled.
Wishing you all the best in rediscovering your artistic journey!

tombarrettillo

@MarcRobinson I think a lot of artists have a limited view of what is actually possible these days. There is no use boxing yourself in to a niche that you have no heart for. You won't produce quality work. If your comics did great, lean into that for a year and see what happens. And you are already a real illustrator, simply by the fact that you create illustrations. You're also a comics artist.

While commercial publishing I know has its merits as the guys have mentioned, the world of self publishing is so full of opportunities. I don't say that from experience, but as a hopeful illustrator working on his first ever book that I am super excited about and believe there is an audience for. And I have many other ideas I believe will do well.

It is going to take a lot of work, but if your heart is in it, you won't even notice.

Michael Angelo Go

@MarcRobinson

Hey Marc, I have been having this question about myself as well. Do I really want to be an illustrator for silly children's books? Or do I want to draw art for stories that actual resonate with me?

Like YA Novels, superheroes, comics, etc.

I think you're experiencing an issue that I never got the chance to address years ago when I first came here to the forums at SVS (since I finally got a day job).

We're trying to break into a market that is probably already oversaturated and dominated by well-known and well-established artists, that has also been shrinking down with the economy, not to mention clients being taken away from AI.

I know someone who has been contracted with an agent for 1.5 years and they still haven't gotten clients. Perhaps children's books aren't hot right now, or maybe the agent isn't very competent.

Either way, I would recommend drawing for yourself and try to create or invest in projects that resonate with you, before trying to market yourself.