THE 5-DAY ILLUSTRATION PORTFOLIO CHALLENGE
DAY TWO
Be sure to read the notes below!
The Lessons
click below to watch!
Day 1
Brainstorming!
Day 2
Sketch it out!
Day 3
Scan & Color!
Day 4
Finish it up!
Day 5
Show it off!
SKETCHBOOK CHALLENGE
LIVE! Replay
From Sketchbook to Published
LIVE! Replay
Don't forget your book!
To help get your portfolio moving, here are a few of the most common mistakes that illustrators make in their portfolios. This 20-page book is totally free as a thank you for taking this mini-course with me!
(control click or right click to download)
Download your book
Day 2 - Sketch it out!
Welcome to Day TWO!
Today, we will take an idea or two (or three) from our brainstorming session and sketch it out.
EXERCISE.
1. Start by tracing the shape of a circle. A drinking glass works great for this!
2. Draw SEVERAL of your ideas.
A FEW TIPS.
- Text is NOT required!
- Try to make your image simple and clear.
- Start your sketches on cheap paper! Sometimes, doing sketches like these in your sketchbook might make you overly stressed about making them perfect.
- The more sketches you make, the more you'll like the final result!
- Try different topics from your brainstorm list!
- The sketching stage is the part that takes me the longest. Don't feel like you have to rush it. Take your time.
Workshop Supplies
For my demos, I'll be using these art supplies.
Required:
- Paper and pencil
Optional, but highly recommended:
- Photoshop or Procreate (pick one!)
- iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
You can also use your phone as a scanner. I'll show you in the lessons.
Learn with THE digital illustration GURU.
Just announced! We are excited to have KYLE WEBSTER join us again LIVE for this year's Getting Paid to Draw to dive into a Creative Professional's Survival Guide.
Let's do this!
“This course covers so much value for an illustrator at various career stages. It offers a lot of information at the perfect pace so you can absorb it."
- Raquel B.
For more than 20 years, Mike Lowery has been helping artists to build portfolios that get work.
Your Portfolio Journey
If you've been hoping to find new ways to build your illustration portfolio, you're in the right spot.
Over the next few days, you're going to build an awesome new piece that is ready to show off.
If you want to dive deeper into the business of illustration, join me in Getting Paid to Draw! It's my once-a-year, 8-week portfolio-building course. It's the ultimate way to find paid illustration assignments.
REGISTRATION STARTS SOON.
Getting Paid to Draw 2026
Questions about Mike's Getting Paid to Draw course?
Join a LIVE Q&A!
NOTE! THIS IS NOT THE BIG MEET-UP FOR THE PORTFOLIO CHALLENGE. This is a short Q&A about the upcoming course.
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"Mike is an amazing instructor because he's organized the information in this course in a way that is not overwhelming and easy to take in and digest!"
- Charlotte R.
