Getting Paid to Draw students share their stories in their own words.
We asked past students to share a bit about their experiences with the class. This is what they said.
BOOK DEALS, ILLUSTRATION AGENTS, AND PAID ASSIGNMENTS.
Our students have gone on to do BIG THINGS.
“I learned more about the business of illustration and how to feel comfortable in my style than in all my years of college.”
- Andrew C.
"It's a pro-active, no nonsense course with practical workshops and videos from industry professionals, with a supportive, fun vibe." -
Heidi C.
FIND YOUR DREAM PROJECT.
"I’m so happy I signed up for your course. It changed my life."
I sat down with Patty Benson, an illustrator who was struggling with confidence in her style. After taking Getting Paid to Draw, she finished her portfolio, submitted her work, and ended up with an Illustration agent. Watch the video to hear her story.
“Having spent 30 years as a freelance kids designer (who illustrates), this course has opened my eyes to a whole new world that is accessible to me. Mike's teaching and the community has ignited my passion for drawing and creating again.
-Â Nicollette W.
Ready to take your illustration career to the next level?
Looking for paid assignments? It's time to sign up for the ultimate portfolio-building course.
GETTING PAID TO DRAWMOREÂ COMMUNITY STORIES!
Mollie Hendrick
"Before the course, I had created a lot of work, but I hesitated to put myself out there. GPTD gave me the confidence and the clarity to start submitting my artwork for licensing opportunities instead of just dreaming about it.
Since taking the course, I’ve licensed greeting cards with two companies, designed and published my own 12-month calendar, designed multiple bike jerseys for a local client, and started selling my work in several local shops.
But more than the tangible wins, it changed how I see myself. I no longer wait for permission to call myself a professional artist. I actively pitch, follow up, and pursue opportunities. GPTD helped me move from hoping something would happen to intentionally building a creative career."
Katy Good
“What I learned in 8 weeks has already proven to be invaluable in the early years of my career; students can expect to gain insights from industry professionals, get specific advice on how to work with art directors (and what they are looking for), and learn about illustration markets, agents, book deals, and more.”
Caitlyn Dailey
"I recommend this course because of how well-rounded and accessible it is. The lessons were bite-sized but packed with relevant information for any illustrator - both new and experienced.
The LIVES provided a sense of community and allowed you to hear from current working designers and freelancers."
Mark Wilson
“I would definitely say that GPTD had a hand in my success so far as an illustrator, especially with the marketing and portfolio."
Jon St. Amant
"I was coming off of a big publishing rejection, and I wanted to consider other ways to earn money as an artist. Enter “How to Get Paid to Draw”, by Mike Lowery.Â
Early in the course, there was a lesson about all the different directions you can go to make money from your art, and when I saw "tattooing,” it got me thinking. The icons project that followed became my first sheet of tattoo flash.
Getting Paid to Draw inspired me to take my art in a whole new direction, helping me feel more confident in pursuing something totally different. I expanded the icons project into several sheets of themed tattoo flash in my cartoony style.
Several months after taking Mike’s class, I scheduled my first full-color tattoo session with a client.
And soon after that, I signed a two-book graphic novel publishing deal. Mike Lowery’s class helped me during a creative ebb, and now I realize that there are so many ways to share my art in a way that others will value."
STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES
MEET JACLYNE
Meet Jaclyne, an illustrator living in Toronto, Canada, who also works as a UX designer.
In 2023, Jaclyne took a sabbatical and decided to jump into Getting Paid to Draw to really focus on her illustration work.
Before the course, Jaclyne had never seriously considered making money from art.
Now, she’s getting paid illustration assignments as a result of taking the class.Â
“The biggest thing that came out of that was the shift in mindset… it definitely broke things down in a way that made it feel approachable… It started to feel more possible and made it easier to see what parts of that world were more interesting to me.”
She started reaching out to potential clients and has already worked with two dream clients, including multiple projects for a children’s magazine and one for a Toronto magazine.
“This is a way to see how to take that extra step and think about it more seriously, and see if it is something you’d really be interested in… because after taking the class, it feels less scary and can kind of give you that push to see what you want to do next.”
“The course was informative, chock full of REALLY useful strategies and tips, and engaging. The community was vibrant and helpful and your teaching style including the humor went a long way in making the course extra valuable.” - Bill A.
“It was very informative, fun, and educational! The community aspect of it is great! The guests were AMAZING! And needless to say, the author and illustrator Mike Lowery was spectacular. Overall, a very positive experience.” - Parastoo R.
“I have learned a tremendous amount from the lectures and felt like I had a real insider perceptive on what to expect from the industry. Also the community that was fostered has been a highlight and so supportive.” - Desiree S.
“Aside from being really fun and supportive, this course gave me exactly the practical focus and info I needed..."
- Sarah A.
“I learned more about the business of illustration and how to feel comfortable in my style than in all my years of college. Mike is a fantastic instructor who is encouraging and knowledgeable.” - Andrew C.
“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.
"After taking this course, I feel I have a clear vision on how to go about making illustration pieces and taking the next steps to contact art directors and potential clients. It makes the process less scary and far fetched.” - Leen D.
“I would definitely recommend this class to any illustrator who is trying to figure out this sometimes confusing industry. It is not only informative, but it also has opened my eyes to all the possibilities there are with illustration as a career.” - Shawnte J.
"Mike is good at breaking things down into bite size pieces that nearly all folks will be able to comprehend." - Elizabeth B
MEETÂ VINCENT
Meet Vincent, an illustrator in Stockholm who now works with his Dream Client after taking Getting Paid to Draw.
Doing illustration has been a dream since he was a kid. Taking part in Getting Paid to Draw gave him a nudge to make his dream come true; the prompts and projects gave him concrete direction to focus on getting his portfolio together and helped him overcome the anxiety of the blank page. He discovered how the business of illustration works.
“It gave me the insight that I need to move forward. It gave me the confidence to get it done.”
Diving into the Dream Client Method helped him feel confident enough to reach out to his own dream client, a hostel and restaurant on an island outside of Stockholm. He presented his work, and they loved it. He’s been working for them regularly since then.
