| As the oldest and grizzliest of the Three Bears, I've been illustrating for 35 years, 25 of them in Hong Kong. I have built a global client list and won some awards (you can see them here).
I've also lectured in illustration at BA level in the UK (where I met Helen at Glasgow School of Art), Hong Kong, and at BFA level in American colleges. To my surprise, I realised I loved teaching the business of illustration and empowering young illustrators to know their value - just as much as I enjoy teaching the creative side.
When I embarked on my illustration career after my MA in 1989, I was pretty clueless about business (I didn't even know what kind of illustrator I was), so I learned on the job by saying yes to almost every type of illustration commission in every area: editorial, design, advertising, event illustration, murals, licensing, branding… even banknote design. I guess this makes me the 'generalist' of the group. Now, I've found my comfy place in illustrated mapmaking, which means I still get to work with lots of different types of clients across a variety of business sectors. So, I'm still learning.
I've never had an agent, but I've been lucky enough to have friends in design and advertising who gave me juicy insider tips and invaluable advice from the other side of the client desk. They helped me understand the mysteries of illustration pricing and usage, and I learned loads.
Or at least I thought I had… until I met Helen and Katie.
Initially, we assumed that, as illustrators, our business was the same across the board. But as we began to share our experiences from the different areas within illustration, we realised that the rules vary wildly within each specialism.
There simply wasn't a one-size-fits-all approach. The picture book industry was different from design, editorial, and advertising. Meanwhile, Katie was forging ahead in the world of new media, which was a whole new business space. The more we talked about our different ways of doing things, the more we suddenly realised that, between us, we had an incredible wealth of niche 360-degree business knowledge, which we could piece together like a giant jigsaw puzzle to share with you!
Which is why it took us forever to write this hefty course. And we're still adding to it.
Career Highlights
Illustrating the livery of an Airbus A330 and then turning that illustration into a huge launch event, complete with hundreds of costumed child dancers.
I sued a client for copyright infringement for a five-figure sum.
For a few years, I was a set designer for luxury corporate events - I saw Barry Humphries crack jokes and Brian Ferry croon in front of my backdrop designs.
Weird Facts
I love contracts, licences, and copyright.
- Both scary and boring, right? I never dreamt they'd become my favourite nerdy subject. I learned how to protect and exploit the value of my work, and I can teach you how to do this, too. It's thrilling.
Want something weirder than that?
- I've been a die-hard fan of The Archers radio show since I was 18. I can't sleep unless I know all's well in Ambridge.
- I'd outlaw a particular shade of purple (you know the one).
- I'm compelled to straighten wonky pictures. I can't help myself. I do it everywhere; in restaurants, mid-meal, etc. I'd even do it if you took me to your mum's house.
x Tania (& Helen & Katie)
Would you like Tania to be your fairy business godmother of all things contracts and licensing?
Good news...
The doors to The Business Course are open right now!
(But only for a wee while.) You only have until tonight to secure your place on the amazing Early Bird very fancy and semi-professional shoulder pads Zoom meeting.
Early Birds get to sit at the (Zoom) table with all 3 Good Ship Captains and pick our brains. This exclusive call will be happening *after* the 8-week course, so you’ll have lots of brilliant business questions by then! |
