Industry Ready: Best Practices for Illustrators with Danamarie Hosler

Step into the world of professional illustration with confidence in Industry Ready: Best Practices for (beginning) Illustrators—a dynamic webinar designed to help you bridge the gap between passion and paid work. Whether you're refining your portfolio or wondering if you're ready to start querying, this session will give you clear, actionable guidance on what industry professionals actually look for. You’ll learn how to build a portfolio that stands out, discover insider tips for getting noticed and hired, and understand the subtle but critical differences between “good” and “ready.” We’ll also review real portfolios and websites together, breaking down what works, what doesn’t, and how to level up your presentation instantly. If you’re serious about turning your illustration skills into real opportunities, this is the roadmap you’ve been waiting for.

If you’d like the chance of getting your portfolio/website critiqued during this session, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line: “Summer Spring Board Illustrator Submission” and the link to your website/portfolio in the email body.

We will take time at the end of the session to work on revising an illustration with what we have learned. To be prepared, bring an illustration with you to the session, and work on it either digitally or on paper. We’ll take a few minutes at the end to share what we worked on. 

The session will have a 30-day replay, if you can’t make it to the live session. Replay link will be emailed to you the day after the session.

We will be hosting live critiques with Danamarie over Zoom.

Due date to turn in portfolio for critique is July 5th at 9pm ET. 

Portfolio can be a webpage or a PDF with 8-15 illustrations. Title PDF as Firstname_Lastname_Portfolio.PDF.  

The critiques will be held on Sunday, Jul 12th at 12-2.30pm ET. If you are signing up for a critique, make sure you are open during that window of time. You will be emailed a time slot to show up for during the time by July 6th. Please show up at least 5 minutes before your time slot so we have time to place you in a breakout room before your critique time. Critiques can not be refunded, or time slots moved if you show up late. 

The critique time slots are for 15 minutes. Danamarie will look at your portfolio before your time, and prepare written notes that you will go over, and have time to ask questions. You will get a copy of your written critique emailed to you after the live critiques.