How I make it work: An interview with the artist and illustrator Rebecca Campbell
Cluster Illustration is delighted to introduce How I make it work, a series in which we interview established illustrators who share how they have built a career in illustration, and the advice that they would give to those graduating from art school today.
In this article we speak with the London-based artist and illustrator Rebecca Campbell, who balances a busy schedule of gallery exhibitions, private mural commissions, and commercial illustration projects for clients worldwide. Rebecca is also an ambassador for the conservation charity Elephant Family, a role that has led to her painting two elephant sculptures, a tuk tuk, and a Royal Enfield motorbike, as well as racing across the plains of Rajasthan for their fundraising campaigns. Her work will soon be exhibited in a solo show of 24 new paintings at Jonathan Cooper, Chelsea, in October 2020.
Margot Le Rouge / Le Villi | Image Via Opera Holland Park
“Winters Tale” | Image Via The Blank Card Company
How did you become an illustrator?
I trained as an illustrator at City and Guilds of London Art School. After graduating, initially I found it difficult to find illustration work because I had too many different styles, someone commissioning me wouldn’t be certain of what they would get. I was very ill-prepared for the real world, I think that art schools are much better today at making their students a bit more savvy! A year after graduating I found work with a magazine, partly selling advertising, but also creating illustrations and cartoons, which I loved, and which also gave me a great grounding in accounting, marketing etc. After this I started a business decorating furniture as a vehicle for people to see my work on, and this developed into painting murals.
When did you begin exhibiting as a painter?
A few years later a decorative panel that I painted for a home in Chelsea was featured in a magazine, and was spotted by the art dealer Jonathan Cooper. Jonathan encouraged me to try painting on canvas, and after the twelve small paintings I created all quickly sold in an open studio weekend, he offered me a solo show in 2002. That changed my life! I never expected to be a painter.
“One Who Plants a Garden Plants Happiness” oil on linen, 122 x 180cm | image courtesy of and copyright Rebecca Campbell
Artist and illustrator Rebecca Campbell, pictured with a tuk tuk decorated for the wildlife conservation charity Elephant Family.
You have continued to hold solo shows with Jonathan Cooper every two years, alongside exhibiting in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, undertaking illustration commissions, and your work as an ambassador for Elephant Family. How do you manage such a busy schedule?
Flexibility is key: I have never worked nine to five, and if I have to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines, so be it!
What advice would you give to those graduating from art school now, or looking to establish a career as an illustrator?
Making a living purely as an artist is difficult; it’s important to have as many strings to your bow as possible. I enjoy the variety and challenge of taking on illustration commissions, and the fact that they inspire me to think in ways that I would not have done otherwise. I never would have thought that I would be creating work inspired by Tchaikovsky and Verdi, as I have done through my commissions for Holland Park Opera!
Say yes to as many opportunities as possible, as each project that you undertake can open doors and lead to others. Each element of my work has fed into other aspects of my career: my decorative work led to gallery representation, while paintings that were created for exhibitions have later been used as book cover illustrations.
It’s just as important to create your own opportunities, however, and to get your work out there however you can. Although in many ways it is now easier to share your work online, perhaps it is also more competitive. Having a professional-looking website is a must, supported by an Instagram account with a consistent feel.
On a practical level I would advise joining the Association of Illustrators, who can provide support and helpful advice on pricing and contracts. Also for licensing your work, check out Bridgeman Studio. Finally, only you can make it happen: work hard, be open to opportunities, and keep going!
“The Maharajah and the Mahoot” oil on linen, 91 x 61cm | image copyright and courtesy of Rebecca Campbell