Confessions of a Portrait Artist Paid With ''Exposure''.

Today, we tell the story of our longtime friend and client, Tony.

Last year, we had not heard from him for a while, so of course we had to check in. 

Tony begun his arts career in 2022 as a charcoal portrait artist. Back then, he'd sit for hours creating portraits of prominent persons, perfecting every strand of hair, every dimple, every eyelash, all for “exposure.” The man was running a full-time portrait artist hustle on a diet of ''thank you, bro''. Others with big social media profiles, promised to tag him on Instagram and that would, ''guarantee him more clients''. The tag, however, never came.

After a few years of being “paid in appreciation,” as you'd imagine, the joy started to fade. The creative burnout hit- the quiet, sneaky kind that makes even your favourite pencil feel heavy. He was officially in a creative lull, and his sketchbook was gathering dust in a corner.

How His Sketchbook Saved Him

One random afternoon, out of sheer boredom, Tony picked up his old sketchbook. No clients, no commissions, no expectations. He started scribbling funny faces. For a period, all he drew were caricatures of some of his previous clients with comically large heads. This wasn't portfolio building; this was artistic recovery. He was overcoming artist block.

Page by page, his sketchbook became his recovery room. A silent, non-judgmental space for creative play. Page by page... it wasn’t about results, it was about release, he was healing.

Lessons Tony Learnt Along the Way:

• "Exposure" Doesn't Pay your Rent.
• Not everyone who praises you will pay you. Find those who value your craft.
• Your Sketchbook Can Be Your Best Therapist. Let it hold your stress so you can create from a place of joy.
• Art without joy is just a job. Don’t lose the fun chasing clients who don’t value the process or the popularity game. If art is your career, find a way to make every day joyful, that’s how your creativity stays alive.
• Rest is part of the process. Even pencils need sharpening.

Today, Tony is back to doing portraits but on his terms. He charges reasonably, chooses his projects, and has built a great client list.

So if you’re in that creative lull or clients take the joy out of creating, take Tony’s cue. Don’t throw away your sketchbook; Open it. Scribble. Draw caricatures if you have to. Laugh.
Sometimes, healing starts with a single messy line. You can support his work by clicking on the link: Tony's Art.