There are plenty of children’s illustration portfolios out there that look polished. The technique is strong, and the style is appealing. But sometimes, even when all the “right” boxes are ticked, something’s still missing. And that missing piece is often “authenticity”.

Have you ever been told, “Just keep making work and your style will come”? I have. I clung to that advice for a long time. Five years, actually. I drew constantly, tried everything, experimented and ended up completely stuck and burn out.

Here are three things I wish I’d known sooner.