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Nicola ~ Mentor for experienced artists & illustrators

@brand.warrior

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Ready for the next incarnation of your illustration career? Through the Trees begins January 2027 Interested? DM me the word ‘warrior’ 🌲🏹🌲
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Many illustrators who are deep in their career tell me they don’t need hundreds of commissions: they just want more of the the right ones. Exciting, well-paid projects from clients who value their work. They also tell me “I want my business to feel like a business,” because it doesn’t yet, even though they’ve been paid artists and illustrators for years. And recently, they tell me that it feels like AI is coming for them. Fast. Are there any good projects left for real, human artists? To all of these I say: Yes, yes, and YES! With over 25 years of helping artists share (and get paid for) their creative work, I can say with certainty: You’re more than ready for the next incarnation of your business and the opportunities do still exist. Plenty of them. In fact, human-made art is even more precious now that it’s not a given. Work with me, and over six months, we’ll hone your brand, develop a marketing strategy you’re excited about (really) that effectively connects you with appreciative clients, and create a practical plan for you to move forward. Our goal: For the next phase of your career to be shaped by your strengths and ambitions, rather than whatever work happens to come in. If you’re ready to become known for the work you most want to do and attract better-paid, better-fit commissions, I’d love to hear from you. DM me the word WARRIOR. Nicola x 🌲🏹 🌲 Plus, if you book your spot on Through the Trees by Monday 30 November, you’ll receive a free one-hour, one-to-one session with me in December. We'll review and reflect on 2026, and get a head start on what your strategy looks like for 2027. Image credits: Nicola leads workshop @pinkmcr 1:1 session with @katherinekannon Eva Polakovicova @evapolakovic by @brand.warrior
Hey there 👋 I help experienced artists and illustrators build stronger, more sustainable careers by mastering the brand and marketing side of what they do. So it leads to fulfilling work from clients who pay well and value their expertise. I created my coaching and mentoring programme, Through the Trees, from 25 years of helping artists across disciplines get their work seen. Why is it called Through the Trees, I hear you ask? 🌲🌲🌲 Because, my friend, when you’re an artist or illustrator with your own creative business, and you’re also the admin assistant, the marketing manager and the finance manager, it can feel like you can’t see the wood for the trees! Does this sound familiar? 🌲 The good jobs used to find you, but you can’t rely on that any more
 🌲 You feel hidden in a crowded market, even though people love your work
 🌲 Social media fills you with dread, so you’ve ended up doing very little
 🌲 You’ve tried cold emails and directories, with little to show for it
 🌲 Paid work always swallows your marketing time You can have years of experience and still have no clear view of where it’s all leading. Through the Trees helps you step back, see the bigger picture, and find a clear path through the woods. Together, we take everything you’ve built so far, your experience, expertise, style and portfolio, and turn it into:  🏹 A clear reputation-building strategy you’re proud of.
 🏹 A positioning that reflects the artist you are today. 🏹 A simple marketing system you’ll actually stick to. So you go from freelance illustrator to the illustrator people seek out for the work you most want to do. **Ready for the journey?** The next round is now open. Begin Through the Trees in January 2027. DM me the word ‘warrior’ if you’re interested in strategically building your reputation with me. Nicola at Brand Warrior x 🏹🌲🏹 Art and photo credit: @KatherineKannonillustration @Carys_ink Photo @angenietberkers | @rotterdamillustrators by @brand.warrior
If you’re an artist or illustrator who wants to get their work out there and get more commissions, then subscribe to my newsletter for a regular dose of warrior wisdom! 🏹💫🏹 In every newsletter, you’ll get insights into branding, marketing, and the inner work that makes that outer work possible, including... 🏹 Brand and marketing advice on how to get commissions without the hard sell.  🏹 Tips to promote yourself in a way that feels authentic and true to you. 🏹 Real stories from artists and illustrators about their creative journeys.  🏹 Inspiration, ideas and support to help you show up and take steps towards your creative vision, whether that’s to get more of the type of illustration projects that you love; present a solo exhibition at your local gallery; create artwork for books published by the big five or travel across the world painting murals in your favourite cities! 💫💫💫 Head to the link in bio to subscribe and I look forward to dropping in your inbox soon.   Keep forging your own path.♥️ Nicola at Brand Warrior  🏹x🏹 Photo: @jesshowellphoto on location @thistle_and_wild #artist #illustrator #creativebusiness #marketing #branding #growth #creativitymatters #warriorwisdom #brandwarrior #warriorwisdom #creativecoach #creativementor #creativefreelancer by @brand.warrior
Drawn In Word Play: Festive Card Edition ✏️🎁✏️ Join Drawn In for a playful festive card-making workshop led by Manchester-based artist, Dani Molyneux AKA Dotto. Dani / Dotto creates message-led graphic art, which she brings to life through paint, print and pixels.  Her work has been seen painted on walls (like for the BRITs Art Trail), projected on screens (for All Flows Creative Festival) and printed on merch (for Adobe’s community events).  Whatever the platform or the client, her artwork spreads the word about the good stuff in life that brings people together: theatre, music, books and coffee, and most importantly, her artwork keeps the conversation going!  At this festive meet-up, Dani will kick things off with a short intro to how she finds her words and ideas, plus a few warm-up exercises to loosen up your hand and your head before you start making. Then it’s over to you.✏️🎁✏️ Empty the words out of your brain, fish out the good ones and pick your favourite. Through a mash-up of speed journalling, sketching and crafting, you’ll turn them into twisty, type-led cards. Festive or otherwise, it’s your choice. No experience needed. Just bring yourself and a sense of play. If you want to send your creations further, you’ll have the option to turn your cards digital and share them with friends. Bring your drawing materials. We’ll supply the paper and card. **Booking & info** Saturday 28th November, 1–3pm Cass Art, Northern Quarter, Manchester Tickets £6, £4.50 AOI member 20 places available, book early to avoid disappointment 😊 @dotto_studio @theaoi @cassart1984 🎁✏️🎁 by @brand.warrior
Last week, I went on a retreat Monday to Wednesday, led by @kirsty_gallagher_ in Lincolnshire, which was restorative and beautiful. I didn’t check my emails, use my laptop or phone for three days, and the great thing was I didn’t even want to. I switched off from work completely. Switching off is a relatively new ability for me, it’s something I’ve always struggled with over the years, but I'm finally figuring out how to do it regularly - it's one part inner work, two parts business strategy. Swipe through to read about the three parts, and how I am finally learning to unplug. What resonates with you the most? by @brand.warrior
Let's make waves! Join me at this free workshop to explore the four positioning anchors that can help you become known and remembered by the right type of clients. You’ll learn: ⚓(1) The four different positioning anchors - and which one is best suited to you and your illustration offer ⚓(2) How to get clearer on what you want prospective clients to know and remember you for ⚓(3) How your positioning anchor can help you become known for the type of work you most want to be commissioned for ⚓(4) Where and how to communicate your positioning so future clients can quickly understand what you do and why they might come to you ⚓(5) Three actions you can take this week to start anchoring your positioning, making waves and building a stronger reputation for the work you want more of So, what do you want to be known for from this point in your career as an experienced illustrator? Join me online: Tuesday 20 October 12noon - 1.15pm BST Online - on zoom Replay available 🎟️Book your spot via the link in my bio🎟️ Making Waves illustration: @evapolakovic Photo: @jesshowellphoto by @brand.warrior
A HUGE thankyou to everyone who braved the Manchester weather yesterday for some canal-side sketching with the incredible @mattgibbonsstudio 🙌🏻 We had such a fun time learning how Matt brings his illustrations to life. Getting a glimpse into his watercolour and observational techniques gave everyone a whole new perspective on urban sketching and inspired us all to give it a go and learn something new 💪🏻 It was truly a wholesome evening of sketching together, inspiring conversation and a total creative reset. We connected afterwards over cosy drinks at The Whatf ✨ Big thank you to Matt for sharing his craft and being a wonderful workshop host, and to the Drawn In team @brand.warrior @nathanhackett_illustrator @cathers_lou for making it happen 🫶🏻 Keep an eye out for our winter meetup happening soon with @dotto_studio! We hope to see you there 🧡✏️ Let’s keep drawing in the good times together! . . . #drawninmcr #creativecommunity #drawnin #illustrationmeetup #illustrationcommunity by @brand.warrior
Was marketing and how to promote your work part of the syllabus in your art, illustration, design or other creative degree? If you weren’t taught about marketing and how to promote your work as part of your degree, on reflection, would it have been helpful if you had? Share your experiences and thoughts.👇🏼 #illustrator #artist #maker #creativebusiness #creativebusinessowner #forgeyourownpath #creativehappylife #creativitymatters by @brand.warrior
So this is what Wednesday morning looked like, me in my happy place, inside Through the Trees, where I’m currently working with ten wonderful illustrators.✏️♥️✏️ This morning, I gave three clients video feedback on: ~ A press release for the World Illustration Awards @worldillustrationawards @theaoi ~ A newsletter with a shout-out for commissions ~ A brochure heading out to museums and galleries All created by illustrators who are currently working with me on a journey Through the Trees. On the programme, I help my clients master their brand and marketing, so it results in better-paid, better-fit commissions. But mastering your brand and figuring out a marketing system that actually works and suits your personality, is only part of the work. The other part is sharing your illustration offer with the world. In a way that stands out, cuts through in a sea of others, and lands with the people you actually want to commission you. That’s where having an experienced pair of eyes on your marketing really matters. After 25 years in the creative industries doing precisely this, I know that good feedback does more than elevate the press release, the newsletter or brochure in front of you. It changes the way you see and do your marketing from here on, which is why I offer this type of feedback as part of my work with clients. Better content. Better visibility. Better-fit, better-paid commissions. Through the Trees opens again soon. 🌲🏹🌲If you want my eyes on your marketing too, join the waitlist, link in bio.😊 #illustrator #artist #forgeyourownpath by @brand.warrior
This week’s mantra invites you to tap into your inner warrior and punk rocker spirit to nourish one of your creative ambitions into being. 🏹 The one that lights you up inside beyond belief. 🏹The one that others wouldn’t dare to nourish and grow. The world needs courageous creative people with ideas right now. Right now more than ever. This includes you. Write the word ‘nourish’ if you’re ready to rise for your creative ambitions.👇🏼 For you and the creative collective.💫 Nicola at Brand Warrior 🏹x🏹 by @brand.warrior
This summer, we’re bringing back the magic of drawing on location 🌞 Join us at Castlefield Bowl for an evening of urban sketching with the incredible sketchbook artist Matt Gibbons. As a self-taught illustrator who transitioned from the non-profit sector, @mattgibbonsstudio uses watercolour and ink to capture everyday life right on location. He’ll be sharing his go-to observational drawing techniques and showing us how he brings a location to life on the page. Expect a wholesome evening of canal-side sketching, great conversations, and a total creative reset. You’ll leave with fresh pages, new skills, and a community of new creative friends. 🌿 We’ll sail into the evening with drinks + chats at The Wharf afterwards! 🍻 📍 Castlefield Bowl, Manchester 📅 Thursday 20th August 2026 🕒 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM 🎒 Make sure you bring a sketchbook + your favourite drawing/painting tools! Matt specialises in ink and watercolour but feel free to bring a range of materials. 🎟️ Tickets are live now via the link in our bio. See you at the bowl! 👋 by @brand.warrior
Looking at the numbers in your art or illustration business is great as long as they’re adding up to lead to commissions and opportunities. And while understanding the numbers behind what you do can reveal patterns and valuable insights, it’s important to remember that numbers alone don’t guarantee the work. That’s because the market is changing and as it does, more followers, emails and blog posts will no longer guarantee more commissions. So what will? 💫Small, focused and intentional audience growth with the people your art or illustration can make the biggest difference to. 💫Brave and bold positioning that builds your reputation and gets your art or illustration known, because your story goes beyond your creative work. 💫Authentic and aligned approach to your marketing that amplifies your creative voice, adds value to your creative work and sets you apart in the landscape. I’m running a workshop for artists and illustrators soon to help you explore what these ideas in action might look like for you. Look out for the announcement on my grid…coming soon. by @brand.warrior

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