A Day in the Life: Balancing Creative Work and Client Projects as a Freelance Illustrator

As a creative freelancer, no two days ever look quite the same — and that’s part of the joy. From sketching fashion-forward guests at live brand events, to customising products in the studio, to replying to briefs for upcoming activations, each day blends art with agility.

In this post, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look into what a “typical” day looks like in my world — where creativity, client care, and quick hands come together.

☕️ Mornings: Sketches, Emails & Creative Grounding

Most days begin with coffee, light music, and a moment to reconnect with my creative centre. I try to carve out at least 15 minutes for loose sketching — no expectations, just movement. It helps me warm up before the demands of the day take over.

From there, it’s time to check emails and calendar notes. If I have an event approaching, I’ll review the brief, brand palette, and make sure all my supplies are in order — pens topped up, sleeves ready, paper prepared.

💼 Midday: Studio Time, Client Work & Project Planning

Midday is usually my most productive block. This is when I dive into the heart of my projects:

• Creating custom illustrations from reference images

• Designing branded paper for upcoming activations

• Adding personalisation to products like pouches, bottles, or packaging

• Recording a voiceover for a campaign reel or internal project

• Coordinating couriers and prepping outgoing artwork

There’s always a balance between creative output and business management. I might be toggling between finalising an illustration for a luxury skincare brand and responding to a new enquiry for a retail pop-up activation.

Every week, there’s something new.

🎨 Evenings: Events, Activation & Atmosphere

Evenings often mean event time — and that’s where the studio meets the spotlight. I’ll usually arrive early to set up and get a feel for the brand’s tone and space. Whether it’s a product launch, press preview, or in-store experience, there’s always a special energy in the room.

Guests step up one by one to be illustrated, or have their product personalised with a flourish of ink or gold — and in just a few minutes, they walk away with something bespoke. It’s fast-paced, focused, and so rewarding.

No matter how many events I do, that moment when someone sees their illustration or personalised piece for the first time — it never gets old.

💤 Wind Down & Reflection

After a full day, I wind down with quiet time — maybe a light stretch, a few notes in my journal, or revisiting sketches from the day. One of the best parts of this creative life is being able to make something from nothing every single day.

It’s not always easy to balance the business and the artistry, but with good systems (and good snacks), it’s possible to keep the joy in the work — and that’s what makes all the difference.

💡 Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into a day in the life of a freelance illustrator — or you’re planning a creative activation and want to bring something truly personal to your audience — I hope this gives you a little window into what I do and love.

Have an event or idea you’d like to bring to life? I’d love to hear from you.