The Self-taught Illustrator

In this episode of The Self-Taught Illustrator Podcast, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges for beginner and self-taught artists: How to Find Your Illustration Style.

If you’ve been struggling to discover a style that feels authentically yours, this episode is here to help! I’ll share the essential basics every illustrator needs to know, walk you through my personal journey to finding my style, and introduce my step-by-step formula for uncovering your unique artistic voice.

This episode is packed with actionable tips and creative exercises to help you:

• Break down the misconceptions about “style”
• Explore what makes your art unique
• Build a portfolio that stands out

Whether you’re just starting or refining your style in 2025, this episode will guide you every step of the way.

Follow the podcast for more illustration tips, advice, and inspiration to help you grow as a self-taught illustrator! 🎨

#illustrationstyle #selftaughtartist #arttips #beginnerillustrators #findyourstyle #creativejourney

In this episode we go into a deep dive into the different tools available to us as illustrators, and which ones we should be using in our own practices!

Episode Links:

Register here for Adobe MAX 2023

Check out my in-person session!

Illustrator Bootcamp Waitlist

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

Listener of the Week @BexCreations

Social Links:
Website
IG
TikTok
Youtube
Pinterest

In episode 25 of the Self-taught Illustrator Podcast, we talk about getting prepared and setting goals for 2023!
Personal Style Masterclass:

SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE3ka-r13giiDtct-3jcL6w
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

In episode 24 of the Self-taught Illustrator Podcast, I talk through various strategies to find motivation and keep motivated throughout your illustration career.
Personal Style Masterclass:
(No longer available)
SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE3ka-r13giiDtct-3jcL6w
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

Student Spotlight:
Glen DeGuzman AKA @_sun_dragon_tattoo_:
https://www.instagram.com/_sun_dragon_tattoo_/?hl=en

In this episode, I break down the biggest pitfalls that I see illustrators encounter at various stages in their illustration journeys.
My AdobeMax Session:
https://www.adobe.com/max/2022/sessions/na-become-a-selftaught-illustrator-design-concept-s309.html
Personal Style Masterclass:
(No longer available)
SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE3ka-r13giiDtct-3jcL6w
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

In this episode, I break down the limiting beliefs around age, and how old is too old when it comes to creating a career in illustration.

My Adobe Live Sessions:
Day 1: https://www.behance.net/live/videos/15191/Vector-Character-Art-with-Natasha-Polozenko-1-of-2
Day 2: https://www.behance.net/live/videos/15195/Vector-Character-Art-with-Natasha-Polozenko-2-of-2


SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE3ka-r13giiDtct-3jcL6w
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

In this episode, I walk through the various motivators that lead people to buy art and illustrations, to help you strategically approach the way that you sell.

Survey referenced:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/887848/top-motivations-for-art-buyers-when-buying-art/

SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE3ka-r13giiDtct-3jcL6w
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

In this episode, we go through the steps that you need to take if you want to start doing freelance illustration work.

SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE3ka-r13giiDtct-3jcL6w
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

In this episode, we dive into the topic of Imposter Syndrome in the art and illustration world. 

SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

In this episode, I talk about the differences as well as the pros and cons that exist for both the Professional Illustrator and the Artist Illustrator

SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

In this episode, I go through the exact planning and goal-setting tactics that I have been using over the past few years to help me reach my creative business goals! 

SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

In this episode I deep-dive into the crypto world, exploring what NFTs are, and how we as illustrators can create and sell them. Drawing from my own experience and knowledge I walk through all the platforms and services that I use when it comes to minting and selling my Illustrations as NFTs.

LINKS:  
Project File Downloads:  https://nataszko.com/grainy-shading-tutorial#project-file-download.0
Buy my Grainy Brush:  https://nataszko.com/grainy-shading-tutorial#get-my-brush.0
Coinbase Sign-Up: https://www.coinbase.com/join/poloze_i
Makersplace Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewnu8ch_KjAbKPnA5OjQSP4a3k7ihpCmhtthmFgfGK4dUStg/viewform

MY NFT PLATFORM PROFILES:
Makersplace: https://makersplace.com/natashapolozenko/
OpenSea: https://opensea.io/nataszko
SolSea: https://solsea.io/nft/7gBTZJyKfKUGw5ckngUPkm7KSvAWZksc3AYF88f5pB7o

SOCIALS:  
Website: https://nataszko.com​​​​
IG: https://instagram.com/nataszko​​​​
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko?​
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nataszko/

One of the biggest hurdles for self-taught illustrators

COACHING APPLICATION:
https://natasha293360.typeform.com/to/m0P0Hhgi

ILLUSTRATION STYLE ACADEMY COURSE:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/illustration-style-academy 

IG:
https://www.instagram.com/nataszko/

TIKTOK:
https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko

WEBSITE:
https://nataszko.com/

Should Illustrators have a TikTok? In this episode, we dig into the benefits of TikTok for your creative practice.

COACHING APPLICATION:
https://natasha293360.typeform.com/to/m0P0Hhgi

ILLUSTRATION STYLE ACADEMY COURSE:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/illustration-style-academy 

FREE MASTERCLASS:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/ISA-Webinar-Signup

IG:
https://www.instagram.com/nataszko/

TIKTOK:
https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko

WEBSITE:
https://nataszko.com/

Addressing a question that a lot of self-taught illustrators have when they are first starting out "Do I have what it takes to make it as an illustrator?"

COACHING APPLICATION:
https://natasha293360.typeform.com/to/m0P0Hhgi

ILLUSTRATION STYLE ACADEMY COURSE:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/illustration-style-academy 

FREE MASTERCLASS:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/ISA-Webinar-Signup

IG:
https://www.instagram.com/nataszko/

TIKTOK:
https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko

WEBSITE:
https://nataszko.com/

Chatting all things color, do you need a color palette? and how do you find the right one for you?

COACHING APPLICATION:
https://natasha293360.typeform.com/to/m0P0Hhgi

ILLUSTRATION STYLE ACADEMY COURSE:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/illustration-style-academy 

FREE MASTERCLASS:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/ISA-Webinar-Signup

IG:
https://www.instagram.com/nataszko/

TIKTOK:
https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko

WEBSITE:
https://nataszko.com/

How to decide which platforms you should be using to establish and grow your illustration practice. 

COACHING APPLICATION:
https://natasha293360.typeform.com/to/m0P0Hhgi

ILLUSTRATION STYLE ACADEMY COURSE:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/illustration-style-academy 

FREE MASTERCLASS:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/ISA-Webinar-Signup

IG:
https://www.instagram.com/nataszko/

TIKTOK:
https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko

WEBSITE:
https://nataszko.com/

Let's talk all things mediums and how to know which one is right for you!

COACHING APPLICATION:
https://natasha293360.typeform.com/to/m0P0Hhgi

ILLUSTRATION STYLE ACADEMY COURSE:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/illustration-style-academy 

FREE MASTERCLASS:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/ISA-Webinar-Signup

IG:
https://www.instagram.com/nataszko/

TIKTOK:
https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko

WEBSITE:
https://nataszko.com/

In this episode I dispel a huge myth that is keeping a lot of illustrators and creatives stuck.

COACHING APPLICATION:
https://natasha293360.typeform.com/to/m0P0Hhgi

ILLUSTRATION STYLE ACADEMY COURSE:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/illustration-style-academy 

FREE MASTERCLASS:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/ISA-Webinar-Signup

IG:
https://www.instagram.com/nataszko/

TIKTOK:
https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko

WEBSITE:
https://nataszko.com/

In this episode I dispel a huge myth that is keeping a lot of illustrators and creatives stuck.

FREE MASTERCLASS:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/ISA-Webinar-Signup

ILLUSTRATION STYLE ACADEMY COURSE:
https://nataszko.mykajabi.com/illustration-style-academy 

IG:
https://www.instagram.com/nataszko/

TIKTOK:
https://www.tiktok.com/@nataszko

WEBSITE:
https://nataszko.com/