iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 29/09/2026

Have you checked out my new book yet? If so, I’d love to know what you think. Also, leave a comment if you’d be interested in a physical version. I have a few spare copies from the initial print run and may do another run if there’s enough demand.

Photo of a book titled First Commission, Proper Business.

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 17/09/2026

To celebrate the launch of our new book, "First Commission, Proper Business", we're offering a special discount of 50% to the next 50 people who buy it. Use the code FIRST50 Buy now: shop.hireillo.com/l/proper-business

shop.hireillo.com

First Commission, Proper Business

First Commission, Proper Business is a practical handbook for illustrators, artists and visual creatives who want to understand the business side of their work.Getting your first paid commission is ex...

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 16/09/2026

How much should I charge? Do I need a contract? What rights am I giving the client? First Commission, Proper Business is a practical business handbook for illustrators, built around the questions we hear again and again at Hireillo. Buy it here (PDF version): shop.hireillo.com/l/proper-bus...

A hand holds a book in front of a black bookcase. The book is yellow with blue and red text that reads First Commission, Proper Business. Alongside the text is are illustrations of people engaged in art and business activities. One holds a giant pencil, another stands by a pound sign. There is a hand with a thumbs up by a contract, a person standing with an invoice, and at the bottom of the book cover is a desk and office area with a dog snoozing beneath it.

A hand holds a book in front of a black bookcase. The back of the book is shown. The cover is yellow and there is black text describing the book.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 16/09/2026

You probably didn’t notice, but I’ve been keeping my head down for the last few months finishing a book I started in 2024 and working on improvements to Hireillo. The book is finally finished 🙌 It’s a business handbook for artists. 😉 shop.hireillo.com/l/proper-bus...

Illustration of a person drawing with a giant pencil next to bold text reading First Commission, Proper Business on a yellow background. Subtext mentions practical guides for illustrators, artists, and visual creatives.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 22/07/2026

Just got my copy of BLAG (Issue 09), which includes an article I wrote about freelance contracts! 🙌 Really happy with how it turned out. There’s something particularly nice about seeing your words properly printed on a page. How cool is @davidcousens.bsky.social's artwork!

A hand holding a paintbrush is shown on a colourful magazine cover with the text BLAG and Summer 2026 / Issue 09. Next to it is an open magazine with an illustration and article about freelance contracts.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 30/03/2026

Excited to share I’ve written an article for an upcoming issue of BLAG magazine. Thanks to Sam for the invite. It covers contracts, including outputs, revisions, scope creep, and kill fees. Looking forward to artwork by @davidcousens.bsky.social ❤️ Sharing a few shots from Issue Six. More soon!

A hand holds a green and gold magazine titled "BLAG" against a light green wall.

A hand holds open a magazine on an article featuring photos of street art, a decorated chair, and text about an art exhibition. The background is a plain light green wall.

A hand holds open a magazine featuring an article titled "Seeing is Believing: Sign-Painting for the Silver Screen," with text and images of vintage-style painted signs.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 25/02/2026

I’ve just updated my Ultimate Artist Contract Template and I’m really proud of how much stronger it is now. If you work with clients, this will make your life easier. Find out more about the updates here: www.hireillo.com/blog/a-stron...

Screenshot of an online product page for "The Ultimate Artist Contract Template," featuring an illustration of two hands shaking.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 18/02/2026

I wrote a thing on using social media as an artist. It reads a bit like a conspiracy theory, but it's honestly not. Please give it a read and let me know what you think.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 16/02/2026

I wanted to chill for 10-minutes, so I thought I'd share a photo I took near Littlehampton a few months ago to encourage others to do the same. 🕊️

A rocky breakwater stretches into the sea under a cloudy sky, with sun rays breaking through. Pebbles cover the beach in the foreground. Black and white photo.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 09/02/2026

My laptop case was looking a little worse for wear, so I treated it to a shiny new one! Which means cracking out a fresh batch of stickers. 😃 How many artists do you recognise and can name?

A hand holds a laptop covered in colorful cartoon and Halloween-themed stickers, with a café interior blurred in the background.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 03/02/2026

I wrote this as a script for a video on why artists should have an identifiable illustration style, but who has time to record videos these days? So, I’ve turned it into a blog post instead. Check it out on Hireillo! www.hireillo.com/blog/one-sty...

hireillo.com

One Style to Connect Them All: Why You Need a Unified Visual Voice

Artwork by Torbjörn Källström Hello, Darren here. If you’re reading this, you’re probably an illustrator, designer, visual thinker, doodler-of-doodles, or some delightful mixture of all three. Today I...

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 29/01/2026

Talked comics, industry, and real life with @jasonpiperberg.bsky.social 👉 youtu.be/DJPJ5Z-g5WU Potential podcast: 300 DPI 🎙️ Thoughts?

Artist Jason Piperberg holds up two issues of the comic "Neighbor Necromancer," partially covering their face, with colourful art visible on the covers.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 23/01/2026

We made a podcast! 🎙️🙌

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 21/01/2026

It’s been a minute since my last update, so here are a couple of photos taken by second-year student Poppy Frith of me reviewing portfolios at last week’s Industry Ready event at DMU. It was great to be invited back again this year and to check out the students’ work.

A bearded man points at a computer screen, guiding a person with reddish hair, in a busy college studio setting.

Two people sit indoors at desks having a conversation, with other people working in the background.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 31/12/2025

I had a nice little chat with Tom Froses about the State of Illustration and the industry in general, if you fancy checking it out. 🙂

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 30/12/2025

Awesome illustrators to follow in 2026! 💥 go.bsky.app/5RwifQf

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 19/12/2025

This week, our creative director @darrendilieto.com joins @mrtomfroese.bsky.social on the Thoughts on Illustration podcast. Together, they have an honest conversation about confidence, pricing, late payments, mental health, and the quiet pressures that illustrators face today. youtu.be/UzMmz2o7y9g

youtu.be

The State of Illustration Report | Interview with Darren Di Lieto of Hireillo

YouTube video by Mr. Tom Froese

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 18/11/2025

We had a smashing time at Thought Bubble this year! 😃

A collage of photos from a comic convention, featuring people posing, comic books, colorful art prints, and a promotional event sign for Thought Bubble Comic Convention.

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 06/11/2025

Whether you are an artist or someone who hires artists, the 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 template is perfect for you! · Customize for various jobs · Reuse with future projects · Document the agreements between parties · Enjoy peace of mind knowing you are protected hireillo.gumroad.com/l/artist-con...

Two hands shake in front of a document titled "Ultimate Artist Contract Template," with art supplies illustrated above the text.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 06/10/2025

Over the weekend at Mil-D-Con, I watched actor Mark Williams (known for The Fast Show and Father Brown) participate in a Q&A session. He certainly doesn't suffer fools gladly, and it was delightful to watch. 🙂

Three-panel image of an older man with gray hair and glasses sitting on a blue armchair, holding a microphone, then standing and waving while leaving the stage.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 30/09/2025

Twelve 12x18-inch prints, and I'm out of matte black ink. They were fresh cartridges, yikes. 😱 ... Luckily, I have more ink arriving tomorrow.

Four colorful retro movie posters with bold illustrations and dramatic titles partially overlapping on a cutting matt.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 25/09/2025

It's my forty-third birthday, yay! 🥳 Time doesn't half fly. Shown is a fun little gift my fantastic partner got me. 🙂 Now it's time for cake and lots of it! 😋

A small figurine of a dog wearing a hat sits calmly in a burning room at a table with a mug. The base says "THIS IS FINE".

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 24/09/2025

I'm sorry for the radio silence. I've been swamped and have been working on a top-secret project, while also trying to go to the gym more regularly. Here's a photo I took during a recent trip to London.

Tall modern office and apartment buildings with glass and metal facades, photographed from below against a partly cloudy sky.

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 18/09/2025

We hope you're having a good week! Yesterday, we (re)published an interview with art director @tommykane.bsky.social from the 2007 offline archive. Tommy is a brilliant artist and a remarkable person; some might even call him a genius! Enjoy. 😁 🔗 www.hireillo.com/blog/tommy-k...

Black and white portrait of an older man with a beard and mustache, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a denim shirt, looking to the side.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 17/09/2025

I had an interesting chat with @mrtomfroese.bsky.social yesterday for his Thoughts on Illustration podcast. I'm looking forward to the episode, which I expect will be released sometime in October/November. 🎙️

Split image of two men: left man with a gray beard wearing a bird print shirt outdoors, right man with a short blond beard in a green plaid shirt holding a mug indoors.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 14/09/2025

Morgan is selling a few books I picked up on Kickstarter several years ago. They have been sitting on my shelf since then. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15732093...

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 09/09/2025

If you're an artist seeking a contract for your next commission, the Ultimate Artist Contract is perfect for you! 👉 shop.hireillo.com/l/artist-con... Buy once and get free lifetime updates! The lawyer-reviewed template includes terms that prohibit AI (LLM) training.

Two hands, one tattooed, shake against a background featuring art supplies and the text "Ultimate Artist Contract Template".

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 06/09/2025

Stop doom-scrolling and enjoy nature. Maybe touch some grass? There's always tomorrow for work and social media. I took this photo of the ducks and birds at Bradgate Park near Leicester.

A shallow pond surrounded by grass and trees with several ducks and birds near the water's edge on a cloudy day.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 02/09/2025

It's nice to see that the State of Illustration is getting some coverage. 😃 Thank you downthetubes.net (John Freeman) and @dailycartoonist.bsky.social (Alan Gardner)! 🖖 #stateofillustration #weareillustrators #illosurvey 1. bit.ly/dtt-state7 2. bit.ly/tdc-state7

Screenshot of a report excerpt discussing illustrator income, featuring a chart about artist job satisfaction and an illustration of two people holding up signs.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 28/08/2025

That's me done emailing everyone who said they wanted to be told about the latest State of Illustration report. If you didn't get an email from me, please reach out or subscribe to my Gumroad list. I think I've earned the right to take a five-minute break. I might go for a walk. 😁 shop.hireillo.com

A LEGO minifigure sits on the rim of a speckled blue cup with a light beverage inside, next to a calculator and a stack of pink sticky notes on a cluttered desk.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 26/08/2025

Over the bank holiday weekend, I worked with four clients, helping them with their budgets and finding the right illustrators. It's a lot of behind-the-scenes work, but it's rewarding to connect people and help them earn a living.

Screenshot of a website called "hire an illustrator," displaying a search bar, category filters, and illustrated portfolio thumbnails from various artists.

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Aimee Cozza Illustration @aimeecozza.com · 22/08/2025

This report is great because it shows you things like what other illustrators, on average, are being paid for work so you can set your prices appropriately and fairly, amongst a lot of other helpful metrics

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 20/08/2025

The latest State of Illustration report is finally available! 🙌 I will be promoting it properly over the next few weeks, but I wanted to give my followers on my personal pages a heads-up before I start doing that. You can find the report at shop.hireillo.com/l/state-7

Cartoon of a large yellow robot chasing two people with documents. Text at bottom reads "State of Illustration 7th Edition".

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 21/08/2025

The 2025 State of Illustration report is out! 👉👉👉 shop.hireillo.com/l/state-7 👈👈👈 The 7th Edition of the report was created using fully anonymised data from around 1,500 artists, illustrators and other professional creatives, who were surveyed over multiple years. ✊ #WeAreIllustrators

Two people run from a large, yellow, machine-like creature that is spitting out documents. Text reads "2025 Edition," "State of Illustration," and a shop website link.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 20/08/2025

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 18/08/2025

I thought I'd share a photo of my desk, as it's not looking horrendous at the moment. What does your workspace look like? Please feel free to post yours in my comments or tag it with #OnMyDesk via your account. 😉

Dual-monitor workspace with a tablet, keyboard, mouse, blue mouse pad, microphone, and several accessories on a wooden desk. One monitor displays creative software.

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Hireillo - Hire an Illustrator @hireillo.com · 15/08/2025

Ready to take your art career to new heights? I'm excited to offer additional portfolio review sessions this month! This is a fantastic opportunity to refine your work and become more business savvy. Join me at shop.hireillo.com/l/review-with-darren and take the next step toward success!

Testimonial from Jeanna Pappas praising Darren Di Lieto of Hireillo for effective portfolio review and art sales advice, with Jeanna's photo in a yellow frame at the bottom right.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 15/08/2025

I know I'm going to get blowback for this, but business has been tricky for the last few years, and I need to get paid if I'm going to survive. I'm about to release the new State of Illustration report, and I won't be making the payment optional, unlike in previous years.

A person sits on the ground, holding an ornate picture frame around their head, with a bowl containing coins in front of them.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 12/08/2025

I've been keeping my head down while working on the State of Illustration report, which I incidentally finished the first draft of this morning. 🙌 To prove that I don't spend all my time in my hobbit hole, here's a photo of a Jackdaw I took recently. Tchack, tchack!

A black bird with light eyes stands on a stone surface, looking directly at the camera, with a blurred grassy background.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 30/07/2025

I'd seen bad reviews for Mickey 17 since it was in the cinema. I finally got to watch it and quite enjoyed it. It's a good film IMO. youtu.be/tA1s65o_kYM

youtu.be

Mickey 17 | Official Trailer 2

YouTube video by Warner Bros.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 30/07/2025

The latest State of Illustration report is almost ready, hopefully in a week or two. My eyes and brain hate me! Seventeen pages done, twenty-five give or take, to go. If you'd like to be notified when it's finished, download the old version at stateofillustration.com

A computer screen displays a spreadsheet on the left and a digital document with colourful bar charts and percentages on the right.

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Reposted by Darren Di Lieto

Aimee Cozza Illustration @aimeecozza.com · 29/07/2025

I'm using this now and it's super easy to use, so I'm sending it again.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 29/07/2025

I took this photo at Bradgate Park and the expressions on the faces of this derpy Fallow Deer doe and fawn just about sums up my mood today. 😐

Two deer stand among green ferns and trees in a forest setting, partially framed by leaves and the trunk of a large tree.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 28/07/2025

I'm slowly chipping away at the 2025 State of Illustration report. I think my brain is slightly frazzled, but the project is coming together. Art by Beach. ❤️

Cartoon-style illustration of a person with a large moustache and beret using a hammer and chisel on a rectangular object.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 22/07/2025

Is your web hosting or web-creation platform becoming unaffordable? I've been providing inexpensive, reliable hosting and support for years and am always happy to help you with setting everything up. 💻🧔🏻 Send me a DM to find out more.

Text reads: Is your web hosting or web-creation platform becoming unaffordable? I've been providing inexpensive, reliable hosting and support for years and am always happy to help you with setting everything up. Send me a DM to find out more.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 19/07/2025

I perused the Small Press Day tables at Forbidden Planet Leicester this morning, picked up a few goodies, and had a good, but brief, catch-up with Drew Summers. There's always a ton of interesting art and comics on display on SPD, and I always want to buy everything! Indy comic artists are cool. 🖖

A handmade zine titled "Dune" with googly eyes on a sandworm, placed on top of a flyer titled "Kappa" and surrounded by cartoon stickers.

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Darren Di Lieto @darrendilieto.com · 19/07/2025

We took half a day off yesterday and decided to visit Charnwood Museum. Because, why not? It was fun. 😄

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