In conversation with Eliott Bulpett: freelance illustrator, muralist and AUB graduate

We sat down with Eliott to find out more about their experience since graduating from BA (Hons) Illustration in 2021 and what it’s like working as a freelance artist, including their top advice for getting into the industry.

I really enjoyed my time on the illustration course. The mix of theory and practical skills meant we got to try so many different things, and there was a lot of freedom to explore what we were interested in. We had a module that taught us 3D modelling, and I started building digital murals in these 3D worlds. It sparked an interest in how I could bring art to public spaces, and that lead to my tutors recommending me for a mural project in Bournemouth. I worked as a painting assistant with the amazing Zoe Power for a few days, learning as much as possible about bringing art to life at such a huge scale, and I am still so grateful for that opportunity. Without it, I don't know if I would have been as confident becoming a muralist myself.

The series of spot illustrations I made for OPOA Issue 5 were great fun too. I was paired with the perfect article that allowed me to make these really bright, textured drawings all about knitting and craft – two of my favourite hobbies. It was nice to be able to work with AUB again after graduating in 2021.

I studied graphic design before my illustration degree, and I think that still has a big impact on my art style today. It was where I learnt how to make vector illustrations and screens prints, which together created a love for playing with shapes and limited colour palettes.

The root of my art is wanting to make stuff that is fun and celebrates the joy in the world, so a lot of my personal art is inspired by my everyday life – the things I see and the things that make me smile. My mural work is very nature-inspired; there's a lot of room for creativity with plants and animals, and I can go really bold with the colours. Murals exist out there in the world alongside nature, and it's fun to reimagine it in a colourful and stylised way.

My mural work with Aylesbury Town Council began in 2023 when I replied to a call out. They were doing for volunteers to decorate utility boxes around town. I had already done one for Amersham council and I was really excited to do one in my own town. That ended up being just the beginning for my work with the council. I have now been commissioned multiple times to work on public art projects with them. This year, I have worked on three murals, collaborating with local schools and colleges to bring some colour into our area.

One of my top highlights was becoming a published illustrator in 2025 with the book Abbie's True Colours. The publisher, Owlet Press, came to me directly for the project, which was such a surprise and a great project to work on. I definitely didn't predict being able to see my work in bookshops just a few years after graduating. The book is about courage, love and pride, and tells Abbie's real story of how she created the Rainbow Shoelace Project. It was so much fun to create with all the bright colours and diverse characters.

I don't have any client projects on the horizon at the moment, which can feel a little scary, but past experience has taught me that you never know when the next big thing can land in your inbox. It's amazing how quickly you can go from having no work on, to juggling multiple projects. Ironically, between starting and finishing writing these answers, I got a small job from Hobbycraft painting some items for their Valentines Day photo shoot. I've worked with Hobbycraft for a few years and these are always projects I look forward to – especially when I get to see my work in stores and on their website.

I use these quieter times to work on personal projects, which are a big part of building a freelance career. Earlier in the year during a similar quiet patch, I started teaching myself After Effects to create character animations. The project got put on pause when my mural work got busy again, but I'm excited to get back into that series of animations. It's a whole new medium to explore and I think a lot of my best work comes from trying something new and getting to be a beginner at something again.

Freelance illustration is full of ups and downs, and you have to be prepared to be running an entire business – it's not just getting to draw all the time. It does, however, come with a lot of freedom and the ability to create a lot of opportunities for yourself. There can be a lot of uncertainty, but there’s also no limit to the work you can get. If your portfolio is the right fit for a client, it doesn't matter to them if you're a new graduate or someone with years of experience.

Fill your portfolio with the type of work you want to get hired for, not just every project you've ever done. Portfolios are definitely a place where quality is more important than quantity, so regularly remove things that don't show off your best work.

Collaborate with other creatives when you can. You will always learn things from working with others, it makes freelancing a little less lonely, and you can create some really cool stuff you wouldn't be able to do alone. Don't think of other creatives as your competition – instead, recommend each other for jobs, share that useful resource you found, and make a pitch for a project together! It’s way more fun that trying to do everything solo.