Turn your hustle
into a business

Guides for illustrators by Toscanabanana

Photo: Chantal van den Berg - Banana patch: Jeroen Funke

Are you an illustrator or other creative wizard dreaming of making a living creating, but don’t know how to get started?


Maybe you’re in art school, asking yourself what’s next.
Or maybe you’re already in the grind, but the work feels meh, and every scroll through social media just makes you crave that freelance freedom.
Or hey, maybe you are freelancing but need that next-level spark, and the idea of promoting yourself online feels… exhausting.

Sound like you?
✦ You’re not sure how to launch your freelance game.
✦ You question if your ideas are “good enough.”
✦ You want to start something BIG but feel stuck and don’t know where to begin.

Get paid to create

You’re not alone.

I get it—because I’ve been there.

As an illustrator who graduated at the age of 21, I remember the stress, the questions, and the overwhelming uncertainty of starting out.

I’ve learned so much since then—with the help of many others, through trial and error, successes and mistakes—and I’ve turned those lessons into actionable advice.

These guides pay

themselves back.

Saving you DAYS of research by providing proven pricing templates,
real-world illustrator contracts and actionable advice.

So you can do more of what you love: create!

Tosca

MEET

HI! I’M TOSCA, A FULLTIME ILLUSTRATOR FROM THE NETHERLANDS.

When I graduated art academy in 2018 I was ready to take on the world, but totally lost where to start.

My one dream?
To create on my own terms.

Fast forward to today, and I’m living that dream!
I’m a full-time illustrator, working on a graphic novel, painting murals, hitting up art markets, teaching, and running my own freelance business - working with clients like Adobe, Amnesty International and Bumble.

exactly what you need

Why these guides are

These guides are built for illustrators like you: packed with practical insights, relatable experiences, and tools to help you thrive without the stress.

For the past seven years, I’ve been sharing my masterclass “Toscanabanana’s Guide to Freelancing and Finding Your Superpower” with aspiring illustrators.

Now, as someone who also teaches entrepreneurship to 4th-year illustration students at art academy, I see firsthand what emerging creatives want to know.

These guides provide a proven, hands-on approach to help you uncover your unique strengths, find your niche, and build a fulfilling creative career!

Choose your guide

All guides will be available in both English AND Dutch in the near future!

Super slimme subsidie gids

Alles wat je moet weten over subsidieland, van aanvraag tot uitbetaling!

Bespaar meer dan 10 uur aan onderzoek
Inclusief gehonoreerde aanvraag + begroting
Niet alleen theorie maar direct toepasbaar advies

Toscanabanana’s

PDF Download - In Dutch

  • Subsidies kunnen het verschil maken in jouw creatieve carrière—maar waar begin je? Deze gids loodst je stap voor stap door het proces, zodat jij jouw projecten kunt realiseren met de juiste financiering.

  • Ontdek welke subsidie het beste bij jouw project past en waar je subsidie voor kan aanvragen (meer dan je denkt!)

  • Inclusief een uitgebreide lijst van fondsen en waar je ze vindt.

  • Een subsidie aanvragen kost veel tijd, maar kan ook veel opleveren. Hoe maak je de keuze om een aanvraag te doen?

  • Schrijf een ijzersterke subsidieaanvraag aan de hand van Tosca’s stappenplan - met duidelijke voorbeelden en praktische tips.

  • Geen paniek! Leer hoe je financiering kunt vinden via crowdfunding, bedrijfspartners, en andere creatieve oplossingen.

  • Inclusief "Tosca's Tips" en de beste online tools voor jouw succes.

€15

finding your superpower

Don’t know what your ‘thing’ is yet? Or do you struggle to promote yourself or get the right clients?
This guide will help you unlock your unique creative superpower and launch your illustration career with confidence!

Toscanabanana’s guide to freelancing &

PDF download - in English

  • Master techniques to unleash endless inspiration

  • Pinpoint your unique space in the art world

  • Identify the strengths that set your work apart.

  • Learn how personal projects can drive professional growth

  • Craft a strategy to get noticed and attract clients.

  • Build genuine connections to expand your opportunities.

€24

Work/life balance

Life as a creative can feel overwhelming,
but it doesn’t have to. This guide is your blueprint for achieving harmony between work and life while staying mentally and physically healthy.

Toscanabanana’s guide to freelancing &

PDF download - In English

  • Define your ideal lifestyle and take actionable steps to achieve it.

  • Learn practical strategies to overcome creative slumps.

  • Prioritize your physical and mental health to sustain your creativity.

  • Discover the power of collaboration and support networks.

  • Master the art of setting boundaries to protect your energy.

  • Acknowledge your wins and fuel your motivation (and your body)

€19

financial stability.

Confidently pricing and protecting your illustrations.

Save DAYS of research!
Get confident in negotiating pricing with life-saving terms & conditions, proven pricing templates and the licencing cheat-sheet (real-world illustrator contract included).

Toscanabanana’s guide to freelancing &

PDF download - In English

  • Learn to calculate your hourly rate like a pro.

  • Master quoting, life-saving terms and conditions, and a licensing cheat sheet to protect your work, lifting up the whole illustration industry in the process.

  • Negotiation strategies and solutions for when clients won't reveal their budget, or when to walk away (client red flags).

  • Demystify taxes (omzetbelasting vs. inkomstenbelasting) and discover why a bookkeeper is not a luxury, but a necessity.

  • How to build a financial safety net for peace of mind.

  • Diversify your earnings beyond drawing.

  • Essential business tips for women, from breaking stereotypes to trusting your instincts (and never a man in a suit).

€29

What People Are Saying

“ These guides have opened my eyes to a whole new world of opportunities.
Before, I knew almost nothing about things like dealing with the tax office, or professionally managing my projects and branding. Thanks to Tosca’s lessons and practical tips, I now feel confident taking steps forward and treating my work as a serious career as an illustrator.

I’ve learned how to structure projects, prioritize effectively, and present my work professionally. Understanding that rejection isn’t the end of the world has helped me let go of fear and keep pushing forward. I’ve even created my own website and clearly defined what I want to stand for with my work.

Tosca’s expertise and knowledge of the art world are invaluable. She knows exactly what it takes to earn a full-time income as an illustrator. Her teaching style is fresh, inspiring, and judgment-free, which made me feel truly heard and gave me much more confidence in my work and my future.

These guides were incredibly valuable and helped me pursue my dreams without falling into the post-graduation trap of “not knowing what to do.”
With the knowledge I’ve gained, I hope to submit my first subsidy application soon and secure more creative projects.

These guides were exactly what I needed!

— Gabrielle, 4th year student

“ I’ve learned so much from Tosca, especially about finance and entrepreneurship. Through her approach, I’ve also gained the confidence to communicate more proactively with potential clients, something I used to find intimidating. The guides helped me define my personal brand and choosing what truly suits me.

The practical lessons on pricing, client communication, and setting up terms and conditions were incredibly helpful. Tosca even provided advice for maintaining mental health, which felt like private coaching and was extremely effective. I now feel much more confident about entering the art market and applying for subsidies because I understand the steps and challenges better.

Tosca’s teaching style is professional, approachable, and incredibly well-organized. I wouldn’t change a thing about the guides. It’s been a transformative experience that I’d highly recommend to any illustrator looking to take their career seriously.”

— Vela, 4th year student

“ I gained invaluable knowledge about running a business, from drafting terms and conditions and setting an hourly rate to applying for subsidies and building a financial buffer. For example, I didn’t even have terms and conditions before the course, and now I understand their importance and have them in place to prevent future issues.

Tosca also taught me how to structure my hourly rate, ensuring all my costs are covered. I also learned how to balance client work and passion projects to avoid burnout. This gave me clarity on how to prioritize my time effectively.

The guides pushed me to reflect on what makes me unique as a creator, encouraging me to start seeking assignments that align with my values and gradually build a fitting portfolio.

Landing my first paid assignment while working with the guides boosted my confidence significantly. While I still see room to grow in presenting my brand, I now trust that I can succeed if I continue applying Tosca’s strategies.

I’d recommend these guides 100%!

— Anouk, 4th year student

These downloadable guides are priced low on purpose.

Because I believe every illustrator deserves access to the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed, especially when you’re just starting out. By empowering young illustrators I hope to strengthen the entire field, making it more sustainable for everyone.

Bundle pack

Bundle pack

€87

€75

Get all four essential guides—Superpower, Work/Life balance, Financial Stability, and Subsidies (this one’s in Dutch)—for just €75 (instead of €87) and take your illustration career to the next level!

All guides will be available in both English AND Dutch in the near future!

Start crafting the creative career (and life!) you’ve always dreamed of

Whether you’re uncovering your unique superpower, building a sustainable freelance career, mastering work/life balance, or navigating finances and funding, these guides are designed to inspire and empower (starting) illustrators at every stage of their journey.

What I’ve learned from Tosca goes beyond freelancing; she’s also taught me to embrace my strength as a female entrepeneur.

Her insights have inspired me to stand firm in my value, set fair rates, and work on my own terms. I feel empowered and confident that I can achieve financial independence and thrive as a freelancer, despite the challenges women sometimes face in business.

✺ Frequently asked questions ✺

  • These guides are created for illustrators who are just starting out—whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or someone making a career shift—who are eager to transition into full-time illustration.

    And honestly, I created these guides for myself, to have all the information I need in one neat place, and to help create a more sustainable work field (that I will also benefit from) by guiding other illustrators through the same scary stuff I had to figure out. It shouldn’t be this hard! Let’s educate each other and grow together. ❤️

    Lastly, I created these guides out of spite, because an older male illustrator called me a ‘hobbyist’ once :D

  • The guides are digital PDF downloads, designed for easy access on any device. This format allows you to start learning right away, and you can print them out if you prefer a physical copy!

  • Absolutely! Since these guides are digital, I continuously update them to keep the information current and relevant.

    The guides are based on my personal experience from 7.5 years as a professional illustrator. They include tried-and-tested advice, insights from my network of fellow illustrators, guidance from the talent hub NEXT, input from various (business) coaches, and extensive research. For example, the licensing cheat sheet was created to solve a recurring issue I faced with clients unfamiliar with licensing.

  • The guides are designed to be read in about an hour, but they include tips and practices that you’ll need to integrate into your routines, which can take several weeks or even months to fully implement. You can always revisit the guides whenever you need a refresher or extra support along the way.

  • These guides combine years of personal experience, insights from my professional network, advice from business coaches and my business club of female entrepeneurs, and solutions to real-life problems I’ve faced as an illustrator—information you won’t find neatly packaged online. They’re designed to save you hours of searching by providing actionable, industry-specific tips and tools you can trust.

  • Paypal, credit cards and Apple Pay
    You can pay securely on my Squarespace website using major credit or debit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay. The exact options may vary depending on your location, but all transactions are safe and encrypted for your peace of mind.

    Ideal
    Unfortunately, Squarespace doesn’t offer Ideal as a payment method yet. If you want to use Ideal, simply contact me directly through email (toscavdweerden@hotmail.com) or Instagram @toscanabanana and I’ll send you a payment link.



    How it works
    You can purchase my guides directly through my Squarespace website. Simply visit the shop page, select the guide(s) you want, and proceed to checkout. Once your payment is complete, you’ll receive an email with a download link to your guide(s) in PDF format—ready to use right away!

  • These guides will soon be available in both English and Dutch, but for now:

    These guides are written in English, with the exception of the ‘Super Slimme Subsidie Gids’ which is written in Dutch because the information is specifically tailored to the Netherlands, including subsidies, funding options, and regulations that apply here. It's designed to provide the most relevant and useful guidance for illustrators based in the Netherlands.

  • Yes, you can always reach out to me with quick, specific questions via Instagram DMs or email, and I’ll do my best to get back to you. If I don't respond right away, try again in a week or so—I might just be busy.

    If you need more in-depth guidance, you can book an (online) consultation with me by emailing me. I’ll provide tailored advice just like I do for my students, ensuring you get the specific guidance you need. Pricing varies depending on the topic and whether you're a student or already working professionally (or team up with others to share in the knowledge!) I'm always happy to help you on your creative journey! 😊

Questions or remarks?

E-mail me!
Toscavdweerden@hotmail.com

Slide in my DM’s
@toscanabanana