We recently connected with Jayesh Phadnis and have shared our conversation below.

Jayesh, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

It definitely wasn’t smooth from day one. Dropping out of a conventional path like engineering comes with a lot of societal pressure, skepticism, and self-doubt. The gaps in academics and the uncertainty of making a stable income in the arts make it even tougher. But what kept me going was my deep-rooted love for art, movies and games. I wasn’t interested in anything else, and I knew I had to make this work.

Since I didn’t have formal contacts or a roadmap, I started learning on my own—watching tutorials, analyzing movies and games, and studying various art styles and finding the academic path all on my own. The internet became my greatest teacher. Also, I began sharing my work on social media, art communities, and portfolio websites. This was a game-changer because it helped me get noticed by people in the industry.

My first source of income came from freelance commissions. I took on various projects—fanart, character designs, and even small gigs in the gaming and comic book space. These weren’t always well-paying, but they helped build credibility.

Without contacts, I had to build my own network from scratch. I reached out to artists, joined art communities, participated in contests, and eventually started getting noticed by people in the industry. This led to better-paying gigs and long-term collaborations.

Looking back, a few things could have made the journey a little smoother:

Starting networking earlier – Building connections sooner could have opened doors faster.

Focusing on a niche earlier – Specializing in a specific style or industry (like gaming or comics) might have helped me establish myself quicker.

Investing in mentorship – Learning from professionals who had already made it in the industry would have saved me years of trial and error.

Jayesh, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Jayesh, a concept artist and a passionate illustrator specializing in fanart and comic-style artwork. My journey into the creative industry was anything but conventional. I originally pursued engineering but quickly realized that my true passion lay in art—something I had loved since childhood. Despite the challenges, I took the leap, honed my skills, and built a career doing what I love.

Movies, games, and comics have always fascinated me with their larger-than-life storytelling, and that influence is evident in my work. I didn’t have industry connections when I started, so I had to carve my own path—learning, experimenting, and putting my art out into the world. Eventually, my work started gaining traction, leading me to incredible collaborations and, ultimately, my role as a concept artist.

My work revolves around creating highly stylized, comic-inspired illustrations. Whether it’s fanart, original concepts, or promotional collaborations, I bring characters and stories to life in a way that blends dynamic energy with bold visuals.

I’ve been fortunate to work with major brands like Coca-Cola, KFC, Vivo IPL, Bummer, and Nongshim, helping them craft visually engaging content that resonates with audiences. From brand collaborations to gaming concepts, my goal is always to create artwork that stands out, tells a story, and evokes a sense of excitement.

What makes my work unique is my exclusive focus on illustrated, comic-style content. Whether it’s a fanart piece or a brand collaboration, I always approach it with a distinct visual storytelling style—bold linework, expressive characters, and dynamic compositions. Instead of traditional digital marketing assets, I create content that feels like it belongs in a graphic novel, making it immersive and engaging.

For fellow artists & friends: If you love bold, comic-styled art and storytelling, my work is for you. I create illustrations that bring characters and concepts to life in a fresh, energetic way.

For brands & clients: If you’re looking for unique, illustrated content that stands out from generic digital promotions, I specialize in making eye-catching, story-driven visuals that captivate audiences.

I’m always open to exciting new projects and collaborations, so whether you’re a fan, a fellow creator, or a brand looking to explore creative storytelling, I’d love to connect! Reach me out on Instagram @jayeshphadnis

How did you build your audience on social media?

Haha, where do I begin with? Back when I was in engineering, I had absolutely no interest in the lectures. Instead, I spent my time sketching—literally anything that caught my eye. If I was eating a pack of Oreo on the last bench, I’d draw that! My friends saw my sketches and suggested that I start posting them on Instagram.

At the time, Instagram was still new, and I wasn’t sure if artwork would be well-received there. The platform seemed dominated by celebrities posting selfies and influencers showing off their ultra-high-fashion lifestyles—something that felt completely out of reach. I had no idea if my simple sketches would fit in. But I decided to give it a shot.

I started posting my art, and slowly, people began noticing. I was noticed by some of the big people in the entertainment industry such as Ranveer Singh, Sonu Sood, Kunal Khemu, Siddhant Chaturvedi, as well as some of the brilliant people in the stand-up comedy scene such as Tanmay Bhat, Rohan Joshi, Sahil Shah and the well known podcast titled The Internet Said So starring Varun Thakur, Kartik Srivastava, Neville Shah and Aadar Malik. I even gifted them the artwork I made for their show when I attended it and they were absolutely mesmerised by the gesture! It wasn’t an overnight success, and to be honest, even now, I wouldn’t call myself a social media expert. I’m still growing, still learning.

I’m not sure I’m the right person to give advice on social media growth, considering I’m still at around 2,000 followers on Instagram. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: believe in yourself and give it your 100%.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The simplest and most effective thing one can do to support artists is to share their art—post it on your story, share it in your groups, and send it to your friends! Small steps like these go a much longer way than you can imagine. For independent artists, visibility is everything, and every share helps their work reach more people, potentially leading to opportunities that can shape their careers.

I know the creative industry—especially on platforms like Instagram—is highly competitive. It’s a sea of brilliant creators, and standing out is incredibly tough. But hey, it’s not impossible! With the right support system, a strong creative community, and people who genuinely uplift artists, it becomes a lot more achievable.

A thriving creative ecosystem isn’t just about individual artists working in isolation—it’s about a community that supports, uplifts, and grows together. The more we appreciate and amplify creative voices, the more vibrant and innovative our artistic world becomes!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.behance.net/jayeshphadnis
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayeshphadnis
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayeshphadnis
• Other: https://www.artstation.com/jayeshphadnis