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I also noticed this section which talks about working conditions and salaries, I found it interesting to read as i previously didn't realise that there were 'guideline' payments for commissions. Also it gives an honest report of an illustrator's real problem: sustaining a reasonable amount of work to live off.

Illustrator: Salary and conditions

• Most illustrators work freelance, so salary figures are hard to estimate. Advice about rates of pay can be found on the Association of Illustrators (AOI) website. The a-n The Artists Information Company website has an interactive artist's toolkit which helps artists calculate how to price their work in order to generate a reasonable income. It is suggested that it is sensible for artists to aim at a similar income to teachers.
• Sample rates of pay for editorial work are: half a page: £250 - £600; one page: £350 - £800; cover: £500 - £3,000. Rates vary depending on the type of newspaper or magazine and whether the work is in black and white or colour. Publishing rates are £300 - £2,000 for a book cover.
• Advertising can pay well: £1,500 - £3,500 for a full page in a magazine; £2,000 - £10,000 for a billboard poster.
• In merchandising, a flat rate may be paid (e.g. £150 - £500 for greetings cards) with royalty payments being agreed in addition (all rates of pay collected Dec 08 from the AOI Report: Illustration Fees and Standards of Pricing 2007, which is based on 2005 data).
• Design studios occasionally employ illustrators on a permanent basis, but the majority of illustrators are freelance, working from home or a small studio and negotiating sales via an agent or directly with clients.
• Freelance work, usually paid per illustration, tends to be more lucrative than working for an employer, but agents may take up to 40% commission. Some illustrators also sell work through 'stock houses' who may take a substantial commission.
• Luck plays a part. Some illustrators soon discover a market for their talents and so receive plentiful commissions; others may have many rejections before securing work. Workloads may fluctuate, from none to too much.
• Pay may be low and irregular, according to the state of the market. Earnings during the first years may be patchy and many illustrators take part-time jobs.
• There are currently more women than men working in this area.
• Jobs are available in most areas but proximity to a city is an advantage, especially for illustrators without an agent.
• Keeping to deadlines is imperative to maintain a good reputation, and this may sometimes result in working long hours during weekends or evenings to deliver a brief.
• There will sometimes be travel within a working day to meet clients, but absence from home at night and overseas work or travel are uncommon.