本书讲述了作为自由撰稿人和插画家的作者寺田克也，在30年的职业生涯中如何思考、如何创作、如何坚守自己这份事业的过程。在本书中，

作者真诚讲述自己在绘画时种种思考方式及做法，列举了丰富的插画实例，总结了提高技艺的方法和诀窍，

为想要以插画作为职业的人士带来参考价值和灵感。   

正式访谈前的闲聊······························· 6

01 电车大叔的肖像画· ···························· 10

02 画画为什么那么麻烦呢· ························· 24

03 不要阻碍想象力······························ 42

04 老爷爷的立体模型· ···························· 70

05 什么是美人································· 92

06 魔法道具和立刻学会的魔咒· ······················· 96

07 树立起自己的招牌· ····························· 124

08 现场画幅工作用的画（画稿篇）· ······················· 142

09 现场画幅工作用的画（上色篇）· ······················· 164

10 观察画画和讲述································ 174

11 现场画画· ·································· 196

12 享受画画· ··································202

13 以漫画和插画畅谈人生· ···························· 210

14 卖画· ···································· 236

15 作为画家能做的事· ······························ 258

16 以画画维持生计································ 274

17 运气很重要··································302