I've been a graphic designer for over 30 years, but have re-discovered illustration in the last ten years or so. In many ways, I'm still a baby illustrator, but I've been lucky to find clients willing to indulge my interests, and I've even won them some awards for illustration. That always helps.
I use a combination of software apps for my illustration work, but mostly I work in Corel Painter on a Wacom Cintiq. Even though my tools are now primarily electronic, I have a background in old-school media, so I try to maintain a traditional methodology. That is, I prefer to start with a sketch and work from there just like I would if painting in oils.
You can see more of my illustration work at sigmadog.com.
Thanks you for your interest!