Most illustration work is freelance not FT but it is possible to find FT staff positions.
Hand skills are very important, but I would highly suggest learning Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator as it will greatly broaden the job choices you will have.

Even painting can be a "full-time freelance" gig. Honestly throughout my career I wish I could have made freelancing work---working for yourself gives you such freedom it is just tricky to keep a steady income flowing in and healthcare benefits are a challenge. All is do-able however.

If you can take a course or workshop on entrepreneurship I highly recommend it. It goes hand in hand with successful freelancing. I took the easy way out and have been staff at different big companies but they can be just as soul sucking as they sound.

Diversifying your creative talents will help. Keep up your drawing and painting but definitely hone whatever digital skills you can-- web design, coding, crafts, etsy shop you name it and you will have more skills to sell.

Adobe tv has lots of free tutorials. Best of luck! Please feel free to ask anything! It's the one thing I'm great at.