We are so proud of our wonderful Make Art That Sells alumni and are pleased to showcase a series of gorgeous student work that was produced in our first session of Illustrating Children’s Books
***
I really liked being able to tie everything that I learned into the cover in week 5. For a long time, I have been seeking ways to bring more of my painting and drawing into my illustration work and by week five, I felt I was on to something.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
Week five also drove me to revisit the illustrations I have worked on for the last several months for a story I wrote called Greta and the Angels. Previous to the course, I believed those illustrations to be complete, but finding my groove in the course motivated me to reassess them with a more critical eye and then find new joy in revising that book, especially in my ability to incorporate looser drawing and painting into my digital work.
What did you discover about yourself?
I have been teaching for over twenty years and it was important for me to be reminded of how vulnerable it feels to have my work critiqued by others. I also discovered that I needed to spend more time working on different gestures and poses, especially when it comes to varied expressions, which is one of the main things I am reworking in my own stories.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
This is a fast paced, positive course that will challenge you to go outside of your comfort zone. There are multiple sketchbook prompts and mini tutorials that help to establish a comfortable and welcoming vibe, along with a community of support.
See more work here: Website | Instagram
***
I have chosen this image as I think this was about the time in the class that a lot of aha moments happened… all the things we were told and had learnt over the last 4 weeks came together. I wanted it to feel like Ada was soaring high above the trees and her exasperated mother below yelling at her anxiously. I found this week was a lot of fun where we could really start to let rip and pull everything together.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
I don’t think you could help BUT grow with this course…. the content was overflowing with so much information and insight and the support from my fellow students was amazing. I have learnt that getting to know your character is very important…
What did you discover about yourself?
I surprised myself, I look at what I have created and can’t believe I did them!!!
How would you describe the course to a friend?
If you want to get into illustrating Children’s books then this is the GO TO course! Such a wealth of information, insight and support!
See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook
***
This was one of my favourite weeks as I really got to know my leading characters. I was playing, thinking of all the adventures Owl and cat would get up to, and it was a ball!
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
I’ve been working in the children’s book industry for ten years (from sales and marketing jobs to more recently illustrating). It’s a big, amazing and passion filled industry and I really wanted to push my own experience in a new direction and work harder on my illustration skills.
What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered I don’t need to worry about finding my style so much as it is there- by seeing all the amazing art other students created I realised my work is my own unique take – with my own stamp on it.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
It’s an immersive, very intense and practical course for anyone wanting to know the ins and outs of the wonderful world of children’s book illustration.
See more work here: Website | Instagram
***
Inga Knopp-Kilpert | frauknopp.de illustrationen
The entry shows a few poses and emotions of my main characters. I love this illustration because i had much fun developing the emotions and further on the poses, thanks to all the advices that i learnt during the ICB1 course.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
I understood how to develop the characters and get them alive.
What did you discover about yourself?
That I can handle a lot of work in a short time.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
Its worth it!
See more work here: Website | Instagram
***
I’m most proud of my work from week 4, Environments. Initially I was nervous about doing environments, but by the time we reached week 4 I felt really prepared. Lilla and Zoe gave me the confidence to push myself and I’m so pleased with the outcome!
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
The course really helped me see the big picture. It broke everything down into manageable steps and has really given me a clear vision of the path I need to take going forward.
What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered that I can do this!
How would you describe the course to a friend?
Lilla and Zoe give you all the tools you need to break into the children’s book industry. You will learn what art directors, children and parents are looking for and you will walk away with an amazing pitch and the knowledge and confidence to make it happen.
See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook
***
Before taking this class, I didn’t know that I could draw environments. To be honest, I was always intimidated by them and tended to draw very simple and muted backgrounds, if at all. However, in just the one week allotted to learning how to draw environments, I learned an incredible amount every day, baby-step by baby-step. By the time the assignment to draw a full-on background was released, I felt up to the challenge and gave it 100%. In the end, I am very pleased with the results of my previously undiscovered abilities and feel totally empowered moving forward.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
I cannot even tell you how incredibly helpful your class was to me although I will try. The Illustrating Children’s Book course not only gave me an online community in which I can pose my many questions to other artists, but I learned more than I ever have in just the month that this course took place. The resources, the videos, the exercises, the assignments… all of these materials were masterfully paced and well-thought out that after the class ended, I immediately signed-up for MATS A & B and the Bootcamp as well. Before this class, I blindly accepted that I would not ever be an illustrator because that is what the naysayers around kept repeating to me. After the class, I now KNOW that I can make a career out of my passion for art. I grew from a mildly-serious artist to madly-serious artist who is on fire to attain her goal of making art her career. Absolutely on fire. I am hooked and I can see myself re-taking these classes once they are over.
What did you discover about yourself?
I learned an insane amount about myself during this class. First, with the smallest of baby-steps, I can learn how to do anything… any program, any business, any style of art… anything. Second, with enough dedication, experimentation, time purposefully carved-out and a little outside help, I can make the art I dream of. Third and most importantly, I now know that my future in art CAN be a lucrative career and not just a stifled passion, always to take the backseat no matter how badly I wish it were otherwise… I have the future I’ve always dreamed of right ahead of me, but this time around, I have a map to get there. That is HUGE for someone who has always heard that it was impossible to now know it is possible…
How would you describe the course to a friend?
If you have the desire to learn a lot in a short amount of time, take this course. It is eye-opening, both about yourself as well as the technical side of things. I can’t recommend any art course more than this.
See more work here: Website | Facebook
***
In five weeks, you’ll create a brilliant children’s book pitch to help you land your dream children’s book gig. You’ll get over 20 videos, weekly assignments, live weekly video reviews, interviews with publishers and illustrators and more. Co-taught by top art agent Lilla Rogers and highly-respected children’s book art director Zoe Tucker.
Spaces are limited! Don’t miss out. REGISTER HERE
