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Illustrating Children’s Books Student Showcase part 5 {Oct 2016 class}

studentshowcase

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. Here is part 5 in the showcase series.

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Deborah Melmon Illustration

DEBORAH_MELMON_illustrating childrens books make art that sells

Cover for Ada Lovelace story. This was one of my favorite weeks because it included hand-written type and combined all that we had learned in previous weeks to come up with one image that best summarized the story.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?

Even though I am already a children’s book illustrator, the course helped me to really focus on character development and experiment with a story that was out of the range of what I normally do. Gave me confidence to push my style and think outside of the box. The course also gave me new energy for my illustration career.

What did you discover about yourself?

I discovered that I still have lots to learn which is very exciting to me and that taking a break from client work and experimenting with new ideas is something that I need to do on a regular basis. I’m learning to temper my frustration levels and just go with the process of creating art, which this course is so good at allowing you to do.

How would you describe the course to a friend?

I would describe this course as a really good overview of all that it takes to be a children’s book illustrator, an intensive series of assignments to challenge your creativity in this field and understand the basic components of character and story development, and fabulous interviews and insider information from an art director who really knows her stuff. And, of course, Lilla’s positive energy, knowledge and insight. I think the energy of Zoe and Lilla, together, is what really made this course work for me.

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Mateja Lukežič – Mima Illustration

Mateja_Lukezic illustrating childrens books make art that sells

Mateja Profile photoIllustration was made for the story (poem) The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear. I challenged myself by using a different color pallete as I used to. I wanted to update the story to our time, as it is an very old poem, and add a little bit humor between characters. The ‘environment week’ was my favorite, because it was the most challenging for me. I drew so many different sketches of scenes and it was hard to decided which one would be the best for final illustration. At the end I was very happy with the result. It was the most hard and in the end a rewarding week, which gave me strength to work further.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?

I think the most important for me is that I have learned trought the class how to read a story, to see it wider, beyond the words and then make an amazing illustrations. How from the beginning to the end build a great charaters and enviroment by using the proper colors, technique and still be unique. That every sketch you made will be better from previous and more you will draw better you will be.

What did you discover about yourself?

I discovered that I can do anything I want if I’m willing to work for it, which I really am. And that sometimes is better to say ‘no’ to a project you don’t like and which will take you away from your goal and from work you really want. Instead of that dedicate to work which will bring you to a path you want to be.

How would you describe the course to a friend?

You will get full of inside information about the business from an agent and successful illustrators which are pure gold. How, where and to whom represent yourself as an illustrator. You will learn how to develop characters, environment based on a book which will take your work on a next level. You will be part of a great community of people who will also help you to grow. After the course you will have everything you need for illustrating Children’s books.

See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Anna Berger

Anna-Berger illustrating childrens books make art that sells

anna berger profilbild-fbThis is my week 4 submission from the spread of Ada Lovelace. The spread is from the first pages of the story when Ada was born. I liked to show a windy London December day. And I made Ada come with the stork because I thought the Stork is kind of representing the historical time and start of a tale. This week was the most challenging for me. I need to place my characters in an environment! ahh scary. I loved doing the research from the historical time and it reminded me from when I worked in the theater, it is kind of similar thinking of an environment in a book and making environment to the theaters, maybe that was why I liked this week so much. The story was really shaped and the style I was after was more clear. Well ,l I loved every week from the beginning.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?

I have grown in developing my caracters, to get time to let to know them and how. I also grown in how to be more focused on a longer project as we work with the same script all 5 weeks.

What did you discover about yourself?

That I can be more focused than I thought.

How would you describe the course to a friend?

Best course ever! I learned how to work on all the characters I draw to make them fit into stories. I feel much more confident in how to present my work to art directors and editors now. This is alot of hard work but I feel much more prepared now. And I now know I love to work in this market.

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Sharon Montgomery

SHARON_MONTGOMERY illustrating childrens books make art that sells

SHARON_MONTGOMERY_BIO_PIC_aThis image is from Week 4 Environment. After several weeks of character development and poses, week four was when it all came together and our characters could come to life in the environment we created for them. It was the most intense week, as making a double page spread is a ton of work, but it was the most rewarding for me as I suddenly saw how the whole book could come together like magic.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?

This course really pushed you to develop my illustration skills further using characters and emotions.

What did you discover about yourself?

I discovered that I am able to tackle a large project such as a book by breaking it down into manageable pieces. Zoe and Lilla offered such helpful advice for all the students along the way.

How would you describe the course to a friend?

I would tell anyone interested in illustrating Children’s books to take this course. It’s the best one out there and jam-packed with information. You will have mad respect for professional book illustrators after this, I promise!

See ore work here: Website |  Instagram | Facebook

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Kirsti Davidson

kirsti davidson illustrating childrens books make art that sells

This was my double page spread for the assignment Environments. I had toyed with all sorts of different landscape options, a city allotment, a farm and a farmers market. But after struggling on for the whole week and most of the day before I decided to do it from the turnips point of view. with the frustrated characters staring down at him. I had had this sketch floating about and really wanted to use it, initially I was thinking of using it for the cover but thought it would be a more dynamic read as a double page spread.

After submitting I thought I’d completed missed the point and hadn’t done enough regarding the environment. I had chosen to use muted colours so the characters would really stand out but in hind sight would have liked to added a bit more to the background but as I was so close to the deadline, I had to just submit what I had!

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?

Enormously! I haven’t drawn and doodled so much in ages and it was really fun. It really help build confidence and try new thing and not to be scared of getting it wrong!

What did you discover about yourself?

That I work best under pressure! Having mini and a weekly assignments really helped me to focus.

How would you describe the course to a friend?

That this is THE course to do if you’re serious about illustrating for children. The amount of content & advice was amazing, in so much as it felt like a Post Grad / MA course in illustration to me. The review of assignments each week was like being with a great supportive bunch of college classmates and your own tutors!

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Devon Holzwarth

DEVON_HOLZWARTH illustrating childrens books make art that sells

 

Devon Holzwarth Portrait_Studio_Fall2016_miniThis assignment was from week 5 – the cover. At this point I really knew who my Ada Lovelace character and her sidekick were and wanted to show the connection between them. I drew dozens and dozens of sketches for the cover – as little thumbnails, as big bold thoughts, in every sketchbook, on loose paper…and was running short on time till this image popped in my mind and I drew it thoughtfully in a very cheap sketchbook. I ended up doing the whole drawing there in one sitting and pulled it together in PS with other parts I had created. It was so gratifying to work through that process and come out with something I’m still very happy about.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?

I joined the Illustrating Children’s Book class thinking that I was somewhat interested in working on books but didn’t realize how deep it would resonate with me. I’ve always loved children’s books and have been collecting them since I can remember. I read with my kids every day and love making up alternative text to keep things lively & get a laugh.

What did you discover about yourself?

After a couple of weeks into the class I was starting to visualize myself working on children’s illustration every day! I was smitten. I realized that my love for books was giving me a complex that I couldn’t ever be good enough to create them. Now I have a ton more confidence (and skills & knowledge & community!) and am excited & determined to keep going.

How would you describe the course to a friend?

The class is very intense and things around the house (and most other parts of your life honestly) will slide a bit, but it’s only 5 weeks and those few weeks are packed with goodness. This is the best class I’ve taken and it’s absolutely worth every penny.

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Do you dream of illustrating a children’s book?  Would you love to create a magical world with characters that you’ve designed? Do you love the magic of children’s books and feel that you have something to offer? Then this course is for you.matsD-banner-h02650

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

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