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 8 in the showcase series.
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This image is from the “Poses” assignment. It is my favorite because I loved exploring the different poses mixed with expressions of my character. Her personality and character came alive for me during that assignment.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
The class opened my eyes to the world of Children’s Book illustrating. There was so much to the business side that I was unaware of- now I feel more prepared and grounded as I am building up my portfolio to send to art directors.
What did you discover about yourself?
During the length of the course I discovered that I am more capable than I could have imagined. In the past I struggled with completing illustrations because I thought that I didn’t have the skills or the time, but this class pushed me to deliver completed pieces for the main assignment weekly as well as mini assignments and sketches. It enabled me to see that with a little hard work I can have what it takes to make a living as an artist.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
This class is great for anyone who is interested in breaking into the world of Children’s Literature, but doesn’t know where to begin. The weekly assignments are great portfolio builders! Also, Lilla and Zoe wonderfully explain the process of illustrating a book, as well as what to submit (and what not to submit) to art directors and publishers.
See more work: Website | Instagram
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My favourite week was week 4 where we learned about environments – I discovered that I really enjoy the creation of environments which is like in a theatre, the setting where all the characters and the action takes place. This was one of the more intense weeks of all the course, every element in my piece was created from scratch and I was very pleased with the result.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
It helped me to get a deeper understanding of how to illustrate Children’s Books especially how to develop less static/rigid characters with more expression and movement suitable for a picture book. It taught me the importance of observing animal or human figures in more detail to be able to develop convincing characters.
What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered my strengths and weaknesses regarding children’s books illustration and things I need to continue developing further. I also became more confident about skills needed to create successful characters and what publishers are looking for and expecting to see in your portfolio so they feel confident to work with you.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
MATS Illustrating for Children’s Books is a very insightful course which gives you in depth relevant knowledge about how to create great characters and pitch children’s books ideas to potential publishers.
See more work here: Website | Instagram
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The ‘Environment Week in Week Four’ was one of my more favorites, though frankly each week was my favorite, who am I kidding! ;)
What was so fun about this particular week was seeing all of my art pieces coming together in a scene, which was a completely new skill I learned being quite different from creating mockups for Home Decor. I also loved seeing me experiment by applying my pattern designs in new ways as I found this thrilling for me to play with.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
The Illustrating Children’s Book course did so much for me in terms of becoming more confident working in PS, including drawing and coloring digitally – which was something I set out to do with this course. I also so loved how the course took me out of my comfort zone easily and with assuredness to simply create art and characters while not worrying about the outcome per se. I learned to play while creating my art in ways I haven’t ever before.
What did you discover about yourself?
One of the things I discovered about myself was how easy it was to find my joy while creating for this course. By chance, I had very little time as compared to other times I took MATS courses to properly give the time needed to do my own art with justice for the course. But I kept at it. I submitted something every week. Even though I saw many ‘mistakes’ I made such as an overly stiff Ada standing, I could see it, whereby before I wasn’t seeing those things that needed fixing so quickly. Having a more relaxed ‘feeling’ to my submitted work is a goal for me during MATS courses for 2017.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
In describing this course to a friend, I would share this, “When the student is ready to really learn, the right teacher is there before them. And just like that, as if by magic, MATS has literally the best courses out there in learning all there is to know about producing agent-ready art for pitching. Investing in one’s self and own art career is worth more than it’s weight in gold. Your art is the source of your joy and learning how to apply that joy is thrilling! This MATS’ ICB course is so filled with incredible videos, art examples, fun exercises for character and environment development, you won’t even know how much fun and amazing art you have created until the end of the course. Take it, your portfolio and perspective agent will thank you!”
See more work here: Website | Instagram
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This is my cover for the Gigantic Turnip story from week 5. It shows the very moody turnip (she is a gigantic diva!) with the granddaughter and the little mouse, the smallest heroes of the story.
I particularly loved week 5, because we had to apply everything we’ve learned including lettering to design the cover illustration and I noticed the huge improvement I have made during those 5 weeks.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
The ICB class made me try out new techniques and explore new subjects, which gave me a heap of new ideas and made my style stronger. Sharing my work with all those generous and supportive fellow MATSies made me much more confident working in my own style and putting my work out there. One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is to break every task into small manageable pieces, which is a total blessing!
What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered that I make my strongest artwork when I keep Lillas’s words «People buy your joy» in mind. That really puts the fun and magic back into my work.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
The Illustrating Children’s Books course teaches you all the vital things you need to know to create a successful portfolio for the children’s book market in 5 weeks. From character development, expressions, poses, environment, to a double page spread and even a cover. The weekly assignments are very challenging but always fun and so inspiring. You also get tons of inside information that would normally take weeks searching for and you even get tips on how to approach Art Directors and Art Agents.
See more work here: Website | Instagram
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Spread for the Owl and the pussy cat story. This weeks assignment focused on environment which ended up being my favorite. I had a good time imaging the world the characters I made lived in.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
The class taught me the overall process of making a children’s book. I have always had these stories and characters that I wanted to develop but I didn’t know where to start. This class shows you were to start and what to do when you have something. Its also good for portfolio building anyone would benefit. Also just having deadlines and supportive competition from my classmates.
What did you discover about yourself?
I found I really like illustrating for a story it feels like a visual puzzle. I found it to be similar to animation but I like how a picture book tells the same story in a condensed way.
How would you describe the course to a friend?
Comprehensive course for learning about illustrating children’s books and the market. A great resource for children’s book beginners or veterans.
See more work here: Website | Instagram
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This is a spread design to a story about Ada Lovelace who, as a child, wanted to fly. This spread brought the most of joy to me during the course. I spend a lot of time researching birds, wings, feathers and renaissance constructions of flying machines. I sketched and sketched like Ada would sketch when she was studying the art of flying. And than I have decided to stick all of these ideas to the wall, to create an imaginary studio where Ada would try her ideas out. I suppose I like it the most as it captures the moment when I became Ada herself – a very emotional and intimate moment.
How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
The class was helpful in many ways. The daily sketchbook prompts made me develop a systematic routine of just doodling and exploring. The weekly assignments motivated me to work hard on my style and to try new tools out. The MATS community helped me to see my work objectively – to improve them, but also appreciate them more. Zoe and Lilla added a tone of valuable insights from the industry that helped me to understand it better and prepare my portfolio accordingly.
What did you discover about yourself?
During the course I learned that I need quite a long time to think about the ideas for my illustrations, but when the thinking is done – I’m pretty quick in the execution. It also occurred that I love designing spreads and that my training in animation making is very useful while thinking about the pace of a book. Last but not least, it occurred that being me is quite okay and the more I do it the better I become. Yay!
How would you describe the course to a friend?
It’s a very intense course that will make you think in spreads and vignettes, see poses everywhere, gather accessories and note emotions on everything. You will draw like crazy and you won’t sleep out of excitement. But you will finish it as a stronger, more confident person, who tried something new and owned it. And you will get to know a bunch of wonderful, extremely talented people from all around the world.
See more work here: Website | Instagram
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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
