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 the previous session of the Illustrating Children’s Books class.

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Kate Merritt

Week five was the ‘Cover’ assignment and it was my favourite because it was a culmination of everything I had learn’t over the whole course.
Here is Ruby and Norman walking along the beach wall, hand in hand.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
The ICB course helped me grow so much. When you look at the work I was doing at the beginning it’s so different to the end.
I learn’t how to break down each step eg: Building characters, their expressions, poses, the environment, covers and how important it is to see the connection between the characters. I learn’t how to use a limited colour palette and how neutrals really add some sophistication to your work.

What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered that if I take smaller steps I feel a lot less overwhelmed and that the facebook group and seeing the work of others really makes me try harder and up my game. I’ve also learn’t that I can do things I thought I couldn’t or always shied away from, like drawing profiles and lots of different expressions.

How would you describe the course to a friend?
I would say it’s the best investment in your career that you will ever make! It’s totally intense (in a good way) ? and it’s all I thought about for five weeks, but it’s really given me a clearer understanding of what Art Directors like to see. The course is broken down into manageable sections and the highlight of the week is the review which is so informative and inspirational. I loved meeting other artists in the Facebook group and found them really supportive and comforting as we were all going through the same process.

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Pat Scheurich

My favorite image from week two with Norman and Ruby. I like it because Ruby is caring, but still a little unknown to Norman which is why she isn’t all visible. He is shy with her.
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How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
This class was helpful because it broke down the steps it takes to create illustrations for children’s books. It also helped me realize that every drawing style can work, with the right publisher. Every day drawing really pushed me to a better level of my art and made me analize what I do in a different light.

What did you discover about yourself?
Taking proffessional classes really refreshes me! It’s like any business where you do continuing education. It’s a must for our calling. I discovered that I can draw well, but I need to put character into my subjects and loosen up a bit!

How would you describe the course to a friend?
I would describe the course as a very intensive look at the children’s book publishing market with an organized method of working on all the aspects necessary to publish, as well as being fun and having lots of inspiration from other students.

See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Christine Philbrick | Dogfoolery Studios

My favorite week of MATS Illustrating Children’s Book was “Poses” week! We had by this time developed our character’s look and emotional expressions, and it was so much fun to see my character, Ted, take on a physicality that was feasible (you know, for a brave, resilient stuffed bear who is alive in his own way..) I’m all about problem-solving, so really enjoyed figuring out how such a bear might parachute to safety using his friend’s silk “escape and evade” map when their Spitfire is shot down during World War II.

How did MATS ICB help you grow?
The story really starts back in 2015 when I took MATS A! Though I had been painting dog portraits for several years, I didn’t really draw or doodle or do lettering. MATS A made me realize that I needed to develop a personal way of 1) drawing and 2) adding color. I’m still exploring, but I’ve begun to see some patterns emerging, and MATS ICB was fantastic for challenging me to draw things I had avoided, like humans, vehicles/contraptions, and buildings.

What did I discover about yourself?
I love to tell stories with pictures! I’ve actually been doing it all my life, in a way–making collages from magazine clippings, making photo books with captions for friends and family. I just didn’t know if I could do it with images I created myself. But as it turns out, I get completely absorbed in (on the verge of obsessed-with!) drawing, and I love thinking cinematographically, setting up dramatic pacing, planning the compositions, and even writing my own stories, which I’m working on now.

How would you describe the course?
If you want to find out whether you’re a good fit for children’s book illustration, how to interact with art directors, how picture books come to be made, and what makes a compelling submission, MATS ICB is a fantastic resource and a positive, safe environment in which to stretch your artistic limits and get feedback. Also a great course for those who believe making children’s books is easy–hang onto your hat!

See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Joanna Zając-Slapničar

My favourite immage is “Norman poses” from the week 3. In this week I have learned the most! Playing with poses made me happy and open for new challenges.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class helped me a lot. First and more important for me was discovering how to make a character more alive. I have to trained how to draw different poses and how to express emotions and the result is immidiate. The course allowed me to appreciate social media are and helped me to see how important is self-confidence, sending the works to publishers, and intense work. Its also important that the joy is crucial in this work! I have notised how thrue it is. Now more and more people are interested in my work and I am much more confident J

What did you discover about yourself?
I discover my weak points and this is maybe the most important. I have discovered that I love to work with colour pencils and mix techniks. I have also discovered that as I spend a lot of time with my child, I dont need to resign from my work. Instead we can work together and this make both of us happier!

How would you describe the course to a friend
The course is great. I really recommend it to everyone who is doing any kind of illustrations! Its perfectly prepared. Step by step instructions make you come to the result, you have not expected. Very important is also community of people who is taking a part in the course. Its great that so many people are working on the same topic and you can see results and learn really a lot! The course is intensive so you need to be prepared to spend most of your time working on the topic. It will be great time!

See more work here: Website| Instagram | Facebook

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Fay Ford

By Week 4, the environment week, I felt I knew my characters Ruby and Norman really well, through all the character development of previous weeks.So I couldn’t wait to make a little home for them!! I imagined Ruby living right by the sea, in a cool vintage style, pink fish and chip’s truck!

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
Week by week my confidence grew through all the fantastic teaching by Lilla and Zoe and the constant support and encouragement from the fb group. My characters began to grow personalities and come to life, which was exactly what I felt was lacking before I took the class. But more than that, we were encouraged to grow our social media presence, and all these invaluable tips resulted in me finally designing my own logo and website- a big achievement for me!!

What did you discover about yourself?
That I work much better with a deadline! I also discovered that strangely, I produce my best work at 4:30 in the morning, when my head is full of ideas dancing around!!! The weekly submissions and reviews were great for me to focus and definitely spurred me on to do better each week.

How would you describe the course to a friend?
If you want to be inspired, clear your diaries for five weeks! This course is amazing, intense and totally inspiring. Money well spent if you’re really wanting to learn, and willing to put in the time, so you can gain as much valuable information about developing children’s book characters.
I loved it, and was stretched and encouraged by Lilla and Zoe’s generous teaching.( In fact I’ve signed up again in October, it was so good!)

See more here: Website