Learn how to get paid for illustrating children’s books!

  Our hugely popular online course, Illustrating Children’s Books, starts May 20th

matsD freevideo squaredates Make Art That Sells Free video series--Children’s Book Illustration: Expert Tips. Starts Monday, Sept 4th

Free video series–Children’s Book Illustration: Expert Tips. Starts Monday, Sept 4th

Please join me the week of September 4th, to watch our new, free video series. Gather insight from Zoe Tucker, children’s book art director as we share with you: 5 things you must have in a children’s book illustration pitch How you can transition from another art market to children’s book illustration Why you don’t even need to draw realistically What exactly the children’s book art director does to help you to make your book go from good to great On the last day join Zoe and me for storytime. I’ll read one of my favorite children’s books which illustrates many of the points we teach in our new course. It’s a book that breaks many of the rules! Your teachers in our newest course, Illustrating Children’s Books. Lilla on the left, and top children’s book art director Zoe Tucker on the right. All you need to do is check


Wilkinson 2016 4x6 Make Art That Sells Read our Interview with the Manager of Creative at American Girl

Read our Interview with the Manager of Creative at American Girl

Today, we are bringing you a rare interview with Riley Wilkinson, Manager of Creative, content development at American Girl! This is an incredible opportunity to get industry insight from one of the biggest toy manufacturers in the world (as American Girl is owned by Mattel). It’s not a market that artists always consider as a potential outlet for their work, but the toy industry actually buys a ton of art every year. Riley has great advice for artists—plus he’s a fellow MATS student! (1) What exactly is your job and how did you come to do it? I’m the Manager of Creative on the Content Development team at American Girl. We imagine and create stories, characters, books, magazines, entertainment, apps, and activity books for girls. I’m responsible for the look and feel of these areas and work with a team of talented art directors, producers, photographers, marketers, and writers. I’ve


Pat Scheurich Make Art That Sells Alumni success 'spotlight' interview with Pat Scheurich

Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Pat Scheurich

We are so proud of our Make Art That Sells Alumni, and we are pleased to feature a series of spotlight interviews showcasing their successes and artwork. We’ve asked them to share how the MATS courses have helped them learn and grow. You can see more Alumni Success stories here *** Today, we have an interview with Pat Scheurich. Pat has taken MATS A, Illustrating Children’s Books, Bootcamp 2017 and entered the Global Talent Search. Tell us a little about how you got started in art and design Since I was a grade schooler, I have had a pencil and sketchbook in hand. When I was young, I used to sit at the edge of my neighborhood, in the desert outside of Phoenix Arizona and draw the cactus and birds. Both of my parents dabbled in painting as hobbies, so I had lots of encouragement. High School art classes were my favorite


Newsletter header 22 Aug 2017 Make Art That Sells Want an art agent? Video Interview with Lilla Rogers

Want an art agent? Video Interview with Lilla Rogers

Have you ever asked yourself: Do I need an agent? Can I even get one? Is it really hard to get one? What do agents actually do? Can I do it on my own? How do I find an agent? What do I have to have in my portfolio to attract an agent? Here’s a special in-depth interview between Lilla Rogers and our MATS course producer Beth Kempton all about agenting. In the video below, Beth & Lilla discuss… How to know if you are ready and suited for representation How to decide which agent would be a good fit for you and your work How to approach an agent for representation What to do if you get knocked back Top tips for working with an agent Password: agent You can also download the video here and transcript here   MARA PENNY Did you know that Mara was one of


finchfloxglove Make Art That Sells Top tips for exhibiting at a trade show for the first time with MATS Alumna Bryony Clarkson

Top tips for exhibiting at a trade show for the first time with MATS Alumna Bryony Clarkson

We are so proud of our Make Art That Sells Alumni, and we are pleased to feature a series of spotlight interviews showcasing their successes and artwork. We’ve asked them to share how the MATS courses have helped them learn and grow. You can see more Alumni Success stories here Today, we have a special guest post from MATS alumna Bryony Clarkson who recently exhibited at Surtex with the Art Collective she is part of called Finch & Foxglove. Bryony is sharing her review and some top tips! Bryony has taken MATS A and B, Home Décor, Illustrating Children’s Books, Bootcamp and attended the MATS Global Gathering.   About Bryony: I live and work in Oxford, England, but also spend a lot of time in Seattle, USA. My studio companion is a 3-year old Wheaten terrier called Crumble. I have three children, so life is busy! When I’m not drawing, I love to read, walk or


very last day Make Art That Sells Last day to sign up! The quality of a course can be measured by the quality of the work that comes out of it.

Last day to sign up! The quality of a course can be measured by the quality of the work that comes out of it.

  Join us for five weeks of exciting and fresh art instruction by top agent Lilla Rogers and Art Director Margo Tantau. Registration will be closing TODAY at 11.59pm PT, so hurry! Join us here.   The quality of a course can be measured by the quality of the work that comes out of it. “The Home Décor class helped me grow as an artist because it opened my eyes to all the possible applications of art on products. I felt free to explore my painterly style without fear. I discovered that people respond to the looseness of paint, which was a bit of a relief, to be honest!” – SHARON MONTGOMERY   “The course is so valuable even just for the amazing and supportive facebook community – it is such a lovely, safe and supportive place to ask each other questions, share knowledge, and just be generally supportive and uplifting. The ability to


letsgetstarted Make Art That Sells Lilla’s 6 top tips for artists for the Home Decor industry. Still time to join us!

Lilla’s 6 top tips for artists for the Home Decor industry. Still time to join us!

We loved following along in the Make Art That Sells #myMATSprep mini assignments across Instagram last week. These mini assignments by Lilla were to prepare you for the Home Décor class that started YESTERDAY! If you haven’t signed up for the Home Décor class, there’s still time. But hurry before it’s too late. Lilla co-teaches this class with the lovely and savvy Margo Tantau, top creative director who delivers a ton of inside information to help students make outstanding pitches. Annabel Tempest Lilla says, “I love nothing more than seeing an artist take one of my courses and watching their work bust out all over in fabulousness. You may think I’m just saying that to be braggy, but the proof is in the pudding. I expect the very best of my students and push them because I want them to make a living with their art.” Check out the range of styles on


classstartstoday 650x315 Make Art That Sells Hurry! Class starts today! Get your first mini assignment today. Don’t miss out!

Hurry! Class starts today! Get your first mini assignment today. Don’t miss out!

  Yippie! Class starts today! Join us here and begin making your best art ever. Get your first mini assignment. Don’t miss out! Here is a little peek into the online classroom where all the magic happens!   Here’s what you get with MATS: Creating Collections for Home Décor: // Core contents Five intense weeks of class, with daily posts to push you and your creative career forward Five in-depth videos featuring Margo Tantau and Lilla Rogers, providing insight into how to take your art from 2D to 3D products made from the five most popular materials for home décor – metal, fabric, glass, ceramics and wood/MDF. Advice on pitching full collections of product concepts to top art directors. This includes tips on opportunities, constraints, what sells and who buys. Three trend boards provided by a working art director A Trend Board Analysis worksheet to help you better understand and


hurryclassstartstomorrow Make Art That Sells Hurry! Class starts tomorrow. Imagine designing your own home décor collection! Meet Margo. Success stories.

Hurry! Class starts tomorrow. Imagine designing your own home décor collection! Meet Margo. Success stories.

Our Creating Collections for Home Décor course starts tomorrow! Are you joining us? I’m pretty much in love with this course and my co-teacher, is the very cool, kind, and savvy Margo Tantau. Margo is a highly respected creative director who has licensed a ton of art for all kinds of home décor products. Here’s Margo Tantau, my co-teacher. Wouldn’t you love to learn how to make your own home décor collection from her? Let me introduce you to one of the artists I represent, Carolyn Gavin, and tell you about one of her (many) success stories. Here she is… …and this is one of the assignments she did in the MATS Creating Collections for Home Décor course… …and this is the incredible and beautiful home décor collection she got from her classwork: Seriously, the course totally works. Want to see another class success story? My lovely artist Katie Vernon…


manifesthomedecor1000pxl Make Art That Sells Free download and Facebook Live today with Lilla! Join us!

Free download and Facebook Live today with Lilla! Join us!

Here’s a free downloadable quiz I made for you to get you thinking in a playful way about what your very own home décor line would look like. You might be surprised to find out how you can connect with this vast and lucrative market. Hope you enjoy it! Be sure to post your results on Instagram. Follow us @makeartthatsells and include the hashtag #makeartthatsells and #matshomedecor. I made the quiz for you to help you ready for our highly-regarded course, Make Art That Sells: Creating Collections for Home Décor  which starts this Monday, August 7 (we just opened the classroom doors today, so if you sign up here, you can get instant access now). I co-teach the course with brilliant art director, Margo Tantau, and in five weeks, we’ll guide you step by step to create your own fantastic home décor presentation which you can then pitch to art