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Illustrating Children’s Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}

showcase children 02 Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}

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. View more student showcase posts here.

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Nicole Wilson

NICOLE WILSON COVER WK51 Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}
Nicole Wilson Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}My favorite image from weekly assignments: Week 5 Cover. This was my favorite image from the course as it was the culmination of everything we learned from Lilla and Zoe over the course of 5 wonderfully challenging and creative weeks. It really reflected how much I had both grown and learned from the time we began the course and turned in our Week 1 assignments.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
I feel like Lilla’s brilliant children’s book illustration course really gave me wings to fly as a working artist and supported me beautifully through the process of honing new skills and brushing up on older ones. It grounded me in the “rules of the game” so to speak when it comes to illustrating children’s books and the various components of character, emotions, poses, environment and ultimately making smashing cover art!! While I have been a working artist for years I came into the course very green when it came to the certain aspects of Children’s Books and that was slightly intimidating, however I feel like I walked away from the course ready to submit my portfolio to top art directors and art agents. It grew my confidence in my abilities not only in the realm of Children’s Books, but also as an artist and in the fact that my craft and ability is capable of traversing many mediums.

What did you discover about yourself?
What I discovered about myself through Lilla’s Children’s Book Illustration course was that I can still, even after so many years working as a professional artist, grow, learn and develop new enterprising skills regardless of where I am in my career to keep my work current. It is quite refreshing to realize that if you push yourself outside of your comfort zone, even in the areas you feel most at ease (for myself this would be drawing and painting), you can become an even better artist. I quite surprised myself by the amount of growth that took place through the few short weeks. I have always worked traditionally, but over the past year of taking MATS courses is how to work skillfully in the digital medium as well.

How would you describe the course to a friend?
If I were to describe this course to a friend I would say it is an invaluable masterclass in Children’s Books, that is ideal for anyone who wants to learn and develop a winning children’s book pitch. I would also add though this course may challenge you and cause you to question your abilities at times, it truly affords you a priceless tool box with which you can confidently step into the professional world of children’s book illustration.

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Rachael Schafer Designs

RACHAEL SCHAFER SPREAD ICB3 WK4600 Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}

 

Rachael Schaferprofilepic Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}I came up with a little turtle girl based on Zoes story copy, and I love how this week brings elements of her journey together: she meets a tiger, and the city is seen in the distance.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
I learned to pace illustrations along with text and to build in differing points of view and to show characters interacting with one another.

What did you discover about yourself?
That I love to draw creatures doing things!

How would you describe the course to a friend?
A fantastic overview of the details that you need to create a children’s book and a big picture idea on what it takes to get a book published!

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Jennifer Potter

JENNIFER POTTER COVER ICB3 WK5 600 Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}jennifer potter portrait 600 Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}I had a hard time choosing which week was my favorite, but in the end I went with week 5- cover because that’s where everything I’d done throughout the course came together. Lilla likes to say “yard by yard, it’s hard, inch by inch, it’s a cinch.” Well that was very evident in week 5. By then, I already knew my characters inside and out, as well as my style and color palette. I can get caught up with analysis paralysis, so having everything worked out meant I didn’t have to focus on anything but execution, which was a great way to wrap up such a challenging and immersive course!

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
After taking the course I feel way more confident about my art and what I need to do to get work. I learned a lot from Lilla and Zoe and it helped me set up a clear set of goals that will help propel my work forward, including updating my portfolio, joining SCBWI, and going to the Children’s Book Fair in Bologna. I feel like I went into the class in a fog and stepped out in daylight!

What did you discover about yourself?
When I started the course I was questioning everything I did, and my work was suffering as a result. Much of it was technically skilled, but it felt soulless. I wasn’t focused on what I wanted, but what I thought other people wanted to see. I was more concerned with what was popular, than with finding my own voice, and it wasn’t making me happy. Lilla encourages you to “be yourself with a vengeance,” and with all the sketchbook prompts and assignments, there’s plenty of space to find out just who that is. But there’s something about getting to see who your classmates are, too. It’s such a fantastic community of wonderfully skilled artists, and getting to see how they create strong work in their own myriad styles every week reinforces that there is no right or wrong way to make great art. If you pay attention, and don’t let yourself get discouraged by the healthy competition, it can be quite freeing. At some point in the course, it all clicked. I was able to step back and see the unique style I’d already been developing, which has allowed me to produce significantly stronger work since the class ended.

How would you describe the course to a friend?
Like anything, you get out of it what you put into it. If you are willing to put in the effort, there is a ton of stuff to learn and be challenged by, as well as a wonderfully supportive and inspiring community.

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Martina Scott

Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}
Martina Scottprofile Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}I chose this image, as it was tying together a lot of different aspects taught from the course – emotions, poses, background, type, layout. I loved working on this spread.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
Having everything broken down into manageable stages made everything seem do-able. The weekly assignments, the interviews, videos and feedback made everything clear. Before the course, I would’ve been preparing a pitch without confidence but now I have a good grasp of what they’re after and what I need to work on.

What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered I’m able to work in different ways than I thought. Before I stuck with single illustrations and never furthered any characters. After experimenting, I found a style that is both similar to my earlier work but also different enough to allow more versatility with the characters. I realised I’m able to work with multiple poses and expressions with consistency.

How would you describe the course to a friend?
This course guides you step-by-step through everything you need for a killer pitch for children’s books. You’re not doing it alone either, everyone is sharing their progress and helping each other daily on the facebook group.

See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Francesca Pirrone

FRANCESCA PIRRONE Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
The class has been fantastic, it is and full of creative energy. I grew up looking at the work of other artists and listening to the advice of Lilla and Zoe.

What did you discover about yourself?
Finally when I draw I’m no longer alone with my desk. In the week on the poses I fell in love with the little clumsy turtle, I saw her walking, falling, rolling in my house.

How would you describe the course to a friend?
I told my friends about this course with joy…….. think they are going to join the next one!.

See more work here: Instagram | Facebook

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Karolina Golightly | King Bird Illustration

Karolina GolightlyICB 2017 Emotions Eleanor King Bird Illustration Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}
Karolina Golightly Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Oct 2017 class}The Emotions week was my favorite, because I played around with a wide range of Emotions for the character Eleanor – it made me get to know her much better and I learned a lot about the basic human Emotions and their subcategories in that week.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
ICB was a great experience for me! It helped me to become more structured in my approach to how I work, and I got tons and tons of very helpful and interesting insider information about how the childrens book market works. Plus it was the most supportive environment! and great fun!

What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered about myself that I can grow fast in many directions under the right guidance and with the fabulous support provided by Lilla and Zoe!

How would you describe the course to a friend?
If you want to grow as an Illustrator, especially in the Childrens Books Area, ICB is worth more than Gold! It is a very supportive, lovely and colourful environment, very thoughtfully structured and will give you insight and information that can last a very long time. but be careful, its addictive! ;)

See more work here: 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.
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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

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