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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Natallia Bushuyeva

I chose the image from the week „Emotions“ because this was my first attempt to create a character in professional way. I loved to play with Eleanor’s emotions, making her crying or laughing.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
ICB class helped me a lot. During 5 weeks I learned and improved much more, then during last two years, when I was trying to learn and to illustrate children’s book in my own. The information, given from Lilla and Zoe, is precious! I was also very encouraged to draw and to break my barriers thanks to the Facebook group.

What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered, that I could produce characters in different poses and with a range of emotions. Also, I discovered new (for me) technique here: pencils sketching with colouring in Photoshop. This style gave me a lot of liberty in expressions and better productivity.

How would you describe the course to a friend?
The course is very useful, gives a lot of important information, and helps to grow and to build your portfolio in a professional way.

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Karyne Leduc

This was week #3 of the course where we had to show our character in motion! So this is Eleanor the main character of the story Pet Problems written by Zoe Tucker in different poses and actions! I really enjoyed making this image because it was new for me to put my character’s in different poses. I usually draw persons or animals in a static pose so this was a challenge. I did alot of research and observation to really capture the movements.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?the course really helped me take a giant step in my understanding of what are the importants elements that catch the eye in picture books, how to make your character pop out, how to draw small children so they look the right age, how to use shadowing… And the most important part is that I know now what I need to send to art directors for this particular market.

What did you discover about yourself?I discovered that I was able to push myself to draw things I didn’t think I was able to at first and also that I can meet tight deadlines!

How would you describe the course to a friend? this course is wonderful and full of tips and information to know what to send out to get licensed in the children book’s industry. You learn a lot during the weekly live review’s, what to do better or another way next time. It shows you such a variety of styles ans ways to interprete a same subject. It’s really a life changing course that really makes your art grow and evolve for that market!

See more work here: Instagram

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Nicola Allan

The front cover image for my chosen text “Pet Problems” was definitely my favourite to illustrate as it was the culmination of weeks of character development and as such, super satisfying to see all my hard work come together in one final piece.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?The class helped me to grow massively in confidence and I think I really surprised myself with how much I achieved and learned over the duration of the course.The way a huge amount of industry information is delivered and how each assignment is structured is brilliant and ensures that the pace is steady and you don’t find yourself too overwhelmed at any given time, despite it being a pretty intense five weeks!

What did you discover about yourself?I mainly realised just how much can be achieved within a short period of time when I set my mind to it. I worked really hard to meet all assignment deadlines, on top of full time job, and was really proud of the work that I produced given the time constraints. I can be pretty hard on myself at times so this was a breakthrough! This result, without doubt, was down to the wonderful MATS community and the nurturing teaching and support provided by Zoe and Lilla, and the other students on the course. I just need to be brave now and send out my work to some potential clients!

How would you describe the course to a friend? The course is so much more than an online art class – it’s an in-depth insight into the children’s book industry taught by people who know exactly how to get the best from us creative types. You’ll learn not only how to create work that art directors want to see but also how to craft and present a really effective pitch. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to become part of the MATS community; a place to connect with and get support from a bunch of super lovely like-minded people. You may also find at the end of the course that you’ve enjoyed yourself so much, you end up reducing your day job hours, simply to make way for more art… like I’ve just done!

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Jacqueline Gutierrez

This is my double page spread from Week 4, a scene from By the Light of the Moon by Zoe Tucker. Edgar the sea turtle is pointing at the campfire, asking if it is the moon. The dancing monkeys are pointing at the moon in the sky, but Edgar thinks that they are pointing at the fireflies.

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
I found the MATS Illustrating Children’s Books class to be a great learning experience. I especially enjoyed Week 4 because that is when we learned how to put it all together. That week we worked on our double page spreads, putting our characters into the environment of the book. Thank you so much Lilla and Zoe for such a wonderful class with specific exercises to help us look for assignments as picture book illustrators.

The MATS Illustrating Children’s Books class helped me grow as an artist. During the class, I learned how to draw more quickly, and adjusted my illustration style to be a bit more cartoony as a result.

What did you discover about yourself?
I discovered that I enjoy using a cartoony drawing style for illustrations and rediscovered my love of drawing.

How would you describe the course to a friend?I would definitely recommend this course to a friend. The assignments are based on what would be needed in the real world, yet are fun and enjoyable. After completing this course, you will have many more illustrations to add to your portfolio.

See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Kate Kronreif

“Environment”. Double page spread for Egg and Spoon. The most challenging for me, and ultimately the most rewarding!

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
ICB helped me in so many ways. It gave me confidence, it made me part of an amazing, supportive, generous community and it showed me how to push myself.

What did you discover about yourself?
That I can do this!

How would you describe the course to a friend?
Intense, amazing, worth every penny.

See more work here: Website | Instagram

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Charlotte Bruijn | Lottaland

In week three the illustration Children’s Bookparty went on with poses. It’s really great to get to know the character better and better.
I found it very usefull to feel the movement myself to get a better understanding of the emotion in the body, so i made all kinds goofy moves and sounds at my studio ( which nobody saw;-)

How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow?
Oh my, Lilla Rogers and team, I’ve couldnt done this without you. I cant say how grateful and happy i am. Wheeehoooo!
This course was really lifechanging for me. It sounds strange but it really is. For years i’ve told myself i wasnt ready. But the course gave the right insight and so much joy. After the course amazing people crossed my path because they found my work on Instagram.
An amazing art agent contacted me to work with her, a publisher wants to make a picture book with me and i’m working on my first ever commissioned children’s picturebook right now! YAY!

What did you discover about yourself?
That my heart blooms when i illustrate.

How would you describe the course to a friend?
This is the best course on so many levels. It’s a positive mindchanger to have more fun and be less critical to yourself. People buy your joy is Lilla best quote which echoes in my mind.
– The encouraging vibe from the facebook group is really indescribable valuable. In real life i really missed such cool group of people who understand what it takes to make art.
– It’s jampacked with all kinds of inside information about the business, trends, prompts and inspiration. Everyday you get new insights. SO much to learn.