Let’s get you ready for my course, Illustrating Children’s Books! I’ve chosen my very favorite MATS Prep for you. What’s a MATS Prep? They are free exercises to get prepared for class, or just to have some creative fun.
What’s the number one thing that art directors look for in a portfolio when selecting an illustrator for a children’s book? They look to see that an illustrator can draw a great character!
What is a ‘great’ character?
It can be a person, an animal, or even a thing like a robot or even a pencil! The character has personality. So how do you show that? We will teach you how in class, but for now, here’s a tip: give it interesting accessories. What is it holding, carrying, wearing? Do the accessories help to tell the story?
I’m going to show you some work for for Illustrating Children’s Books. See how Kristin Smith used the fun glasses and shoes to give personality to this character?
Kristin Smith for Illustrating Children’s Books
Fill in the blanks and then draw your character. You’re the boss of the art, so do what you like! You can put lettering on the art, you can draw a setting, you can make your character look like anything you want! Have fun with this. It’s just a warm up. (Right off the bat in Week One of Illustrating Children’s Books, Zoe and I will help you, step by step, to create a character. But for now, have fun with this!) Don’t forget to share your creations with us on social media using the hashtag #MATSprep!
I miss my home planet!
It looks like ___________________________________ (describe). I had a really cool job on my planet. I was a ___________________. My name was _________________. My planet’s name is _______________. Coming from another planet explains why I _________________.
Here are two great examples from last time that I ran this prep. I want you to see the imaginative text. For your piece, I want you to be sure to draw a character—a child, an animal, or a thing. You will be able to choose a text in class. We give you a choice of three original texts. One features a child, one an animal, and one a thing, so whatever your comfort level with drawing.
Jacqui Mulvagh
Zoe Ingram
TIP: Want help with drawing children’s faces? Register for my course Drawing Faces (available 1 March) which has a section dedicated to helping you draw kids’ faces. I made this due to popular requests from my students for help with drawing the face.
Join me LIVE on Monday, February 19th at 1pm EST/ 6pm GMT on the Make Art That Sells Facebook page! I’ll be broadcasting a free lively Facebook Live to kick off the first day class for Illustrating Children’s Books! Everyone is invited to join in as I answer questions about the class and share insider tips and information to help you thrive in your art career.
Click here to sign up! Hope to see you in class! Let me help you make your best art.
xo
Lilla Rogers
Art Agent
