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kate1 Make Art That Sells Industry Expert: Kate Clarke – Illustrating Children’s Books class

Industry Expert: Kate Clarke – Illustrating Children’s Books class

Those of you who have taken our Make Art That Sells classes will know how valuable it is to hear from a professional and expert who works in the industry day in, day out, and can communicate what they look for from artists. Over the next couple of weeks, we are excited to reveal some of the amazing Industry Expert interviews and articles we have lined up for our ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class, so you can get even more valuable insight and know-how on becoming a Children’s Book Illustrator. Class begins on Monday, October 2nd and is almost full! You can still register HERE *** Today, we reveal that Kate Clarke, Fiction Art Director at Harper Collins Children’s Books will be one of our expert interviews in class. Kate studied Visual Communications at Leeds College and Art and Design and has since worked at some of the UK’s leading publishing

K Nobles CandlewickArtDirector Make Art That Sells Industry Expert: Kristine Nobles - Illustrating Children’s Books class

Industry Expert: Kristine Nobles – Illustrating Children’s Books class

Those of you who have taken our Make Art That Sells classes will know how valuable it is to hear from a professional and expert who works in the industry day in, day out, and can communicate what they look for from artists. Over the next couple of weeks, we are excited to reveal some of the amazing Industry Expert interviews and articles we have lined up for our ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class, so you can get even more valuable insight and know-how on becoming a Children’s Book Illustrator. Class begins on Monday, October 2nd and is almost full! You can still register HERE *** Today, we reveal that Kristine Nobles, Art Director at Candlewick Press, will be one of our expert interviews in class. Kristin is the Art Director at Candlewick Press and the Group Art Director for the Entertainment Imprint globally for Walker Books in the UK and Australia,

6 Fabulous tips: Illustrating a children’s book

  What’s amazing about our children’s book illustration course is how our students’ work blossoms over the five jam-packed weeks. I love to teach our intensive courses for exactly that reason. The passion and achievement of our students are awe inspiring. What kind of children’s book would you like to make? Today I’m going to show you student work from Week 4 of Illustrating Children’s Books which I co-teach with the very fun and highly respected children’s book art director, Zoë Tucker. The theme of Week 4 is Environment. Students are tasked with creating a scene from their text. At this point they have already developed their character and now they get to place their character in a setting. TIP 1: Make a magical little world with lots of details that the child can explore over and over again, as Maria has done here. Doing research is a great way

devon Sussex Seagulls Web Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 5 {Jan 2017 class}

Illustrating Children’s Books Student Showcase part 5 {Jan 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. *** Devon Holzwarth   My “Sussex Seagull Gang” came from a really lovely part of the course (during week 4/5 – Poses) where I had pushed myself so far into my characters and the story that I was able to imagine the world around them. The gulls came out so freely, like they were waiting for me to draw them. I had the best laughs while adding all their little accessories and thinking of their personalities and how they’d interact. It was one of my most fun moments in creating the story’s characters and affirmed I should follow my curiosity when little ideas pop into mind. How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow? I’ve taken the

Sofia submittedtoblog Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 4 {Jan 2017 class}

Illustrating Children’s Books Student Showcase part 4 {Jan 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. *** Sofia Moore My favorite week was week #5 “Cover design” for the Ted Tingley story. How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow? I felt like it was my most successful week because I was able to see how my skills to illustrate had been improved by the end of the course. And in general, I keep taking this class (again in October) because I am still establishing my style as an illustrator and Lilla’s class helps tremendously to grow and evolve in the shortest time. I can’t wait to see where the next class will take me! As I feel little more confident about my painting and drawing techniques, I want to create stronger pieces

KATE MERRITT COVER ICB2 WK5 Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 3 {Jan 2017 class}

Illustrating Children’s Books Student Showcase part 3 {Jan 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. *** 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

Mara Penny Junko Cover ICB2 Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 2 {Jan 2017 class}

Illustrating Children’s Books Student Showcase part 2 {Jan 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. *** Sam Loman Week 4 was definitely my favourite week because everything I practiced the first 3 weeks came together: character, accessories and environment. I love to see an illustration ‘grow’ from sketches, drafts, semi-finished drawings to a finished piece which I am still proud of, normally after a weeks I don’t like my work anymore…..always think I could do better… Although those 5 weeks were very intensive I still have the feeling I didn’t rushed and took the time to know my characters, to try different things and came to a style I still like…HOORAY. How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow? I have illustrated a lot of children’s books, but I never broke it

Sara Netherway ruby and norman by Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books Student Showcase part 1 {Jan 2017 class}

Illustrating Children’s Books Student Showcase part 1 {Jan 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. *** Sara Netherway This is Ruby and Norman playing together from Poses in Week 3. This week was great for making the characters come alive and tell the story. In this image I was building a relationship between the characters as Ruby crouched down, interested to hear Normans stories of home. How did the ‘Illustrating Children’s Book’ class help you grow? I grew so much through the Illustrating Children’s Book class. Because of the way the course is structured I was able to build and see huge progress through the weeks, this gave me a lot of confidence in the process. Now I can use the tools I’ve learnt in the class again and again to grow even more.

Four Books I Love 650x450 1 Make Art That Sells Top tips for illustrators, four books I love and what you can learn from them.

Top tips for illustrators, four books I love and what you can learn from them.

Sometimes life is pretty magical. Did you know that I filmed our course, Illustrating Children’s Books, in Brighton, England with someone I admire. Zoe Tucker,  respected children’s book art director and mischief-maker, was my co-conspirator in the course. Me and Zoe Tucker in Brighton, getting ready for filming When you film tons of videos with someone over many days, you really get to know them. And with someone like Zoe, you get to experience the vast depth of their knowledge. Lilla: Zoe, can I ask you anything on camera about books, or is there anything you don’t want me to ask? Will I be putting you on the spot? Would you rather know in advance? Zoe: No. Ask me anything on camera. And so I did. And she knows A TON. We filmed the core content of the course but we sprinkled in some free-form banter. There was plenty of impromptu

matsD freevideo squaredates Make Art That Sells Free Video Series Part 5: Illustrating Children's Books

Free Video Series Part 5: Illustrating Children’s Books

Welcome to final part of our 5 part video series on ‘Illustrating Children’s Books. Ready to dive in and make a commitment to your success as a children’s book illustrator? Sign up HERE. Hurry! This class will fill! PART 5: Lilla reads one of her favorite children’s books What you’ll learn in this video: See how an agent and art director analyze a winning children’s book How to create wit by contradicting the text How to vary the size of your characters to create drama How you can actually illustrate a page without any text whatsoever See Lilla’s and Zoe’s favorite pages and why Your mini assignment for today is: Share your favorite children’s book with us! Take a photo of the cover and upload it to Instagram using #matskidbook If you’re having problems viewing this video or want to download it please click here. ***   Ready to dive in and