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

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

Welcome to part 4 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 4: See how a children’s book art director makes your book spectacular What you’ll learn in this video: What is pacing and why it’s so important How the art director uses a book dummy to lay out dramatic flow for the illustrator How Zoe improved upon the illustrator’s pacing in an actual book dummy At the end of the short video, I’ll give you a fun mini assignment to improve your illustration skills. Be sure to listen to the end. #matskidbook If you’re having problems viewing this video or want to download it please click here. ***   Ready to dive in and make a commitment to your success as a children’s book

Welcome to part 3 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 3: How to do a vintage children’s book look What you’ll learn in this video: How to use a light box and tracing paper to make the flat layers How to make digital art have warmth How to add drama with only three colors Why a retro look is popular Your mini assignment for today is: Draw a pencil in only three flat colors. Think about including the eraser, metal bit, typography, wood, graphite, shadow. #matskidbook If you’re having problems viewing this video or want to download it please click here. ***   Ready to dive in and make a commitment to your success as a children’s book illustrator? Sign up HERE. Hurry! This class is

Teaching the Illustrating Children’s Books class,  has made me even more in love with children’s books.By writing and filming the course with highly regarded children’s book art director Zoe Tucker, I have come to more fully understand what makes a children’s book great. A few of the many books I discuss in class I’ve chosen a book that beautifully illustrates 4 key points that art directors look for in artwork: Is there a strong character? Can you easily identify the emotions of the characters? Is the story being told clearly? Is the style fabulous and fresh? Let’s take a look at a book that I adore. Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty, by David Roberts This book cover hits all the notes: Is there a strong main character? Yes. The boy is really appealing. His hair and sweater are nice touches. Remember, your main character is the star of the book. You are

Welcome to part 2 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 2: Do I need to draw realistically to do a Children’s Book? What you’ll learn in this video: How you can approach drawing for a Children’s book. The different ways other illustrators have drawn characters or subject matter. How you can take an object (not a person or animal) and give it personality. That giving your character or subject matter personality is key. Your mini assignment for today is: Find your favorite children’s book character. Take a photo. (Be sure to credit the artist) Upload it to Instagram with #matskidbook If you’re having problems viewing this video or want to download it please click here. *** Ready to dive in and make

Welcome to our 5 part video series on ‘Illustrating Children’s Books. Each day this week, a video will be published where you can gather insight from Lilla Rogers, Art Agent and Zoe Tucker, Children’s Book Art Director. There will also be mini assignments each day for you to enjoy and share on Instagram. 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 1: Simple steps to create your own children’s book illustration pitch What you’ll learn in this video: A really easy way to get started with your children’s book illustration pitch How ears of the bunny, for example, can be used to show emotion How an editorial artist can leverage their existing work What Zoe means by having your characters “tell a story” Why all characters should be equally dressed Why a gorgeous setting