Learn how to get paid for illustrating children’s books!

  Our hugely popular online course, Illustrating Children’s Books, starts May 20th

some kid books block650 Make Art That Sells Why I created a children’s book course for you. And a secret.

Why I created a children’s book course for you. And a secret.

Why a children’s book course? For one thing, sales of children’s books are booming. Revenue from children’s books sales ballooned to $1.7 billion in 2015, according to the Association of American Publishers. Even in this digital age, consumers want the high-touch experience of an actual book. Art directors are on the lookout for artists! We know that artists love illustrating children’s books. Why? Because it’s magical to sink into a project for months, creating their own signature characters and imaginary world. There was also a growing demand from students who loved the week on Children’s Books in MATS A. Zoe and I have each enjoyed great success in this area and were excited to develop a course together. Both of us regularly work with artists and we they understand how to get the best out of creative people. Together we will give you everything you need to you get work

Want a chance to develop your own fabric line?

The UPPERCASE + Windham Fabrics New Designer Competition We’re excited to share with you that Uppercase magazine and Windham Fabrics have teamed up for a design competition.  The winning designer will have the opportunity to develop a fabric collection with Windham and will be featured in UPPERCASE magazine. Read all about this fantastic opportunity and the competition details here.  The submission form closes on September 12, 2016. Good luck! Make Art That Sells Team

MANI2016 BERNA DATEMA Make Art That Sells Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 6}

Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 6}

Welcome to Manifesto Monday, where we share some of the Manifesto artwork submitted by our Make Art That Sells Alumni. Would you like to experience the Make Art That Sells class yourself? Browse our live and self-paced classes here *** MARISA PARRA Through the wonderful MATS Global Talent Search and resources, I feel that my art has been brought to new heights. I find that I’m being more relaxed when it comes to creating my art work, which is making me more in tune to my creativity. I even find myself experimenting and playing more with different mediums. See more of Marisa’s work here *** BERNA DATEMA | BERNA’S PLAYGROUND I have taken MATS A, B, Bootcamp and Home Decor, I joined the Global Art Gathering in Brighton and participated in the Global Taken Search. I took all this classes because I feel I am getting better and better in

gts votenow Make Art That Sells Cast your vote! 2016 Global Talent Search Public Voting is now open! Vote now and help launch an artist’s career.

Cast your vote! 2016 Global Talent Search Public Voting is now open! Vote now and help launch an artist’s career.

We’re incredibly excited to unveil the online gallery of the submissions for the second assignment of the 2016 Global Talent Search! We’d love you to vote for your top five favorites. The 50 Semi-Finalists were announced two weeks ago and then were given Assignment #2 to challenge them further. They’ve just finished the assignment, and now you get to vote on your choices. At the same time, our esteemed panel of VIP judges will also go in and privately select their top favorites. “Sunny” checking out a London café In the second assignment we continue the adventure of our fictional character, ‘Sunny Spindler’ (played by our own marketing director, Reine Sloan) who visits a café to discuss the cover of her cookbook with her editor. Our 50 semi-finalists have accepted the challenge to design the cookbook cover, and now you can see the brilliance that they’ve submitted, here. Why did

matsD freevideo square Make Art That Sells NEW Free video series--Children’s Book Illustration: Expert Tips. Starts Monday, September 12th

NEW Free video series–Children’s Book Illustration: Expert Tips. Starts Monday, September 12th

Please join me the week of September 12th, to watch our new, free video series. Gather insight from Zoe Tucker, children’s book art director as we share with you: 5 things you must have in a children’s book illustration pitch How you can transition from another art market to children’s book illustration Why you don’t even need to draw realistically What exactly the children’s book art director does to help you to make your book go from good to great On the last day join Zoe and me for storytime. I’ll read one of my favorite children’s books which illustrates many of the points we teach in our new course. It’s a book that breaks many of the rules! Your teachers in our newest course, Illustrating Children’s Books. Lilla on the left, and top children’s book art director Zoe Tucker on the right. Sign up for the free 5 part

MANI2016 NICOLA DELAMAIN Make Art That Sells Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 5}

Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 5}

Welcome to Manifesto Monday, where we share some of the Manifesto artwork submitted by our Make Art That Sells Alumni. Would you like to experience the Make Art That Sells class yourself? Browse our live and self-paced classes here ***  NICOLA DELAMAIN I have taken MATS B, Bootcamp, the Global Talent Search and attended MATS Live in Brighton. MATS has inspired me to get out there and show off my talent! Lilla and the MATS live team left me brimming with confidence and gave me a can do attitude. See more of Nicola’s work here *** AMY M ALEXANDER | CAPTAIN DOODLE LIMITED Currently enrolled with MATS A, but very excited about the Illustrating Children’s Book Course! Lilla’s empowering resources and approachable method was more than enough inspiration to prompt my enrolment with the MATS(A) Course this past January. The course has not only provided me with valuable market insight

IreneLee Make Art That Sells Alumni success 'spotlight' interview with Irene Lee

Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Irene Lee

We are so proud of our Make Art That Sells Alumni, that we are pleased to continue a series of spotlight interviews showcasing their successes and artwork. We also ask them to share how the MATS courses have helped them learn and grow. You can see more Alumni Success stories here *** Today, we have an interview with alumni Irene Lee.  Irene has taken MATS Bootcamp and participated in the Global Talent Search. Tell us a little about how you got started in art and design It may sound cliche to say that I’ve always been into art, design and crafts. I grew up drawing all the time and crafting a ton. On my birthday, my mom would take me to the craft supply store and let me buy a bunch of pom poms and ribbon and whatever else I was into. I just kept drawing, painting and taking photos

Lilla video crop Make Art That Sells How do I know who becomes a success? Watch Lilla's free video series

How do I know who becomes a success? Watch Lilla’s free video series

I am often asked, “Lilla, am I good enough? Will I make it as a successful artist?” After all these years of teaching and representing artists, I have a pretty good handle on who will be successful. Or more importantly, what are the top qualities that one must develop? Why do some make it and others don’t? I discuss all of this in my free video series “On the Road to Artistic Success” here. You may be asking yourself: Am I good enough? So much great art out there—where do I fit it in? How can I make my art the best it can be? What is success for me? Join me as I share my thoughts on these questions, and more, here xo Lilla P.S. If you enjoy our free video’s, keep an eye out for the new video series, all about Illustrating Children’s Books! More information in next

MANI2016 CHLOE CRES Make Art That Sells Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 4}

Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 4}

Welcome to Manifesto Monday, where we share some of the Manifesto artwork submitted by our Make Art That Sells Alumni. Would you like to experience the Make Art That Sells class yourself? Browse our live and self-paced classes here *** KATE BILLINGSLEY | GYPSY MOTH DESIGN I’m currently taking MATS bootcamp, have downloaded quite a few of the free resources (really enjoyed the interview with Robert Kaufman’s art director) and plan on entering the Global Talent Search for the first time later this year. I particularly love the way the whole of the MATS experience is about breaking everything down into doable tasks, whether it be the creative process, planning collections, or even finding an agent and getting work. I sometimes find I can get a little paralysed by the enormity of my goals, and I’m starting to notice the way I am now changing my work habits and creating smaller steps within an

gts semifinaltaralayers Make Art That Sells Announcing our top 50 Global Talent Search 2016 Semi Finalists

Announcing our top 50 Global Talent Search 2016 Semi Finalists

Announcing the 50 Semi-Finalists in our 2016 Global Talent Search! Semi-Finalists, Feel Free To Share This Banner on your blog and social media TOP 50 who go through to round #2 (alphabetical by first name) Abby Bunnell, Allistair Burt, Anette Heiberg, Anna Berger, Anne Bentley, Bec Williams, Colee Wilkinson, Dana Tanasa, Daniela De Marco, Diane Neukirch, Elizabeth Munro, Elizabeth Wood, Emily Jepps, Emma McGowan, Eva Zurita, Gill Bond, Heidi Griffiths, Jess Racklyeft, Juliet James, Katherine Quinn, Kimberly Carter, Laurence Lavallee, Lee Foster-Wilson, Lisa Kirkbride, Mara Penny, Marenthe Otten, Marieke Middendorp, Meghann Rader, Michele Phillips, Michelle Brown, Neryl, Walker, Nicole LaRue, Paloma Pedrera Martinez, Portia Monberg, Rachel Grant, Sandrine Monnier, Sarah Allen, Sarah Papworth, Sarah Hand, Sharon Montgomery, Sofia Moore, Stephanie Hofmann,, Susan Spiers, Susan Evenson, Tatiana Von Beelen, Tatjana Mai-wyss, Terri Kasuba, Tina Loeffler, Trisha Klempel, Youngsun Kim. VIEW OUR SEMI-FINALIST GALLERY HERE   Honorable Mention Winners, Feel Free To