Write your picture book!

  Lilla’s innovative picture book writing course, My Kid Book Pitch, is back as a LIVE course in 2026! Find out more and sign up here.

video portfoliostrong Make Art That Sells What do art directors look for in a portfolio?

What do art directors look for in a portfolio?

As the owner of a busy international art agency, Lilla Rogers frequently is asked “How important is my portfolio and what should I include?” Global Talent Search Winner 2014 Tara Lilly in her studio Lilla’s offered to share some insider tips with you on how you can make a strong portfolio and leverage your success as an artist! In these videos you will find out: – What to put in – What to leave out – How to make sure your portfolio tells the story of you If your portfolio is lacking in any area, get cracking with making great art to fill it!   Global Talent Search Winner 2014 Flora Waycott’s #Inktober Here are some ways to get started: Check out the archive of our #mymatsprep posts on the MATS blog HERE. Join us on our MATS A and B courses which have a vault of minis and assignments

MANI2016 SUSIE ESSE Make Art That Sells Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 9}

Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 9}

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 *** ROSIE MARTINEZ-DEKKER | BELIEVE CREATIVE STUDIO I have participated in MATS A&B, Bootcamp and GTS ( I was a semi-finalist in 2013) MATS courses, contest and bootcamps  helped me to elevate my design work at the next level, to establish a method, to work hard and to play while working and to create with joy. Is an inspiring yet challenging experience. I obtained a lot of valuable knowledge and resources to apply to my work including a more professional way to present and to approach potential customers. It opened my mind for new techniques, markets and ideas. I created a lot of pieces that I didn’t even knew I could

Natalie Zart profile pic Make Art That Sells Alumni success 'spotlight' interview with Natalie Zart

Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Natalie Zart

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 Natalie Zart. Natalie has taken MATS B and Assignment Bootcamp. Tell us a little about how you got started in art and design Both of my parents are artists and so I grew up surrounded by tubes of paint, regularly went to my dad’s exhibitions and all art hanging on our home walls (and standing around) was by my parents. On top of that, my grandmother was a graphic designer, so no matter who I spent my childhood moments with, I either had scissors, pencils or a brush in my hand and

uppercase1 Make Art That Sells MATS B Student Work in UPPERCASE Magazine

MATS B Student Work in UPPERCASE Magazine

Student images: Sharon Montgomery, Elizabeth Doyle and Amy Walters We are thrilled to see a selection of MATS B student artwork in issue 31 of UPPERCASE Magazine. Uppercase publisher Janine Vangool joined Lilla for a special LIVE REVIEW in April for both Self-Paced classes (MATS A and MATS B) and this six page spread showcases a handful of work that was selected for the review in the MATS B class. The specific MATS B assignment was to “Illustrate your ideal wardrobe or an outfit that best exemplifies who you are as a creative. How does what you make reflect who you are? Is it a floral dress? Are you a striped t-shirt kind of person? Is it a paint-splattered smock? Illustrate an idealized portrait or still life of the clothes you wear as an creative individual. “ Jess Racklyeft, Jenna Freimuth (top right), Bianca Pozzi (bottom left), Nicola Delamain (bottom

MANI2016 BROOKE GLASER Make Art That Sells Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 8}

Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 8}

Welcome to Manifesto Monday, where we share some of the Manifesto artwork submitted by our Make Art That Sells Community. Would you like to experience the Make Art That Sells class yourself? Browse our live and self-paced classes here *** DALE COYKENDALL I’ve taken MATS A and Bootcamp.  I have learned so much in a short time taking these 2 classes. From reviewing Lilla’s past critiques and seeing and corresponding with all the wonderful, generous artists in the facebook group. I am learning to look at my own work with a more critical eye, step back and revise again and again. See more of Dale’s work here ***  BROOKE GLASER | Paper Playgrounds MATS Courses: MATS A and Global Talent Search. My art got a lot better as a direct result of MATS. Lilla has a method that really awakens inner inspiration and the amazing tribe of artists in the

GrandPrizeWinnerBadge Make Art That Sells ANNOUNCING THE GTS WINNERS! Our biggest announcement of the year

ANNOUNCING THE GTS WINNERS! Our biggest announcement of the year

What an incredible journey! Lilla Rogers Studio loved getting to know the six finalists on Skype and thoroughly reviewing their bodies of work. After much discussion and reflection we are delighted to announce… …the winner of our 2016 Global Talent Search is Marenthe Otten! Above: Marenthe’s final assignment for the Global Talent Search. On the Skype call, Lilla suggested that Marenthe not hold back and go full-on Marenthe. Giant congratulations to the lovely Marenthe! She is a true original, an iconoclast. Lilla loved how fearless she is in creating her magical world. Because of this, and her broad range of imagery and themes, you’ll see a career that will have longevity and breadth. In addition, Lilla liked that she had been a successful designer for many years so she understands how to work professionally and collaboratively.  Lilla Rogers Studio is excited to develop original projects with her as well. Lilla

mymatsprep daily art Make Art That Sells #MYMATSPREP Day 5: Minette in your scene

#MYMATSPREP Day 5: Minette in your scene

Oh, man, you are a whole bunch of brilliant artists! You delight me with your imagination, sensitivity, talent. Are you enjoying yourself? Play. Visit Instagram and search the hashtag #mymatsprep to see the vast array of terrific art being created this week for the MATS Prep. You know, a few years ago we came up with the idea of a free mini series as preparation for our courses. We figured that it would be a way for the students to get geared up for class and also to get a taste for what my teaching style is like, to see if it’s a good fit. We have been wowed with the response to our MATS Preps (as I write this, there are around 2,000 posts on Instagram for #mymatsprep and over 2,500 for #mygtsprep), and I thoroughly enjoy writing them. I hope you’ve found them helpful. So today, for our

mymatsprep daily art Make Art That Sells #MYMATSPREP Day 4: Scene magic

#MYMATSPREP Day 4: Scene magic

Wow, what fantastic worlds you created yesterday. I dig your wacky minds. By the way, if you’ve just joined us, you can start any time. Visit Instagram and search the hashtag #mymatsprep to see the vast array of terrific art being created this week for the MATS Prep. Today, I’m going to teach you three giant tricks to create depth (distance) in your artwork. –If you draw something on the top of your page, it looks like it’s far away. For example, if you draw a little house toward the top of your page, it looks like it’s in the distance. That’s because our understanding of distance in art is that the higher up the page, the farther away. And then, by making stuff smaller, it enhances the illusion of distance. The converse is true: things at the bottom of the page are close to the viewer. You can enhance

mymatsprep daily art Make Art That Sells #MYMATSPREP Day 3: Setting flip

#MYMATSPREP Day 3: Setting flip

I’m going to make you flip out today! Children are so in touch with their imagination. They live in fantasy land a great deal of the time. Children will love your imaginative world. I’m eager today to help you make some magic. Take the drawing you did of the view out of your bedroom window from yesterday (or if you didn’t do it yet, no worries; you can dive right in today). Now, flip the proportions of things. For example: Make huge buildings tiny. Make little insects huge. If the people were big, make them small. If they were small (like you’re looking down at the from the top floor of a building), then draw them huge. You get the idea. It’s going to be crazy! Little people and huge plants. Draw it, and show us. I cannot wait to enjoy what you’ve done! You’ll be creating some more scene

MikeL1 Make Art That Sells Want to be a top children’s book illustrator? See the cool life of Mike Lowery

Want to be a top children’s book illustrator? See the cool life of Mike Lowery

Lilla Rogers Studio artist Mike Lowery lives the fabulous life of a busy illustrator well known for his hilarious children’s books. Follow his dream life on Instagram. Mike Lowery’s Carl the Duck’s Travel Adventures on Instagram Mike Lowery at a book signing at Barnes and Noble “The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs” Doodle Adventures by Mike Lowery and “Random Body Parts” Illustrated by Mike Lowery How to Draw Carl the Duck with Mike Lowery Want to live the dream?  Learn how to create a killer children’s book illustration pitch with a top agent and highly-respected art director! Hurry! Space are limited.  Online live course beings October 3rd. Want to get prepared for class? Be sure to join in our FREE hugely popular mini prep series which began yesterday. #myMATSprep is a series of five mini assignments Lilla has created to get you ready to rock our brand new Illustrating Children’s Books class.