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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

Introducing the 2016 Global Talent Search assignment

It’s remarkable. The submissions for our annual Global Talent Search are absolutely top-notch. What is the Global Talent Search? It’s our annual competition to find the next top artist for our art agency to represent. The winner lands a boatload of assignments, licenses, and consultations with some of our favorite companies. (I will tell you that our GTS winners of previous years are consistently booked with work!) The fifty semi-finalists are from all over the world. 21 Europe 22 North America 6 Australasia 1 Africa 82% of the participants have taken one or more of my e-courses, Make Art the Sells. The competition consists of three assignments. In the first assignment we introduced our fictional character, Sunny Spindler, who owns a charming candy shop and café. Meet “Sunny Spindler”, the star of our competition this year. We asked the participants to design a teacup and napkin set for Sunny’s café.

MANI2016 Mitzie Testani Make Art That Sells Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 3}

Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 3}

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 *** JENNIFER REID | FANTANGLE DESIGNS I’m currently doing the MATS Bootcamp 2016, which is my first course. I am absolutely loving it and feel that I have already grown in the first few weeks….so looking forward to what I will learn by the end of the 5 months! I’m also grateful for all of the free MATS resources and Lilla’s encouraging videos, which I’ve been using as inspiration up to now. The MATS experience has taught me that my own creativity has value. It has shown me that I don’t need to compare myself to anyone else …to just be myself and to grow in my own style is enough!

DSC 1771forweb Make Art That Sells 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. Top tips for illustrators.

Sometimes life is pretty magical. In June, I filmed our next 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

MANI2016 LOUISE WRIGHT Make Art That Sells Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 2}

Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 2}

Welcome to Manifesto Monday, where we share some of the Manifesto artwork submitted by our Make Art That Sells Alumni and MATS Community. Would you like to experience the Make Art That Sells class yourself? Browse our live and self-paced classes here *** CLAIRE EDEN In January 2016 I took the plunge into the intense 5 week course of MATS home decor. Currently I am on MATS Bootcamp. I have also devoured the free resources on the Make Art That Sells website, MATS courses are a special life changing creative experience. They are full of engaging content and activities.  I feel that having taken the MATS courses my work is stronger and more suited to a variety of art markets while still being authentically my own style. I’m excited to be on this journey and will continue to grow through MATS courses. See more of Claire’s work here *** MORGAN

Katie Cannon Logo Make Art That Sells Alumni success 'spotlight' interview with Katie Cannon

Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Katie Cannon

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 Katie Cannon.  Katie has taken MATS Bootcamp and participated in the Global Talent Search Tell us a little about how you got started in art and design I have been an artist for all my life. I have always loved to draw and make things. I have used this passion over the years in one form or another and I really love how I can share what I see with others through my art.   Lilla always says “People buy your joy.” What brings you joy?’ I love working with color

iggy peck Make Art That Sells What Art Directors look for in Children's Book Illustration

What Art Directors look for in Children’s Book Illustration

Working on our new course, Illustrating Children’s Books,  has made me even more in love with kid books. But writing and filming the course with highly regarded art director Zoe Tucker, I have come to more fully understand what make the great books great. 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 going to be drawing him/her throughout,

Manifesto Monday 2016 {part 1}

Welcome to Manifesto Monday We receive so many wonderful comments about ‘Make Art That Sells‘, that we invited our amazing alumni to submit their own MATS Manifesto! We were absolutely delighted (but not surprised!) by the staggering level of submissions for the 2016 Manifesto competition. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing their beautiful artwork on the blog. Would you like to experience the Make Art That Sells class yourself? Browse our live and self-paced classes here *** GRACE NOEL  | CREATIVELY GRACEFUL By taking the MATS course I expect to uncover extra nuggets of industry insight so I can fulfill my dream of designing collections for the home decor market. That will combine all my loves in one!! See more of Grace’s work here: creativelygraceful.blogspot.ca   *** BROOKE ANNE BRISTOW I participated in the Global Talent Search 2015. I enjoy watching all of Lilla’s videos-I am trying to build my