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Category:Creativity
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Welcome to Speed Art Dating: a micro retreat.

Lilla Rogers is one of the most successful illustration agents in the industry as well as an author, beloved teacher and visionary entrepreneur. It should come as no surprise than that she is also doing some super amazing things for the over three dozen high-caliber artists she represents. This past weekend, Lilla hosted an incredible micro retreat at her colorful studio and home outside of Boston MA. Six of her top artists flew in from all over North America and had the chance to meet with Creative Directors from top companies. Lilla with her inimitable brand of wit, warmth, and wisdom is a natural teacher. She taught two inspiring and creative workshops during the retreat with these artists: Helen Dardik Lisa DeJohn Carolyn Gavin Tara Lilly, Global Talent Search 2014 Winner Suzy Ultman Sarah Walsh On the first day, Lilla led the artists in Creative Workshop 1: “Block Printing”. The artists carved large rubber blocks and then printed onto lush


gts mini button Make Art That Sells #mygtsprep - Mini Assignment 5: Demographics

#mygtsprep – Mini Assignment 5: Demographics

What the heck are ‘demographics’ and why do they matter to you as an artist? When I was an illustration student, I always wanted to know who the job was for. Was it a cool magazine where I could do my edgiest work, or a more staid one, where I would be myself – always – but rein in the edges? As a working illustrator, I loved knowing who the client was. Was it the New York Times or Vogue? A Japanese travel magazine or an American cosmetics company? It informed my art. You want to understand the type of client you’re making art for. It’s NOT that you alter your very being. Rather, it’s about getting a feel for things. Is it very feminine? Is it for kids? Is it very intellectual? Is it for foodies or techies?


Composition2 Make Art That Sells #mygtsprep - Mini Assignment 4: Kick Ass Composition

#mygtsprep – Mini Assignment 4: Kick Ass Composition

As the 2015 Global Talent Search approaches I want to share some really important insight with you through today’s mini. It’s all about how you compose your artwork.   Mini assignment 4: Kick ass composition How your artwork is composed is so important! I’ve seen really great icons or products on a page passed on by art directors because the overall layout is not as strong as it could be. Don’t let that happen to you!



children's book art director

Children’s book art director Zoë Tucker: Behind the scenes

Meet brilliant children’s book art director, Zoë Tucker!   Zoë Tucker is an independent children’s book art director based in Brighton, UK (where the Global Art Gathering happened!). Specialising in children’s books, Zoë has over 17 years in the publishing industry working in-house for Random House, Penguin and Scholastic. Now freelance, Zoë remains Art Director of Alison Green Books (an imprint of Scholastic UK), where she commissions some of the world’s greatest picture book artists. She also consults with animation and production companies Magic Light Pictures and Dog Ears, Ireland. Learn more about Zoë on her website here. Zoë is a new addition to our Global Talent Search judging panel and we’re very excited to introduce her here. This is what a day at the office looks like for a children’s book art director! My Desk I live and work in Brighton on the south coast of England, where I share


watercolour Make Art That Sells #mygtsprep - Mini Assignment 2: Fifty Shades of Blue

#mygtsprep – Mini Assignment 2: Fifty Shades of Blue

All this week we are offering free mini assignments in preparation for the 2015 Global Talent Search. Yesterday was all about socks. Today your mission is to explore color nuances.   Mini assignment 2: Fifty shades of blue What I’ve done below is taken five hues of blue (gouache and watercolor) and added Naples Yellow to each. Look at the results! Softer shades. For this mission, take some blue paint, add Naples Yellow, and see what you get. Why Naples Yellow? Naples Yellow is a flat yellow and white, so it dulls, lightens and warms the color. Fun fact.


socks Make Art That Sells #mygtsprep - Mini Assignment 1: Sock Research

#mygtsprep – Mini Assignment 1: Sock Research

It’s prep time for our annual Global Talent Search (GTS) – one of the most closely-watched events in our industry. This year, we’re offering a series of five mini assignments to get you ready to rock the competition, which will be shared daily here on the blog all this week. If you have not yet registered, book your place here and then dive into these ‘minis’ to help you get ready for the main competition.   Mini assignment 1: Sock research Your first mission is to do research on socks, and take photos of them. What socks do you see out there? What socks do you like? What do you have in your sock drawer? Are they patterned? Textured? Hand-knit? What about on the bus, or in the town? What socks are other people wearing?


Tara portrait Make Art That Sells Tara Lilly introduces us to her projects (including daughter June!) since winning GTS in 2014

Tara Lilly introduces us to her projects (including daughter June!) since winning GTS in 2014

After entering Global Talent Search in 2013 and making it into the top 50, she decided to go back to “school” and signed up for Lilla Rogers’ MATS Part A, Part B, and Bootcamp to build her portfolio and strengthen her illustration skills. With energized confidence, she entered the Global Talent Search a year later, made it through three rounds of competitions and among thousands of entries, Tara became the 2014 winner! Tara has worked with Hallmark, Robert Kaufman, American Greetings, Galison, Midwest CBK, Peaceable Kingdom, Quarto Publishing, Crown Crafts Infant Products and other firms in the past year. Here’s a glimpse of a few projects Tara has been working on with Lilla Rogers Studio, while being a new mother to little June Ellawyn Lilly! All images are courtesy of Tara Lilly.


IMG 0058 LOW Make Art That Sells A day in the life of Lilla Rogers

A day in the life of Lilla Rogers

To those familiar with Make Art That Sells we hardly need to introduce Lilla Rogers! Lilla is the teaching force behind all our e-courses and our MATS alumni call her their Fairy Art Mother because she is dedicated to help passionate people create amazing and sustainable art. On top of that, she runs Lilla Rogers’ art agency that represents 30+ artists, creates her own art and is an author. We wondered, with all that going on, what does a day in Lilla’s life look like? She let us follow her for a whole day to find out.


Zoe Pic Make Art That Sells Where is illustrator Zoe Ingram now?

Where is illustrator Zoe Ingram now?

Back in 2013, Zoe Ingram won the first ever Global Talent Search from Lilla Rogers Studio. Here’s where she is now. Where is illustrator Zoe Ingram now? Zoe Ingram was the Global Talent Search Grand Prize Winner back in 2013 when the competition was launched for the first time. Little did she know when she registered that she was going to work with amazing companies and get to design her own books! Zoe takes a step back to have a look at what she achieved in the last year and a half. These are only a few examples of the jobs she has been working on: the list goes on! All images courtesy of Zoe Ingram.   October 2013 I won the first ever Global Talent Search Competition – as soon as the news was announced, things started moving quite quickly, with lots of sorting of images for my archive with