Redrawing Black History

The course is arranged over four weeks, with a week for each era. For each week you’ll get an incredibly rich downloadable online presentation, hosted by Tamisha, covering a range of areas.

Download the classroom schedule  here.

To start with, Tamisha will introduce the era and go over some of the terminology unique to each era.

Then she’ll go deep into clothing, hair and more. You’ll love this part!

Thirdly she’ll explore places and environments. Tamisha says: “I wanted to help if people want to draw different environments: talking about the plantation, talking about the enslaved homes, talking about urban versus rural, and where they would be, where they would work and who they would see.”

Fourthly, you’ll look at the culture of each era: the religion, the spirituality and the music.

Fifthly, Tamisha will explore contemporary artists from each era. She says: “I’ll feature mostly Black artists, but some of the time, particularly for antebellum, I thought it was interesting to see how a white person painted enslaved people and the implications: whether they showed them being happy or sad, how they displayed their clothing or what they had the enslaved people doing.” For some of the artists, it represents the first time that African Americans were able to work as professional artists, which is both amazing and bittersweet.

Finally, you’ll explore modern illustrations by Black artists that are relevant to each period. It’s great for inspiration and to see how different Black artists interpreted the time period, the clothing, and the hair, and to see how they can draw from that and be inspired. You’ll see that there are different styles of illustration: there are some that are cuter or sweeter, but that still show how it felt and the truth of that era.

Each presentation will also include “Spilling The Tea with T”, an imagined discussion between four Black female artists from each era in which they share the truth of what it was like to live during their era from their perspective. This is Black history presented through each Black female artist’s life and the particular injustices, struggles and triumphs that they each experienced.

At the end of each presentation, you’ll also get Tamisha’s picks for further exploration, to help you dive further into the culture – expect Tamisha’s recommendations for books, audio books, podcasts, TV shows and more.

The weekly assignments

Each week you’ll get an assignment. You won’t know what the assignment is going to be in advance, but it will be something that’s appropriate for all levels, great for your portfolio, and it’s something we think you’ll have a lot of fun doing.

You can download the Powerpoint slideshow as a PDF to print out or use as a reference to draw from, or you can do your own research.

The live review

The class was initially run as a live class and is now self-paced. There was a live review in the final week and it has been saved and made available in the classroom for you to watch a replay.

And it’s FREE! Click ‘Sign Up Now‘ to register.

Billie Holiday by Tequitia Andrews

In this four week course, you’ll cover four different eras of Black American history:

• The Fight for Freedom: 19th century
• The Jazz Era: 1920s and 30s (Tamisha says: “This is one of my favourites as a Lindy Hopper and jazz dancer!”)
• The Protest Era: 1940s and 50s
• … then leading into the 1960s and 70s, with the Black is Beautiful movement and the move to reconnect to Africa.

Tamisha says: “I picked these eras in large part because of the clothes! My husband, Craig Fuchs, and I love vintage clothes, and we’ll find any excuse to get out dressed up in a different time period. But each era is also hugely historically significant.”

The Fight for Freedom: 19th century

Tamisha says: “I like the antebellum era, not because it’s the flashiest, but it was one of the most creative times for Black people. They took the scraps and bits and pieces that were handed down to them and incorporated their own African background, dying them brighter colours, adding designs and textures, and combining them in different ways. They created a style that was both American and African to make this beautiful African American style that’s so vibrant and full of pattern and texture. You can see from contemporary artwork that the people around them, the white people, were wearing a lot of earth tones like browns, greys and blacks, and then you have the Black people in orange and blue and all these bright colours. It’s so exciting. I’m amazed how they could take almost nothing and create something so beautiful.”

The Jazz Era: 1920s and 30s

Tamisha says: “For this time period we will be heavily focused on the Harlem Renaissance and the Great Migration.  This was the beginning of an era when many Black people moved from the South to the North to find more opportunities.  To help their families.  To grow beyond the heavy segregation laws of the South. During this time Harlem in New York City developed into a Black cultural mecca.  African American music, art, literature, etc flourished – it was a new awakening.  This would be an era I would try to visit if I could travel in time… If only I could see the energy, eloquence and artistic expression in person.  And meet all the amazing and influential Black artists of this era.  Plus, please let me wear all the glamorous clothing! ”

“I was a professional dancer doing jazz and Lindy Hop, and my husband is a tap dancer and a jazz dancer: we met through dancing. That’s part of the reason why I love the style of these eras. I love the creativity. I’ve never felt more free and alive than when I’m doing vernacular dances from this era.  There is light and joy in the movement. It has never failed to give me a new perspective on life which is fitting because this era was all about a new perspective of Black Americans.

The Dress and Protest Era: 1940s and 50s

Tamisha adds: “At this point, African Americans were trying to change how society saw them, trying to blend in and to become more American. It was a time of protest: African Americans were saying, Hey, we belong, look, we’re presenting ourselves like you’re presenting yourselves, we belong here to and we’re going to do it without violence. It was the time of Martin Luther King, and a time of elegance too. You wore your Sunday best and you wore your hair straight, there was no natural hair and none of the twists and braids from the background culture from Africa: in many ways we had lost that connection. I thought it was an interesting contrast with a couple of decades later in the 60s and 70s, where we’re connecting back to Africa. There’s a pattern: in the antebellum period, they were just being themselves and to a certain extent they could do what they wanted with their hair and their clothes, then in the 1950s it became very limited, when they were trying to just fit in and be accepted and have equal rights, before going back the other way in the 1960s and 70s and rediscovering that African connection again. There’s a question around how much you blend in and become American, whatever that means, and risk losing your culture.”

Black is Beautiful: 1960s and 70s

Tamisha says: “In the 1960s and 70s, there was a move towards Black is beautiful and reconnecting to our heritage and to being African, returning to the prints and the texture that I talked about in the antebellum period. It’s about going back to our heritage, celebrating all our skin tones, and being beautiful as we are, our noses being beautiful. I thought that would be a wonderful way to end the course, because we’re in this very natural kind of era right now, that’s all about celebrating who you are. It bookends the course: at the beginning, they celebrated who they were and were always trying to return to that, and then we reach this point of saying we are who we are. And the amazing and beautiful thing is we’ve taken things along the way, incorporated American things and African things, and this is Black culture.”

Lilla adds: “You’re going to love how Tamisha uncovers the richness of the Black American experience, teaching us about little-known but fascinating Black Americans from four incredible era. She dives deep into the creativity of each era: the clothing, hairstyles, and more.  I know students are going to be enthralled with the visuals and be incredibly inspired by Tamisha.”

PLUS we’ve added a bonus assignment on the 80s!

Don’t miss out on this FREE course, simply register via the checkout  now. You will not need to give any credit card details in order to join this course.

Illustration by Sarah Walsh

Lilla says: “I wanted to make a course with Tamisha, because she’s a master educator with so much to offer the illustration community. She showed up for our first meeting wearing one of her period outfits with a vintage dress and hat and it was love at first sight! I’ve been mentoring her for over a year now, as a result of which we’ve developed an incredible friendship. We can talk about anything, and have had some wonderful candid conversations about the Black Lives Matter movement and other issues to do with race. I love her celebration of vintage Blackness and her joyfulness, and I wanted to do a course together that included that, so we batted around some ideas and she came up with the title Redrawing Black History, which was perfect. We want our students to be more aware of Black American history and to increase their visual vocabulary. The bottom line is that American Blackness is a rich culture that I want to celebrate.”

What you’ll get from this course:

• A broader visual language and an increased comfort level around using diversity in your art
• An overview of some of the contemporary and modern artists who were working during the selected eras and today, with a focus on Black female artists
• Increased cultural awareness of Black American history
• A deeper historical understanding and an awareness of the rich cultural variety of the chosen time periods
• More awareness of how Black people were strong and courageous against brutal adversities

and more.

We hope that this course will encourage you to feel more comfortable drawing Black characters, so that you feel empowered to include more diversity in your artwork, as well as increasing your knowledge of the variety of Black culture and the different people within it.

Tamisha says: “The more people are exposed to different cultures, the more their comfort level increases, and their joy.”

Please note that this course is the personal view of course leader Tamisha Anthony, and reflects her own experiences and passions. It is intended to give students a broader visual language, but is not an all-encompassing overview of Black American culture.

Did we mention this course is FREE? Click ‘Sign up Now‘ and check out to register. You will not need to give any credit card details in order to join this course.

Rose Colored Glasses by Tequitia Andrews

This course is open to everyone and perfect for you if:

• You want to broaden you visual toolkit
• You want to be more confident in drawing diverse characters and environments
• You want to produce four stunning pieces of art for your portfolio
• You want to be inspired by four amazing eras in Black American history
• You want to be truly inspired by educator Tamisha Anthony
• You want to have fun in this joyful and enlightening course!

Register now and join us for this amazing FREE course!

Illustrator and Educator, Tamisha Anthony

Tamisha Anthony is a Make Art That Sells student and a thriving artist with six children’s book illustration deals under her belt, with clients including Penguin Random House, Little Brown, Macmillan Publishers, and Chronicle Books. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Visual Arts from Rice University before moving to New York City for her Master’s Degree in Computer Art from School of Visual Arts. As an educator, she has taught at institutions such as the New-York Historical Society and the Harlem School of the Arts.

Black history and culture is a personal passion. Tamisha told us: “My husband is also a historian. We love the past, and we love talking about it. We love how it relates to current events and seeing how it connects. Some people are blind to all the connections and repetitions that happen, but they are so interesting and exciting to talk about.”

‘Ice Cream’ Illustration by Tamisha Anthony

Meet your teacher, author and art agent Lilla Rogers

Art agent Lilla Rogers has also assisted in shaping the course (she tells us she’s “very much the sidekick”) and will join Tamisha for their weekly chats, Tamisha & Lilla Unleashed.

Join Redrawing Black History now for FREE! Register via the checkout. You will not need to add any credit card details, so sign up now.

If you have a question about Make Art That Sells please check these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) first. If you do not find an answer to your question here please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Q: I’ve never taken an online class before. How does it work? Do I need to be at my computer at a certain time?

A: The course happens in a gorgeous password-protected private classroom right here on this site. There is a separate online classroom here on the Make Art That Sells website for each course, divided into lessons. The class is now self-paced and lessons and you can work through at your own pace.

The beauty of an online course is that you can check in whenever you like and do not need to be online at a specific time as the content will be available 24/7, so it does not matter what time zone you are in. You can log on every day if you choose, or set aside time once or twice a week to work through it.

The written content in the class will be downloadable and you will have access to the classroom until January 31, 2024 so you have plenty of time to go back through everything at your own pace.

There will also be a private Facebook group where you can connect with others and share images of your work, and this will remain open indefinitely.

Q: What format is the class taught in?

A: The class is taught using  video sessions, written posts, downloadable information  and valuable resources, and a huge amount of imagery. Everything is made available in a bespoke, password-protected private classroom. There are assignments.

Q: Do I need to have a drawing tablet or be able to create digital illustrations for this course? 

A: You don’t need any special software or equipment for this course. Our students use all kinds of different methods, some are strictly digital, others are traditional artists, and lots are in between. Any method you want to use to create your illustrations is fine!

Q: Is the class live or self-paced?

A: The class was initially run as a live class and is now self-paced. There was a live review in the final week and it has saved and made available in the classroom for you to watch a replay. You have access to all course materials until January 31, 2024. You do not have to be online at a particular time, unless you want to see and join in with the live event while it is being broadcast.. Once the lessons are published in the live classes, you can revisit and complete the course content at your own pace.

Q: Can I access Make Art That Sells courses from any device?  

A: Yes, you can access Make Art That Sells courses from any device once registered, but we strongly recommend viewing our courses on a desktop or laptop for the best user experience. We pack lots of information and visuals into our courses and they are best viewed on larger screens.

Q: How hard is the course?

A: This course is suitable for all stages and abilities.

Q: Does it matter what order I take Make Art That Sells courses in?

Make Art That Sells courses can be taken in any order. You can take each course individually, or take them all to put a rocket under your creative career!

Q: Will I be able to communicate with others in the class?

Yes, you will be able to communicate in the private Facebook group provided (where you can also share images of your work and your ideas). This will be a great chance to connect with other artists and designers, get different perspectives and share your ideas. Our students find this one of the best parts of Make Art That Sells.

Q: Will the class material be available after the class has ended?

A: Yes, you will have access to the classroom until January 31, 2024. The written class content can be downloaded from class. The private Facebook group will remain available to you indefinitely.

Q: How much is it and how do I register?

A: Redrawing Black History is being offered to all students free of charge.

Click “Sign Up Now” to register.

Q: Do I need to add my credit card details ?

A: No, this course is completely free of charge. In order to register you will need to click ‘Sign Up Now’ and register via the checkout, but you will not need to give any credit card details in order to join this course.

Q: I don’t live in the USA. Is this course relevant for me?

A: Lilla Rogers represents artists internationally and has clients all over the world. Although the main buyers for art in the markets covered are in the US and the UK, much of the content is relevant for you wherever in the world you are, especially if you are interested in selling your work internationally. And because everything is made available to you online, it does not matter what time zone you are in.

Q: How is this course different to a college course?

A: As an agent whose artists have illustrated and authored lots of children’s books, games and other products, Lilla knows exactly what sells and what doesn’t sell. She knows what clients are looking for and how to present work to them. The course is based on many years of experience in the industry, and a clear understanding of where the gaps are.

As an online course, you can attend from the comfort of your own home or studio, anywhere in the world, and the private classroom is open 24/7 so you can make it work around your life.

By registering for any of the Make Art That Sells classes and participating in any of the Make Art That Sells community areas, please be aware you are agreeing to the following Terms & Conditions:

• You acknowledge that your work will only get viewed by Lilla if you submit your assignment(s) as directed when any given class is live. You also acknowledge that although Lilla will view every piece of work submitted and provide general feedback to class during any live courses, and that only a handful of pieces will be chosen each week for specific critique (which will be shared with the class), and there is no guarantee that you will receive personal critique from Lilla during the course. Furthermore, you acknowledge that there is no feedback from Lilla Rogers offered in any course which is not live.
• You agree that Make Art That Sells may give permission to select art directors to view the finished works submitted for critique in MATS.  Should they be interested in working with you, Make Art That Sells will put you in contact and you can continue your discussions directly.
• You give permission for Make Art That Sells to use any images you submit for critique in any class, or share in the class community area, to be included in any future class-related marketing or promotional strategies, online or offline. You will always be credited and will retain the rights to your work.
• You agree to the class Ground Rules which are as follows: (i) Stay open (ii) Be positive (iii) No negative critique of others (iv) No excuses are necessary. If you miss a deadline for submitting your assignment that is fine, but the entire class does not need to know the reasons for that.
• You acknowledge that Make Art That Sells and Do What You Love Ltd are the owner(s) or licensee(s) of all intellectual property rights in the site and the digital products you purchase, including any databases that hold relevant information about the site and its products. They are protected by copyright or trademark registration and you may only use any of the digital products in line with these terms.
• You acknowledge that all of the digital products that are available for sale on our site are owned or controlled by our licensors, or us. Upon payment of the price for any of these digital products, we grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the digital products for your own personal, non-commercial use.
• You agree that you shall not redistribute, transmit, assign, sell, commercially exploit, broadcast, modify, adapt, edit, sub-license, rent, share, lend, or transfer any digital products that you purchase through this site, or any of the contents delivered via Zoom webinar or within our private communities.
• You acknowledge that Make Art That Sells reserves the right to delete any inappropriate comments in the classroom or any of the class-related community spaces, in order to provide and maintain a supportive classroom environment.
• You confirm that you are registering for a single license for this course for your individual use only. To enquire about educational/corporate rates (for official groups of 10 or more) please send an email to hello [at] makeartthatsells.com.
• You acknowledge that Lilla Rogers Studio/Make Art That Sells reserves the right to replace any advertised content with alternative content of equivalent value without notice
• You give permission for your email address to be added to the mailing lists of Lilla Rogers Studio, Make Art That Sells and Do What You Love. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Privacy Policy

We do not store credit card details nor do we share customer details with any 3rd parties.

Delivery Policy

All of the MATS Portfolio Review Live lessons are delivered online in a private password-protected classroom. We do not deliver physical products in the post. Our online communities are offered via individual Facebook groups, to which you can request access, which will be granted once your enrolment has been confirmed. You can access the private classroom for your course via the Account section of this website, on or after the advertised start date of the course. For self-paced classes, you can access the private classroom via the Account section of this website, as soon as your purchase is complete.

Make Art That Sells reserves the right to change the time of any advertised Live Review without notice, for any reason whatsoever. If you have any issues accessing classrooms you can contact us at [email protected] where we will always endeavor to respond within 72 hours.

You can view our full detailed terms & conditions here: https://makeartthatsells.com/terms-conditions/

Make Art That Sells, 2023