Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio is now open for registration! In a recent public Zoom event, art agent Lilla described Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio as “affordable and fun”, which by weird coincidence is also my Tinder bio. But where Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio has the edge is that it will help you crank out some gorgeous, on-trend artwork for your portfolio that can land you jobs and maybe even representation (including with Lilla – she’s always looking for new talent in class).
Make Art That Sells student Brian Lambert was offered an illustration gig after a publisher spotted this character he created for Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio on his Instagram account – and then shortly after that he landed representation with art agent Lilla too!
Over three months, from August to the end of October, you’ll get something every single Monday that all adds up to help you make three brilliant bang-up-to-date portfolio pieces geared toward the hottest markets right now. The subject matter is playful and marketable, and is drawn from the trend reports that Lilla creates for her own highly-successful artists. Now you can get a sneak peek at that inside information!
How does Lilla create the assignments? What markets will they be for this year? Why Assignment Bootcamp anyway? We caught up with Lilla to find out.
MATS: So Lilla – what is Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio anyway?
Lilla says: “It’s my most popular online illustration course and you’re going to love it – though I should also warn you that it’s wildly addictive: tons of my students repeat it year after year. Why? Because it’s a really enjoyable way to make art, plus it gets you work (don’t forget: people buy your joy!).”
MATS: Sure, but what do students actually get?
Lilla says: “You get something inspiring and motivating from me every single Monday for three months that build up into assignments that will help you create three gorgeous pieces of art for three of the hottest art markets right now. If you’ve taken any of my courses already, you already know that I like to break things down into steps, so that you never get overwhelmed. Assignment Bootcamp is that approach on steroids! Every week you’ll get something from me – maybe a mini assignment, maybe a video lesson, maybe a mood board or something else – that will come together to make a finished portfolio piece.”
Lilla continues: “In the first week of each month, you’ll get your Mini Assignment, to ease you into your artmaking and just enjoy it without any pressure. You never know where it’s leading! The second week is the big reveal: that’s when you get your Main Assignment. Then in week three you’ll hear from creative director and trend queen Margo Tantau, and in week four you’ll enjoy a live event with me where you can ask me questions and more. Finally, for months which contain five Mondays, I’ll have something special up my sleeve!”
Art by Make Art That Sells student Karen Dreyfus for Assignment Bootcamp. Karen has had three pieces that she made for Assignment Bootcamp licensed to wall art companies.
Lilla adds: “Let’s face it, sometimes it’s hard to make art on your own: you sit there and stare at the blank page and wonder what to draw. What’s hot right now? What are art directors looking for? Assignment Bootcamp takes all the guesswork out of it and lets you just get on with making art.”
MATS: How do you know what kinds of assignments to create for Assignment Bootcamp?
Lilla says: “As an art agent, I assign jobs to my artists every single day. I know what clients want to see, what they assign, what they’re looking for, which imagery is hot, which color palettes are exciting, and which products are selling like gangbusters. Then I use all of that incredible information plus a healthy dose of whimsy to come up with brand new assignments for my Bootcamp students, just like the ones I give to my artists. It’s hugely important to me that my Bootcamp students are surprised and delighted by all of the assignments, so I also put a lot of time into thinking of something playful and fun that will help you create great art whatever level you’re at. It’s a challenge that I throw myself into year after year!”
Journal design for Assignment Bootcamp 2021 by Make Art That Sells student Dani Knight that has now been licensed as a greeting card by Design House Greetings.
MATS: Why did you create Bootcamp in the first place, and why do you think it’s so popular?
Lilla says: “My students told me that they really loved the assignments that they got in other Make Art That Sells courses, so they wanted a course that was just assignments! And at the same time, my inbox was regularly filled with artists wishing to be represented. While I frequently liked the style of the work, I knew that their current images would NOT attract jobs. It kinda broke my heart: here were artists with great talent—some even with four-year art degrees—submitting work to me, and yet the work was not real-world based! It would not pull jobs.”
Lilla continues: “So I created an assignment course based on professional briefs: Assignment Bootcamp was born. It has run every year since because it really works! Students have gotten work directly from their class assignments. Plus it’s incredibly fun and super affordable – averaged out over the three months, it costs about the same as having a latte a couple of times a week, and for that you get something from me every single week. And every year we get students emailing in to ask if we can please run it all year round!”
Art for Assignment Bootcamp 2021 by Erica Root – another Make Art That Sells student who is now represented by Lilla Rogers after Lilla saw her art in class.
MATS: Who is Bootcamp for – is it just for professionals or for people just starting out?
Lilla says: “Anybody! It’s for anyone who wants to have a great time making their work better and market-ready in a supportive environment. Even if you’re just looking for a rich, rewarding art experience every week over three months. All levels, all styles are welcome. I secretly design the assignments so that everyone benefits. We have top artists in the class as well as newbies. There’s a lot of energy in the course, and friendships develop that last for years.”
MATS: What markets will the assignments be for this year?
Lilla says: “Great question. It’s always a surprise each month! They’re all geared toward the top markets that commission lots of art. Each year it varies: it might be home décor, bolt fabric, children’s book illustration, wall décor, gift, magazine, baby products, journals … The only way to find out is to sign up (or wait until we start sharing student art on our Instagram feed and wish you’d signed up!).”
Graphic novel page for Assignment Bootcamp 2021 by Make Art That Sells student Maruga Koops – yet another student who is now represented by Lilla Rogers Studio!
MATS: So, can you tell us what this year’s assignments will be?
Lilla says: ”Ha ha – nope! Part of the way I motivate artists is to build a level of suspense over the weeks. It’s the way I teach—to break everything down into bite-sized bits so students don’t get overwhelmed, and then to build up to the final piece. I absolutely love writing the assignments, and coming up with fresh and unexpected themes! And then I get to marvel at the vast array of fantastic work that comes out of the class!”
We can’t wait to see it – don’t miss out, sign up here.
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
