Our student-favorite LIVE picture book illustration course, Illustrating Children’s Books, starts one week today, on Monday, April 27th, and there’s still time to sign up!
Why do students love Illustrating Children’s Books so much and take it over and over again? Because while it’s rigorous, it’s also engaging and just plain fun. In just five weeks, you’ll have a ready-to-send children’s book illustration pitch that contains everything an art director or publisher needs to see to give you a picture book illustration deal.
Here’s your teacher! Lilla Rogers (left) and some of the many hundreds of picture books she agented during her 30 years as a top art agent (right).
Plus it’s led by industry experts. Your teachers, former top art agent Lilla Rogers and renowned children’s book art director and author Zoë Tucker, will teach you everything you need to know about the wonderful world of children’s book illustration, in an accessible, step by step way that will break everything down and help you bring your A-game to every assignment.
Zoë Tucker (left) together with the three books which she wrote for Illustrating Children’s Books which were then published. You’ll be working with professional-level texts!
Big news!
And that’s not all – Lilla and Zoë will also be joined by Ariel Richardson, Senior Editor in Children’s at Chronicle Books, for the final LIVE review! What an amazing opportunity to get your art directly in front of industry experts who are always looking for new talent!
Ariel Richardson, Senior Editor in Children’s at Chronicle Books (left), and some of the many books she’s worked on.
And this course really works! Tons of our students have gone on to get picture book illustration deals, land agents and more after taking this course (you can read some of their stories here).
You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve: as Lilla always says, she tricks you into doing your very best work!
Art by Make Art That Sells student Shona Van Aswegen for Illustrating Children’s Books. In just five weeks, you’ll create a ready-to-send professional pitch presentation. Sign up now!
To help you prepare for this popular course, Lilla has created a FREE three-part assignment that will stretch your creative muscles and get you into the zone – find the first one below.
Here’s your first assignment …
One of the cool things about illustrating children’s books is getting to draw lush scenes like a forest full of insects and animals or a busy underwater scene full of fish and sea creatures. Losing yourself in a world you’ve created is magical – and all those little details make the books so engaging for young readers, who are often busy looking at the pictures while an adult reads the words to them.
So over the next few newsletters, we’re going to create a scene together.
Today, for Part 1, you’re just going to draw some trees. Maybe it’s spring and they’re just coming into bud. Or maybe it’s summer and they’re full of leaves and maybe a few small creatures – squirrels or chipmunks. Or maybe it’s fall, with brightly colored leaves falling to the ground, or winter so you can really focus on the shapes of the trees and anything living among the branches.
Art for Illustrating Children’s Books by Make Art That Sells student Rhian Stone. This text was about a child who loved purple, so she has chosen to use a limited palette with purple tree trunks.
They can be as detailed or not as you like, from a few pen or brush strokes with smudges of color for leaves, to a rich luxuriant scene where we can see every twig. One of the wonderful things about picture book illustration is that it works for all styles!
Will your trees be completely realistic or do you want to add some fantasy elements? Perhaps they’re set in a fairy tale or on another planet – you can do whatever you like. Play and enjoy.
Art for Illustrating Children’s Books by Make Art That Sells student Nancy Leschnikoff. The twisted shapes and texture on these trees give them a fantastical air.
Tip from children’s book art director and course leader Zoë: Create a world that the child can relate to. It can still be a dreamy fantasy place but make sure it is age appropriate and there are some clues about a world the child knows. Zoë and Lilla will both share tons more tips in Illustrating Children’s Books, where you’ll dedicate a whole week to learning about scenes and creating your full-page spread.
Think about your color palette – you don’t necessarily have to stick to traditional colors for your trees. Sometimes unexpected combinations can work well.
Art for Illustrating Children’s Books by Make Art That Sells student Caitlin Betsy Bell. These trees are very simply rendered, so as not to distract from the characters in the foreground.
Once you’re done, share your work on social media and be sure to tag @makeartthatsells and use the hashtag #MATSICB13 so we can see them – Lilla will be looking!
You’ll get Part 2 on Wednesday and then Part 3 on Friday, when we’ll put it all together to make your scene.
Happy drawing! We can’t wait to see what you do!
HURRY! Illustrating Children’s Books starts one week today! Do you want five weeks of daily drawing prompts and thrilling structured assignments that will help you make even better art and build a successful career in the world of children’s book illustration? Do you want to spend five weeks enjoying Lilla’s warm step-by-step teaching style? Hurry hurry – book your spot here!
- Monday, April 27th: Create a ready-to-send picture book illustration pitch in just five weeks in Illustrating Children’s Books! Find out more and sign up here.
- Monday, April 27th: FREE live Zoom with art agent Lilla and children’s book art director Zoë at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST! Get your questions about picture book illustration answered by two industry experts!
- Next newsletter: Get Part 2 of your FREE #MATSprep warm-up assignment for Illustrating Children’s Books.
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
P.S. Be sure to join your teachers Lilla and Zoë in a FREE live Zoom event on the first day of class, Monday, April 27th, at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST! They’ll be discussing the FREE #MATSprep assignment, showing off some of their favorite children’s books, answering your questions and giving away a FREE place in class! Set an alarm now!
