Lilla here! Firstly, don’t forget to join me and my brilliant Illustrating Children’s Books co-teacher, children’s book art director and author Zoë Tucker, for a FREE live Zoom event TOMORROW Friday, October 6th, at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST.
We’ll be talking about the #MATSprep, showing off some of our favorite picture books, answering your questions and giving away a FREE place in class!
Don’t miss it! Set an alarm now! Join the Zoom here – you’ll also find a link in our Instagram Stories tomorrow, and on the front page of our website at www.makeartthatsells.com.
I recently shared the first two parts of a FREE three-part warm-up exercise that I’ve created for you ahead of Illustrating Children’s Books, which starts THIS MONDAY, October 9th. If you missed them, you can catch up on Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
How did you enjoy Part 2? I bet you had some fun accessorizing. Are you seeing that the more time and thought you spend on your character, the more interesting it is? An engaging character is so important to a successful children’s book, and that’s why my co-teacher, brilliant children’s book art director Zoë Tucker, and I spend so much time focusing on characters in class, and why we share boatloads of hints and tips from our decades in the industry.
You don’t just get our insight though: in case you missed it, you’ll also get BRAND NEW interviews from industry experts including an art agent, an art director, a publisher and award-winning illustrators. This is gold! Plus of course you’ll also get three brand new exclusive texts from Zoë and all the other amazing content, including assignments, live reviews, daily drawing prompts, downloads and tons more. Want in? Book your place here.
Today, we’re going to move on to the third and final part of this assignment: placing your character in a setting. In Illustrating Children’s Books, you’ll learn tons more about this, and by the end of the course you’ll have a complete pitch presentation that includes everything an art director wants to see, which includes a full page spread. Right now though, we’re just getting warmed up for class so I just want you to enjoy the assignment and try not to worry too much about it. So here’s Part 3!
Illustrating Children’s Books 2023 #MATSprep: Part 3
Photo: Lilla Rogers. You can use one of these as a setting for your character, or make up your own.
Ready for a little more challenge? Today, for your last #MATSprep assignment, I want you to draw your character in any setting. You can do an involved, fully illustrated scene or simply draw a few telling details. I’ve taken a photo for you of some of my vintage postcards to give you some ideas.
Beautiful street scene by Make Art That Sells student Darcie Olley for Illustrating Children’s Books. There’s so much here for a child to look at.
Tips from art agent Lilla:
- Again, think about how the setting might add to the story-telling of your character. In this case, unlike the accessories, you can place your character in an unexpected setting. For example, your scene doesn’t have to fit the character. It can be a twist. For example, you can put a cowboy in Paris, a pony in a classroom, a butterfly in a café.
Can you draw a scene that’s a bit more interesting than expected? Think about the places you’ve visited or want to visit, from your local town to exotic locations. The point is to draw something you’d love to draw, that is interesting to look at, and seems to tell a story.
Note: Even though your character looks like a child, they can have a grown-up job, like they own a cookie shop. Yup, that’s just the way it is in kid books. I don’t make the rules, lol.
Full page spread by Make Art That Sells student Damjana Loddelina for Illustrating Children’s Books. See how the environment contributes to the tone and mood of the story.
I can’t wait to see what you do! Don’t forget to share what you do on social media with the tag #MATSprep so that I can see it!
Want more goodness? Want to learn all there is to know about illustrating a children’s book? Then hurry and sign up for class which starts THIS MONDAY, October 9th. I can’t wait to see you in class!
- October 6th: Join art agent Lilla and children’s book art director Zoë Tucker for a FREE live Zoom event at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST ahead of Illustrating Children’s Books.
- October 9th: Our last LIVE course for 2023, Illustrating Children’s Books, starts Monday, October 9th. Find out more here.
- Next newsletter: Read amazing Illustrating Children’s Books student success stories!
Lots of love
P.S. Don’t forget to join me and my brilliant Make Art That Sells co-teacher, Zoë Tucker, for the FREE live Zoom event TOMORROW at 12 noon ET/5 pm GMT – you could win a FREE place in class! Plus we’ll be answering your questions, sharing tips and advice, and more! Join the Zoom here – you’ll also find the link to join on the front page of our website and in our Instagram Stories tomorrow.
