Lilla here. As an agent, one thing that I get asked all the time is: what should I show in my portfolio in order to get illustration jobs? Artists say to me: “Lilla, I have a load of art on my website, but what do I actually NEED?”
Gorgeous products in a variety of markets illustrated by some of the artists I represented. There are so many markets out there that need your art! Let me show you how you can get jobs like this.
My whole thing is about diversification. In other words, the secret to a successful art career is just like a financial stock portfolio: you don’t know what’s going to give you a ton of work or what art markets going to go up or down, so you need to diversify your investments. That’s why I often talk about having many eggs in many baskets – don’t focus all your energy and efforts on one art market, but tackle several at the same time. That’s what will give you the best returns and make your career more lucrative and successful.
This is why I wrote my brand NEW Portfolio Club course – my most portfolio diverse and varied course ever. You’ll get a juicy assignment for a different art market every month for eight months, from January right through to August, and I can’t wait. Hurry HURRY – class starts in just a few days, on January 5th, Sign up here.
How do you know what you should have in your portfolio in order to attract paying jobs? That’s where my playful illustration Bingo Board comes in! I created it for the artists I represented, and now I’ve updated it for 2026. It’s an easy way to see what you already have in your portfolio and where there are gaps.
My Make Art That Sells courses do exactly that: make the kinds of portfolio pieces that get you commissions!
Get your free Bingo Board here!
What should you have in your portfolio? Download your FREE copy of my Bingo Board 2026 here and see how many boxes you can check off.
Simply download your free copy of my 2026 Bingo Board here. Check off the boxes that you already have in your portfolio, then see what else you need to add in.
Then make a plan: how are you going to fill the gaps? I’ve written the assignments for Portfolio Club based on my 30 years of experience as an art agent, because I know exactly what art directors, publishers and other clients are looking for, so it’s the perfect – and the most fun – way to fill any holes in your portfolio.
Make eye-catching portfolio pieces, like this by Make Art That Sells student Darcie Olley, plus monthly live Zooms, a lively Facebook group, and more. Hurry HURRY – join my Portfolio Club now! Click here.
Plus you’ll have monthly deadlines to keep you on track, monthly Zooms with me to keep you inspired and get your questions answered, and a lively Facebook group where you can share WIP, get feedback, ask for advice, make friends, and more.
BIG NEWS!
Not only that, but I’ve hand-picked some gorgeous art supplies for you for every single month, in association with Blick Art Materials. These are completely optional and you can of course use any supplies you already have, but if you’re looking for an excuse to buy more then I’ve got you lol. I’m so excited about working with Blick and I’ve had an absolute blast choosing the supplies for you. Every month I’ll demonstrate different ways of using them, which will be a fantastic way for beginners to learn about supplies, and a fantastic way for pros to learn new tricks, get motivated, and add more depth to their work! Read more about Lilla’s Art Carts here.
I’d love to see your bingo boards, so please do share them on social media and tag @MakeArtThatSells and use the hashtag #MATSBingo2026 so I can find them!
Last chance for bundles!
Hurry HURRY – it’s your last chance to snag these amazing value bundles and get yourself my career-changing illustration courses for up to 40% off! I really hope that you’ll join me – it’s your last chance to get my 2026 courses at these great prices.
(If you’ve already bought a course (or two) and wish you’d got a bundle instead, just email lovely Louise at [email protected] and she’ll sort everything out for you.)
SALE BUNDLES
- My Year of Art School ALL: This is the big one! All of the courses we’re running this year, both live and self-paced with 40% off. That means you’ll get to join me for some fantastic live courses – Portfolio Club, Illustrating Children’s Books, Assignment Bootcamp: Lettering and my picture book writing course, My Kid Book Pitch – plus you’ll explore a ton of art markets like editorial illustration and home décor in my self-paced classes to fill the rest of your year. Plus a private Facebook group and more. Find out more and sign up here.
- My Year of Art School LIVE: This bundle includes my four LIVE courses for 2026: Portfolio Club, Illustrating Children’s Books, Assignment Bootcamp: Lettering and my picture book writing course, My Kid Book Pitch with 40% off. It’s perfect for anyone who’s already done a ton of Make Art That Sells courses or loves the accountability of deadlines (there’s a reason why I say they’re a creative’s best friend!). Find out more and sign up here.
- The Give My Work a Glow up bundle: Suitable for everyone from beginners to working pros, this is the bundle for you if you want to make your work even more gorgeous. With an emphasis on boosting your skills toolkit, you’ll get Portfolio Club, Assignment Bootcamp: Lettering, Color Quest and Lilla’s Art Recipes: Drawing Faces to tighten up your technique and help you make real money from your art, all for 30% off. Find out more and sign up here.
I do hope you’ll join me in class. I can’t wait to see what you’re going to do.
- NEXT MONDAY, January 5th: My newest class, Portfolio Club, starts in just a few days! Join me to spend eight wonderful months making some amazing art for your portfolio in a huge range of art markets! Sign up here.
- ALSO NEXT MONDAY, January 5th: Join me in a FREE live Zoom on the first day of Portfolio Club! I’ll be demonstrating the January art supplies live, talking you through the Bingo Board, showing off cool products and tons more. Set a reminder now!
- HURRY, LAST CHANCE! Sign up now for one of our great value bundles and give your art career a huge boost with a tasty discount. Find out more here.
Love,
