FREE illustration assignments from an art agent: #1
Lilla here. It’s springtime here in the northern hemisphere. The sun is shining and things are feeling positive.
Over the next few weeks, I want to share some FREE illustration assignments with you, just to stretch you and help you approach your art-making in fresh, interesting ways. They’ll all be very small and manageable and easy to fit around your other commitments, and of course they’re completely optional! They’re just a way of loosening up and playing with your art.
Today we’re going to start with a super simple mini assignment. I have found, to my delight, that many of my Make Art That Sells students are wacky, loveable, and eccentric. They are collectors.
Some of my collections in my studio. Can you tell I love color?!
If you’ve taken any of my classes, you’ll already know that I have tons of collections of various things – dolls, toys, books, vintage wallpaper books, beads, oddities – anything that I come across that I find interesting. I know that a lot of you are the same way.
Here’s your free illustration assignment:
Today, I just want you to photograph any collections you may have. What, you don’t collect anything, you say? Even a bunch of your pencils constitutes a collection.
A collection is a grouping of like objects. That can be very broad. Consider your collections of shoes, purses, flower bulbs, candles, pencil cups, journals, bottles of inks.
Some of my collection of vintage and contemporary toys. If you love these, be sure to check out my new course, My Toy Pitch, which starts July 5th!
What I’m going for here is to get you to hone in on your own personal style and taste.
Once you have your collection, take a look at it and reflect on the following:
- Is there a particular color that seems to run through all your objects in the collection?
- Is your collection earthy (like tulip bulbs) or metallic (like modern cooking utensils), or something else?
- Do you tend to like kitsch vintage items or do you crave elegant, beautiful items, or soft, fabric items, or something else?
- What adjectives would you use to describe your collection’s style?
All of this will help you start to think about your own personal style and what you love. The more you can find your style and include things you love in your art-making, the more enjoyable your art career will be, and the more appealing your art will be to other people. Why? Because people buy your joy!
Have fun! If you like, you can share your photos on social media and tag @makeartthatsells or #makeartthatsells. I love to see what you’re up to.
Can’t wait to see your obsessions!
Xo
Lilla
P.S. Head over to our Instagram feed for gorgeous student art and to check out other people’s quirky collections. And don’t forget to check our blog next week for your free illustration assignment #2!
