Building a lucrative career in the dreamy world of children’s book illustration is totally possible – and we’ve got the receipts to prove it (see below!).
It isn’t just about skill or style – for example, you also need to show an art director or publisher that you have what it takes to create a character that will appeal to children, and that you can recreate in different poses and with different expressions while still being identifiably the same character.
That’s where our student favorite Illustrating Children’s Books course comes in! Now in its tenth year (and twelfth iteration), you’ll spend five intense weeks creating an eye-catching ready-to-send pitch presentation that contains everything you need to show an art director or publisher so they give you that gig!
Meet your teachers! Former top art agent, Lilla (left), and children’s book art director and picture book author, Zoë (right), have tons of industry expertise to share with you!
Plus your brilliant teachers, Lilla and Zoë, have shedloads of expertise to share. As an art agent for 30 years, Lilla agented thousands of picture books, and she knows exactly what art directors and publishers are buying and what they want to see. Together with children’s book art director and picture book author, Zoë, she has tons of wisdom and industry insight to pass on. Plus they’re known for their warm, supportive and humorous style of teaching – there’s a reason why our students come back again and again.
Class starts Monday, July 7th – and you can save 20% by getting the Brilliant Kid Book bundle!
In the meantime, check out some of the incredible student success stories that we’ve heard about recently – if you want more then check out our student success archive here.
Now on with the show!
Lena Addink
Lena has had various successes since taking Illustrating Children’s Books, including, most recently, landing a picture book illustration deal to illustrate Marvellous Messages, by British actor Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Some of Lena’s successes since taking Illustrating Children’s Books, including illustrating Marvellous Messages by British actor Rose Ayling-Ellis (left), a gorgeous coloring book (center), and an illustration for Rebel Girls: Dads and Daughters (right).
Lena told us how much Illustrating Children’s Books and Make Art That Sells courses had helped her on her journey. She said: “Taking Make Art That Sells courses early on in my illustration career was genuinely transformative. The courses gave my learning a huge boost and helped me connect with a supportive creative community, where I made wonderful friends and benefited greatly from my relationships with the teachers.”
One of Lena’s beautiful spreads for Marvellous Messages, her first picture book illustration gig, which she landed after taking Illustrating Children’s Books.
About Illustrating Children’s Books, Lena said: “Illustrating Children’s Books in particular gave me a proper understanding of what makes a picture book work: how to tell a story visually, how to keep young readers engaged, and how to really bring characters to life. Learning to draw emotion, posture, and action made me see what illustrating picture books truly entails, and it really set me up for what’s expected in the industry.”
Another spread for Marvellous Messages, Lena’s first picture book illustration gig, which she landed after taking Illustrating Children’s Books.
Lena added: “Building on this foundation, My Arty Book Pitch was also a standout. This course helped me shape ideas for arty non-fiction books and build a portfolio that led directly to exciting opportunities. The skills I honed here, particularly my use of vibrant colors, textures, and decorative embellishments, as well as the way I draw characters, were precisely what caught the eye of a publisher. That work hugely contributed to me landing a massive book deal to illustrate Marvellous Messages, written by actor Rose Ayling-Ellis.”
Finally, Lena told us: “These courses were so much more than lessons: they helped shape my career and gave me the skills and specific insights needed for success in children’s book illustration.”
See more of Lena’s work on her website and Instagram.
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Natallia Bushuyeva
Art by Natallia for Illustrating Children’s Books. Our amazing teachers, art agent Lilla and children’s book art director Zoë, give you everything you need to land picture book illustration deals.
Natallia has illustrated not one but FOUR picture books since taking Illustrating Children’s Books. Her most recent book, Jeff the Frog: The Lost Hop, was previously published in Dutch and Chinese, and has now been published in English by Clavis Publishing.
Natallia’s fourth picture book since taking Illustrating Children’s Books has just been published in English by Clavis Publishing.
See more of Natallia’s work on her website and Instagram.
Sally Agar
Art from one of the NINE books Sally has illustrated since taking Illustrating Children’s Books – and she has three more on the way!
WOW – since taking Illustrating Children’s Books, Sally has illustrated NINE picture books and two sticker books, and is currently working on her next three books!
Art by Sally for Illustrating Children’s Books. In just five weeks, you’ll create a ready-to-send pitch that contains everything an art director or publisher needs to see to give you picture book illustration work.
Sally told us: “Make Art That Sells was my jumping-off point into children’s publishing: I absolutely loved the courses and learnt so much from them. My first picture book came about after I sent images I’d made for Make Art That Sells to a publisher!”
More of Sally’s work from her nine picture book and two sticker book deals. Imagine building a fabulous career like this in this amazing art market!
See more of Sally’s work on her website and Instagram.
Want to build a rewarding career like this? Class starts in just a few weeks, on Monday, July 7th – and don’t forget right now you can save 20% when you purchase the bundle! Grab your place now!
- Monday, July 7th: Illustrating Children’s Books starts TODAY! Join your teachers, former top art agent Lilla and brilliant children’s book art director Zoë, for five incredible weeks where you’ll learn a ton about the picture book industry and create a ready-to-send pitch that contains everything an art director needs to see to give you work! Sign up here.
- Monday, July 7th: Join Lilla and Zoë for a FREE live Zoom event at 12 noon EST/5 pm BST to celebrate the start of Illustrating Children’s Books and you could win a FREE place in class! You’ll find the link to join the Zoom in our Instagram and Facebook Stories and on the front page of our website on the day.
- Available NOW! Sign up for the Brilliant Kid Book Bundle and save a whopping 20% on art agent Lilla’s last two LIVE courses for the year, student-favorite Illustrating Children’s Books and the wonderful Assignment Bootcamp: Lettering. Find out more here.
- Next newsletter: Get Part 1 of your FREE five-part #MATSPrep warm-up illustration assignment for Illustrating Children’s Books!
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
