Look at these gorgeous handmade portfolios that were submitted to me by by Lydia Graves, Ruth Burrows and Fay Ford, to whom I then offered representation.
Lilla here. As many of you will know, I was an art agent for 30 years, representing 48 brilliant artists from around the world through my agency, Lilla Rogers Studio.
Today I want to show you some of the beautiful portfolios which artists sent to me which ended up landing them representation. I was blown away by these stunning handmade portfolios, especially as it’s so unusual to receive a printed out book like this, so they really caught my attention.
If I was already interested in their art and representing them, then getting something like these portfolios and the time they took to make these books was a great sign of how committed they are and that they were interested in having me as an agent. It pushed me over the line.
Art for class by Make Art That Sells student Fay Ford, who was represented by Lilla Rogers Studio.
What did I as an art agent look for in an artist’s work when deciding whether to offer representation?
- Did I and the team feel that their art would get work?
- There are certain key skills I look for in an artist’s portfolio, like the ability to draw faces, being able to do lettering, and a refined use of color, because I know that those are some of the things that’s going to get them a ton of work. (Want to hone your skills? Be sure to check out Lilla’s Art Recipes: Drawing Faces, Assignment Bootcamp: Lettering, and Color Quest – all at least 30% off right now in our huge sale!)
- Was the style gorgeous?
Here’s your opportunity to find out more….
Join art agent Margo (left) and me (center) plus amazing agented author-illustrator Tamisha Anthony (right) for a FREE Zoom TOMORROW all about getting an art agent! Ask us anything!
If you want to join me on a deep dive into how to get an art agent, be sure to join me for a FREE live Zoom event TOMORROW, Tuesday, November 25th at 3 pm ET/8pm GMT!
I’m so excited to chat with brilliant art agent Margo Tantau – who is actively looking for artists to represent – plus talented author-illustrator Tamisha Anthony, who’ll be talking about her experience of getting and having an agent.
A closer look at some of the art which artists sent to me in the hopes of landing representation. I’ll be showing these in the Zoom tomorrow and sharing what I loved about them. Don’t miss it!
Learn everything you want to know about why and how to get an art agent: discover what agents look for, what to put in your email to them, what to submit, and what they’re looking for.
We’ll be taking your questions and giving away a FREE place on a Make Art That Sells course! Don’t miss it – set a reminder now!
Art for class by Make Art That Sells student Lydia Graves, whom I also represented.
Join the Zoom here! You’ll find the link to join in tomorrow’s newsletter and blog, in our Instagram and Facebook Stories tomorrow, and on the front page of our website at www.makeartthatsells.com.
- ON NOW! Save up to 50% off our career-changing courses in our huge annual sale! Click here to explore our sale pages, or download your FREE copy of our Sale Guide here. Get inspiring worksheets plus a 2026 calendar in our gorgeous free Playbook & Planner, Download your copy here.
- TOMORROW, November 25th: FREE ZOOM at 3 pm ET/8 pm GMT with Lilla plus special guests top art agent Margo Tantau and brilliant author-illustrator Tamisha Anthony. Learn how to submit your art to agents from two agents with decades of experience plus an author-illustrator who has been there. Plus FREE course giveaway!
- Friday, December 5th: Celebrate the final day of our huge annual sale with Lilla in conversation with the brilliant and much-loved Meera Lee Patel at 12 noon ET/5 pm GMT in this FREE Zoom. Plus a FREE course giveaway!
Lots of love
