Hurry hurry HURRY – our most popular (and best value) online course, Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio, starts TODAY! In this course, you’ll get professional level illustration assignments and pack your portfolio with gorgeous art designed to land you paying gigs. Every year our students get jobs and representation because of art that they created for Assignment Bootcamp – check out last week’s blog here for some recent success stories and (because we couldn’t fit them all in one newsletter) look out for more on Thursday.
What is Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio anyway? Over three months, from today to the end of March, you’ll get something every single Monday that all adds up to help you make three brilliant bang-up-to-date portfolio pieces geared toward the hottest markets right now. The subject matter is playful and marketable, and is drawn from the trend reports that Lilla creates for her own highly-successful artists. Now you can get a sneak peek at that inside information!
How does Lilla create the assignments? What markets will they be for this year? Why Assignment Bootcamp anyway? We caught up with Lilla to find out – and to get her to spill the beans on what the assignments will include this year.
MATS: So Lilla – why should someone take Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio?
Lilla says: “Here’s what I want you to know about Assignment Bootcamp. You’re going to make some incredible art for your portfolio, based on which art markets are really hot right now, to help you get more work. It’s perfect for all levels, from beginners right up to professional artists – I carefully design the assignments so that everyone can shine. It’s great for any amount of time that you might have. If you’re going to take My Arty Book Pitch or Creating Collections for Home Décor then it will set you up really nicely for those, although it’s also brilliant as a standalone course. And tons of my students repeat it year after year. Why? Because it’s a really enjoyable way to make art and it gets you work (don’t forget: people buy your joy!).”
Art by Make Art That Sells student Bronte Rose Marando for Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio (left). Bronte landed a gig illustrating a middle grade mystery series for Walker Books because they loved the character she created for Bootcamp so much (right).
MATS: How does it work?
Lilla says: “If you’ve taken any of my courses already, you already know that I like to break things down into steps, so that you never get overwhelmed. Assignment Bootcamp is that approach on steroids! Every week you’ll get something from me – maybe a mini assignment, maybe a video lesson, maybe a mood board or something else – that will come together to make a finished portfolio piece.”
MATS: How do you know what kinds of assignments to create for Assignment Bootcamp?
Lilla says: “As an art agent, I assign jobs to my artists every single day. I know what clients want to see, what they assign, what they’re looking for, which imagery is hot, which color palettes are exciting, and which products are selling like gangbusters. Then I use all of that incredible information plus a healthy dose of whimsy to come up with brand new assignments for my Bootcamp students, just like the ones I give to my artists. It’s hugely important to me that my Bootcamp students are surprised and delighted by all of the assignments, so I also put a lot of time into thinking of something playful and fun that will help you create great art whatever level you’re at. It’s a challenge that I throw myself into year after year!”
Art by Make Art That Sells student Socorro Vega for Assignment Bootcamp: Portfolio. Fill your portfolio with beautiful art like this for the same price as a couple of lattes a week.
MATS: Why did you create Bootcamp in the first place, and why do you think it’s so popular?
Lilla says: “My students told me that they really loved the assignments that they got in other Make Art That Sells courses, so they wanted a course that was just assignments! And at the same time, my inbox was regularly filled with artists wishing to be represented. While I frequently liked the style of the work, I knew that their current images would NOT attract jobs. It kinda broke my heart: here were artists with great talent—some even with four-year art degrees—submitting work to me, and yet the work was not real-world based! It would not pull jobs.”
Lilla continues: “So I created an assignment course based on professional briefs: Assignment Bootcamp was born. It has run every year since because it really works! Students have gotten work directly from their class assignments. Plus it’s incredibly fun and super affordable – averaged out over the three months, it costs about the same as having a latte a couple of times a week, and for that you get something from me every single week. And every year we get students emailing in to ask if we can please run it all year round!”
Art for Assignment Bootcamp by Make Art That Sells student Brooke O’Neill. Brooke has now landed representation with Astound US, who told her that they particularly loved this illustration when looking at her work.
MATS: Who is Bootcamp for – is it just for professionals or for people just starting out?
Lilla says: “Anybody! It’s for anyone who wants to have a great time making their work better and market-ready in a supportive environment. Even if you’re just looking for a rich, rewarding art experience every week over three months. All levels, all styles are welcome. I secretly design the assignments so that everyone benefits. We have top artists in the class as well as newbies. There’s a lot of energy in the course, and friendships develop that last for years.”
MATS: What markets will the assignments be for this year?
Lilla says: “Great question. It’s always a surprise each month! They’re all geared toward the top markets that commission lots of art. Each year it varies: it might be home décor, bolt fabric, children’s book illustration, wall décor, gift, magazine, baby products, journals … The only way to find out is to sign up (or wait until we start sharing student art on our Instagram feed and wish you’d signed up!).”
Art by Make Art That Sells student Patti Blau for Assignment Bootcamp. Get your first Mini assignment as soon as you sign up!
MATS: So, can you tell us what this year’s assignments will be?
Lilla says: ”Ha ha – nope! Part of the way I motivate artists is to build a level of suspense over the weeks. It’s the way I teach—to break everything down into bite-sized bits so students don’t get overwhelmed, and then to build up to the final piece. I absolutely love writing the assignments, and coming up with fresh and unexpected themes! And then I get to marvel at the vast array of fantastic work that comes out of the class!”
MATS: Oh, go on. Beans, Lilla!
Lilla says: “Okay okay. Here’s a little hint: the assignments will be about gorgeous prints and patterns, journals, and illustrated book covers, and the artists will take a little quiz to create their own made-up book title. You’ll have three completely new assignments this time round – so if you’ve come to expect a certain format in the final month then you’re in for a surprise!”
MATS: Ooh! Anything else?
Lilla says: “I can tell you that there will be twists, turns and surprises to keep the students amused and motivated and to ensure that the art you make stays fresh. Plus there’ll be no time to tense up and overthink what you’re doing, so you can just make beautiful art. But that’s all I’m saying! I can’t wait to see what you’re all going to do.”
Us either – don’t miss out, sign up here and get your first Mini assignment right now!
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
P.S.
Got questions about the course? Want to feel energized and inspired about your art career? Want to see Lilla spill some beans?
Join Lilla for a FREE live Zoom event TODAY Monday, January 9th, at 12 noon ET/5 pm GMT. She’ll be talking you through the FREE #MATSprep warm-up exercise (if you missed it, catch up here – then scroll down for a fab BONUS assignment) and answering your questions. Plus she’ll be dropping some major hints about what to expect from Bootcamp this year (beans everywhere!) and showing off some beautiful products that she’s agented that relate to this year’s assignments. Don’t miss it! Set an alarm on your phone now and get the link to join on the front page of our website at www.makeartthatsells.com or in our Instagram Stories.
