Art agent Lilla’s small-group mentorship intensive, Inner Circle, quickly sold out both times we ran it in 2025. It’s running just once in 2026, and with places strictly limited to 12 and EIGHT spots already gone, it looks likely to sell out again – so if you want in, sign up now!
Inner Circle is the opportunity of a lifetime to mine Lilla’s wisdom and experience gleaned from 40 years in the creative industry, as an art agent, an illustrator, an author, a columnist, an educator, a speaker and more.
The exact syllabus is geared towards the specific needs of the group. Participants enjoy six weeks of lively group meetings with Lilla and the rest of the class, with weekly assignments, and plenty of time to ask Lilla questions and get advice that will help them home in on their art careers with laser focus
Where would you love your career to be one year from now? Let art agent Lilla help you figure out your goals and how to achieve them with her decades of experience. Sign up now.
Plus every participant gets to enjoy a warm private 1:1 meeting with Lilla within six weeks of the end of the mentorship in order to discuss next steps, what they’ve been working on since Inner Circle, and anything else they want to bring up.
If you’ve taken a Make Art That Sells class before, you’ll know that we send out a survey at the end of class to find out what you thought of it.
One thing we asked previous Inner Circle participants was why they signed up for mentoring in the first place: what did they hope to get out of it? And did they get it? How would they describe the experience to a friend? Here’s what they told us.
Christy Obalek
Some of the art Christy created during Inner Circle.
Q. How would you describe Inner Circle to a friend?
Imagine getting together with a small group of friends and having The Queen of Illustration serve tea and cookies while simultaneously looking over your shoulder to see what you’re painting, sharing her wisdom, and making sure you stay accountable. Invaluable.
Q. Please use this space to share any thoughts you have about the mentorship programme.
Inner Circle was the best investment I’ve ever made, full stop. The guidance from Lilla helped me to dig deep and see my work through her eyes. I am now better equipped to figure out where I need to improve my work, what is already working, and remind myself to slow down and enjoy the process. I wasn’t sure at first if I’d enjoy the group Zoom sessions, but they turned out to be the community I didn’t know I needed. All together it was a fabulous experience that I’d recommend to anyone looking to dive into their best work ever. Thank you Lilla!
One of the pieces of art which Christy and Lilla worked on together during Inner Circle: before (left) and after (right). Lilla can look at your art, identify your strengths, and offer supportive feedback on how to make it even better.
Pallak Shah
Pallak (left) and some of her art for Illustrating Children’s Books (center and right).
Q. Why did you sign up for Inner Circle? Was it what you were expecting?
I wanted someone to look at my art style from a unique perspective, and after doing so many Make Art That Sells courses, I’m glad I found the mentor I was looking for in Lilla. She has very lovingly guided all of us through our varied experiences so beautifully. And yes, it was way better than my expectations. Lilla has definitely instilled a sense of confidence in me, and now I take pride in my art style. She pulls out so many good things in a piece, and it’s only after she points it out that we realize it.
Q. How would you describe Inner Circle to a friend?
Inner Circle is the best thing I ever did for myself. Along with giving me a sense of pride and joy in my work, I met so many lovely people around the globe. And the best part of the entire community was they were so supportive and helpful in giving their feedback on Facebook. I am on the other side of the globe and everyone very kindly accommodated me to go first for reviews and were very sweet to have my son peeking and sleeping through some of the zoom sessions.
Kylee Conriquez
Kylee (left) and some of her art (right).
Q. How did you find the group sessions?
Fun, challenging, stretching, valuable. I needed that feedback from Lilla to boost my career, that’s what I knew I was missing. I am forever grateful to Lilla for creating Inner Circle. I also found a group of amazing artists where we helped keep each other motivated.
Some of the art Kylee created during Inner Circle.
Q. How has your work improved or changed over the course of Inner Circle? What was the most valuable thing you learned from Lilla?
Lilla helped me focus on work in a particular market to start off with and that already improved my direction. Her feedback on my illustrations helped me make my work EVEN BETTER.
Q. Please use this space to share any thoughts you have about the mentorship programme.
I absolutely loved it. I’m happy that Lilla took the time with each of us every session. I felt supported and like she answered my questions that I had each meeting. I can’t wait for our 1:1 so she can see all that I worked on since the class! Lilla is AMAZING and I’m so thankful for her and the rest of the artists in IC.
Thanks all! We can’t wait to see what you’re all going to achieve as you go from strength to strength in your creative careers!
Do you want to take part in this unique small group mentorship intensive and transform your art and your career?
Then hurry hurry HURRY – there are just four spots left! Class runs from October 12th to November 20th, and you can split the cost over the next several months to make it as accessible as possible.
You’ll get twice-weekly live group meetings with Lilla and the rest of the participants, a warm, supportive live 1:1 with Lilla after the intensive has finished, personalized assignments, tons of tips and advice to take your art and your creative career to the next level and more.
Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity – find out more and sign up here.
- Our student favorite, Illustrating Children’s Books, returns for the thirteenth time on Monday, April 27th. Find out more and sign up here.
- Where could your art career be in 12 months’ time with a little help from a former art agent with more than four decades of experience in the business? Lilla’s small-group mentorship intensive, Inner Circle, will run just once in 2026, from October 12th to November 20th, and there are just four spots left! Don’t miss out on this opportunity of a lifetime to get mentored by an industry expert – find out more and sign up here.
- Next newsletter: What REALLY happens in a Make Art That Sells team meeting??
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
