#MYMATSPREP: Character (Day 1)

Lilla here. :-) I’m excited about this MATS Prep! For the next five days, I’m going to help you grow your work to prepare you for our highly acclaimed course, Illustrating Children’s Books. For the next week we are going to imagine that you have just been commissioned to illustrate a children’s book.

I’m going to share a series of fun exercises to help you tackle your project. I’d love to see what you do so be sure to share it on social media! Share your images on Instagram: Tag us @makeartthatsells and use hashtags #mymatsprep and #matskidbook

So, let’s say you have just received a commission to illustrate a children’s book. You’ve been sent the manuscript. Now what? One of the first things you’ll want to do is to get to know the main character, like how an actor “becomes” the character. So for today’s MATS Prep, you’re going to delve into exploring a character.

Here’s Jitna. Jot down thoughts about this child such as personality, what she’s doing, where she is (you can make up anything!) and then draw Jitna in your own style! Check out her clothing, accessories, hair style, and expression. Add a scene if you like.

Have fun, be quirky, be eccentric, be you. Let your intuition play. Play pretend. Make up a story. All styles and all levels are welcome to join in. We are an open, supportive community here and encourage all levels of talent.

I’m thinking that you will draw her and perhaps even write all kinds of stuff around her telling where she lives, what she is about, her story…

I can’t wait to obsess on Instagram and see what you come up with!

Share your images on Instagram: Tag us @makeartthatsells and use hashtags #mymatsprep and #matskidbook

Lilla’s Tip of the Day: I want to remind you that talent is not finite. I promise you that you will absolutely get better at your art if you keep learning and making art. Your style will evolve, your drawing ability will improve, your color palettes will be richer and more beautiful, and your composition will flow more easily. As an agent (and an artist) I’ve seen this over and over. Talent, like a muscle, grows with use.