#MYMATSPREP Day 1: Character

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 newest 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 Minette. (This is an actual photo of mine of one of my relatives!) Jot down who you think this person is (you can make up anything!) and then draw Minette in your own style! Add a scene if you like. Where is she?

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.