Learn how to make an art portfolio that gets you real illustration work!

Portfolio Club shows you exactly how to make an art portfolio over eight assignments of guided inspiration! Get eight fantastic Mini assignments and eight Big Assignments for an incredible range of art markets that are written exactly as you’d get them from a creative director or other client*, with your fee, deadline, and what to draw.

What I think you’ll find so interesting about your assignments is that I’ve written them in exactly the kinds of language an art director would use in an email including fees!

(*Please note these are entirely fictitious jobs, designed to help you create eye-catching art for your illustration portfolio!)

Gorgeous art by MATS student Heather Manning for Portfolio Club

What does Portfolio Club include to help you make an art portfolio? Here’s the nuts and bolts:

• • You’ll get eight mini assignments to get you warmed up
  • You’ll get eight big assignments 
  • Instant access to all class content from January – April so you can get started right away.
  • LIVE assignments from May – August 
  • A list of optional curated  art supplies, Lilla’s Art Carts, selected for each assignment with color palette suggestions.
  • Some bonus content, perhaps a Pinterest board or a video to give some additional inspiration.

YOU’LL ALSO GET:

• One live Zoom per month with me and your classmates – think of it as a gathering around the campfire – where you can get tips for your assignment, additional creative inspiration and ask me anything you like.  I may pop-up a few volunteers on screen to talk to me directly.
• Access to four monthly LIVE Zooms with me and your classmates – think of it as a gathering around the campfire – where you can get tips for your assignment, additional creative inspiration and ask me anything you like.  I may pop-up a few volunteers on screen to talk to me directly.  PLUS get instant access to recordings of the four Zooms from January to April.
• The Clubhouse: your private Facebook group where you can get to know your fellow students, get advice, share WIP, celebrate each other’s successes and more
• A public gallery to showcase your work
• The Closing Ceremony: a final LIVE Zoom with me and the rest of the class to finish out the course
• Access to all course content until March 10, 2027. Join the LIVE classes and assignments from May to August and then you have plenty of time to  go back and complete the self-paced content from earlier in the year.

‘Divine Desserts’ created for class by Erica Root

As for the specifics of the remaining LIVE content– they’re a closely guarded secret, to keep you engaged, motivated, and excited to see what comes next, but rest assured I have plenty of surprises up my sleeve guaranteed to delight: you’re going to be so invested in seeing what comes next!

This course includes the biggest mix of products and markets we’ve ever had and I know that you’re going to love the assignments as much as I’ve enjoyed creating them!

Don’t miss out. Join Portfolio Club  today!

Introducing Lilla’s Art Cart!

You’ll get a list of suggested art supplies, called Lilla’s Art Cart, for each of the eight monthly Portfolio Club assignments I’ve written for you. Lilla’s Art Carts are optional and can be purchased from Blick.com

Guess what? I’ve customized the list for each monthly assignment—each with its own special color palette!

To view the list for Portfolio Club’s  May Art Cart click the image below. Art Carts are optional and are not required to complete the course.

Plus, for each month’s Art Cart, I’ve added a few unexpected supplies like perhaps an unusual color of deep burgundy gouache, a smudgy lavender pastel or even copper metallic leaf or embroidery floss! It might include a special watercolor pad or a journal that I love, but also some things that I can’t tell you about, so that you get to enjoy the monthly surprise. I’ve thrown in some wild supplies to spice up your art-making!

Some of my recent artwork. I love to mix up traditional and digital media.

Then, when we meet in class on Zoom on a scheduled Friday, I’ll demonstrate the materials in a video to share some techniques and answer your questions, so you get even more motivated. So these monthly Zoom videos should answer all your questions!

Note that the supplies are completely optional, and you may already have some of them in your own stash! And if you don’t have exactly the same ones, it’s fine simply to use whatever you have already have, or buy some from your local store.

Why did I create the Art Carts for my Portfolio Club course?

• As we artists know, art supplies are excellent motivators! I wanted to add some fun and excitement to your art-making.
• The monthly Art Cart supply lists are a way for you to explore some new materials which will enrich your art making.
• You may find some new ways of working.
• You’ll learn about all kinds of supplies and ways to use them that you might not be familiar with.
• It’s fun to buy art supplies!

ART CART FAQs

Q: How does it work?

A: In the classroom, ahead of each new monthly assignment, you’ll get the new Art Cart list with links, which will take you to our own MATS page on Blick.com, where you can purchase any or all of the supplies for class.

Q: Do I need to buy everything on the Art Cart list each month?

A: Definitely not! You may have some of these things already, or you may want to just learn about then and decide later to buy. You can pick and choose.

Q: “But Lilla,” you say, “I work digitally. Do I need to buy traditional art supplies? Can I take Portfolio Club if I work digitally?”

A: I’m so glad you asked! You can work totally digitally for class, absolutely!

That said, as an agent I would say that the majority of my artists worked both digitally and traditionally. Why? It adds richness to your work. There are things that only traditional media can do, like how watercolor explodes in a unique way in water, how pastel get messy and smudge in their own way, as your fingers get covered in lots of different colors, and so forth. Sometimes they would make watercolor-y textures to bring into Procreate, or the draw and paint objects and things traditionally and then bring them in and move them around. I myself use both Procreate and traditional supplies because I love the freedom of Procreate but the sensuousness and lushness of traditional media. There’s no right or wrong; it’s what you love to do, and this course is the perfect class to try things out—as a beginner or even a seasoned, working illustrator! All levels are welcome.

I just love playing with and smushing pastels and other supplies, and I can’t wait to share some demos with you.

Q: I’m a working illustrator/artist and already have my way of working. Is this for me?

A: Congrats! Yes, because the greater variety of materials, the more opportunities are open to you. For example, if you show in your portfolio or on Instagram a lush, deep-colored piece of art plus a bold, graphic, vibrant piece, you attract both kinds of jobs.

Q: I’m kinda afraid. I’m a beginner.

A: No worries! You can simply do little tiny fun experiments to test out the supplies like what I’ll show in the monthly Zooms. You won’t feel overwhelmed, and in fact, you will learn a ton and be super motivated!

Q: Where can I find each month’s Art Cart?

A: It’s very simple—the lists will be in the classroom and you’ll also find the Art Carts here . You simply click on the link over to the wonderful Blick site to get the supplies. You can buy everything a la carte, picking and choosing what you want, so if you already have something, you can skip it.

I suggest that you order in advance so you have everything you need in time for each monthly assignment, so for January for example , go ahead and order new so you have everything by January 5th for the Mini assignment or January 7th for the Big assignment or January 9th for the live Zoom where I’ll demo the materials and answer questions.

Q: Is it an affiliate programme?

A: Yes, I’m delighted to be an affiliate to Blick.com, a great independent company, so we get a tiny percentage of sales, but this doesn’t affect your prices of the supplies. I have used and love everything that I’m including in the Art Carts (unless otherwise stated). And remember, it’s totally optional to buy these supplies and they are not required for the Portfolio Club course. Students often ask me about my art supplies and this is an easy way to  recommend them.

Q: Do I need to use these particular supplies?

No, you can use whatever supplies you have. Think of this as a gorgeous addition to try out new art supplies .

View all Lilla’s Art Carts here.

Portfolio Club is open to anyone, regardless of ability and experience, whether you’ve done another Make Art That Sells course before or not. It’s a great way to build on previous Make Art That Sells courses or to run alongside one of our self-paced courses, but it’s also a fun standalone course that you can fit around other commitments.

Portfolio Club is for you if:

• You’re a seasoned professional looking for some fresh, market-savvy art for your portfolio
• You’re a newbie who wants to learn how to make an art portfolio from scratch with focus and direction
• You really love making art and want assignments that are inspiring and awesome
• You want to play with a new medium or explore fresh styles
• You want professional level assignments to stretch you to create fresh, signature pieces that are ready to sell in multiple markets.
• You want the kind of assignments which are proven to get work
• You want cutting-edge trend and inspiration from an art agent who licensed and commissioned projects for artists every single day
• You don’t have time for an intensive learning experience but want to stay on track and accountable, so you can create a strong body of work over several months
• You want access to a community of talented, supportive artists
• You want to treat yourself, do something for you and have fun making art
• You love Lilla’s assignments and want more of them!

Art by Annie Bakst from an assignment set by Lilla Rogers

Why you should sign up

• • You’ll get an incredible mix of assignments – eight in total (one starter Mini assignment and one fabulous assignment per month) – each of which will either help you develop and refine your artistic style, or make a piece of art for a specific art market based on my 30 years of agent expertise, or something else that will be great for your creative career.
  • You’ll get a mix of instant-access content to work on at your own pace, PLUS  LIVE content to keep you accountable
  • It will help you learn which markets you want to focus on – which ones you’re drawn to, excited about, and which light you up.
  • You get eight joyful assignments to look forward to. It’s time to stop doom scrolling!

Art for class by Cyndi Wojciechowski and Tjarda-Borsboom

Why is Portfolio Club great for your portfolio?

I have worked in the creative industry for more than four decades, and for three of those decades I was a renowned art agent who represented dozens of professional artists from all around the world. If you want to know how to make an art portfolio that attracts real clients, I can tell you from experience: it starts with the right assignments.

That meant that every week I saw what jobs my artists were getting: what publishers, art directors, creative directors and other clients were looking for, which markets were buying a ton of art, and more – and I’ve packaged all of that knowledge and wisdom up into the wonderful assignments I’m writing for you.

Deadlines are a creative person’s best friend

The LIVE content from May to August will keep you motivated and accountable, with a huge friendly group of fellow creatives from all around the world to cheer you on your way.

Let’s get started… sign up today!

Join Lilla in Portfolio Club and get assignments based on real-world gigs!

I’m an illustrator, author, speaker, columnist, and a former art agent with more than four decades of experience.

My love for art inspired me to pursue a degree in fine art in San Francisco, followed by a second degree in illustration. I built a successful illustration career in New York City in the 1980s, with agents in New York, Paris and Tokyo, and with clients including Rolling Stone magazine, The New York Times magazine, the Grammys, Penguin Random House, Vogue, and many more.

In 1984, I set up Lilla Rogers Studio, a visionary art agency that represented over four dozen artists from around the world and sold art for products worth more than $200 million in the 30 years its doors were open.

I’ve also taught everyone from little kids to professional artists. In 2013, I co-founded Make Art That Sells, teaching innovative illustration and other courses online, and have since taught more than 30,000 students from over 100 countries, many of whom come back again and again, and many of whom have achieved professional success. I also teach courses on CreativeBug and in-person at art retreats in Europe.

Illustrations by Lilla Rogers. Get assignments from a top art agent and illustrator

I pride myself on the effectiveness of my teaching, and making learning with me accessible, achievable and fun. As a creative person myself, I know how to gear my teaching towards creative minds, and bring out the very best in them. You’ll be amazed what you can do!

I’ve mentored internationally renowned artists and lectured at venues such as ICON: The Illustration Conference, Printsource NY, the Creative Connection Event, art colleges and corporations. I am frequently interviewed for my expertise as an agent, trendsetter, and artist. My book, I Just Like to Make Things, was a best-seller in Business of Art on Amazon, and I write a regular column for Uppercase magazine.

Don’t miss out, sign up today!

INSTANT ACCESS  (January to April)

• You’ll get 4 months of gorgeous content to access now!  Each month includes a fun mini assignment, a big assignment, some bonus inspiration and a replay of the group zoom and a class demo.

LIVE CONTENT (May to August)

• You’ll get a fun mini assignment on the first Monday of every month.
• You’ll get your beautifully-presented professional-level assignment on Wednesday of the same week.
• On Friday of that week you’ll enjoy a lively, energizing Zoom with me and your fellow students.
• Plus join me for the Closing Ceremony live Zoom at the end of the course.

Grab a copy of the full PDF schedule here

The Facebook group will always be open for chat, support, feedback on WIP, tips and advice and more. Grab your marshmallows and your sketchbook and join us! Dib dib!

Q: But wait, didn’t the class start in January? Will I be missing out?

A: Not at all, you’ll get access to all the content produced so far and you can join the live classes from May to August. All content is available to you until March 10, 2027 so you have plenty of time to finish all eight assignments.

Join the fun.  Sign up today!

How do you know what you should have in your portfolio in order to attract paying jobs? If you’re learning how to make an art portfolio, my playful illustration Bingo Board is the perfect place to start! I created it for the artists I represented, and now I’ve updated it for 2026. It’s an easy way to see what you already have in your portfolio and where there are gaps.

My Make Art That Sells courses do exactly that: make the kinds of portfolio pieces that get you commissions!

Get your free Bingo Board here!

Simply download your free copy of my 2026 Bingo Board. Check off the boxes that you already have in your portfolio, then see what else you need to add in.

Then make a plan: how are you going to fill the gaps? Understanding how to make an art portfolio means knowing which markets to target. I’ve written the assignments for Portfolio Club based on my 30 years of experience as an art agent, because I know exactly what art directors, publishers and other clients are looking for, so it’s the perfect – and the most fun – way to fill any holes in your portfolio.

Make eye-catching portfolio pieces, like this by Make Art That Sells student Darcie Olley, plus monthly live Zooms, a lively Facebook group, and more. 

I look forward to seeing you in class! Sign up TODAY!

If you have a question about Make Art That Sells please check these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) first. If you do not find an answer to your question here please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Q: Lilla, how do you know what kinds of assignments to create for your students?

Lilla: As an art agent, I assigned jobs to my artists every single day—a total of 13,000 jobs over 30 years! I know what clients want to see, what they’re looking for, which topics are hot, which color palettes are exciting, and which products are selling like crazy, and build my assignments around that.

Q: What markets are the assignments geared toward?

Lilla: All of the assignments for Portfolio Club are geared toward the top markets that commission lots of art: maybe home décor, bolt fabric, children’s books, wall décor, stationery, gift, editorial (magazines), children’s products and apparel, or journals—to name a few.

Q: Who should take this course? Is this for people learning how to make an art portfolio or for working pros?

Lilla: Both! The course is for anyone who wants to have a great time making their work better and market-ready in a supportive environment. All levels, all styles are welcome. I secretly design the assignments so that everyone benefits. We have top artists in class as well as newbies just looking to grow their work. There’s a lot of energy in my courses, and friendships develop that last for years.

Q: Can you give us a hint of what the assignments will be?

Lilla: 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. All I can tell you is 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!

Q: Will Portfolio Club teach me how to make an art portfolio from scratch?
Lilla: Absolutely! Portfolio Club is designed to help you build a professional illustration portfolio piece by piece, month by month. Each assignment targets a different market, so by the end of the course you’ll have a well-rounded portfolio ready to attract paying clients. Whether you’re starting from zero or refreshing an existing body of work, the assignments will guide you.

Q: Who’s it for?

Whether you’re just starting to figure out how to make an art portfolio or you’re a seasoned pro looking to refresh yours, Portfolio Club is open to anyone, regardless of ability and experience. It’s a great way to build on previous Make Art That Sells courses or to run alongside one of our self-paced courses, but it’s also a fun standalone course that you can fit around other commitments.

Q: I’ve never taken an online class before. How does it work? Do I need to be at my computer at a certain time?

A: You only need to be online at a certain time if you want to join the live monthly sessions. If you can’t join live, replays will be saved in the classroom for you to view when it suits you.

Q: What format is the class taught in?

A: The class consists of a series of Minis and Assignment PDFs delivered via a password-protected online classroom.

Q: Can I interact with Lilla during the course?

A: You can comment and ask questions during Lilla’s monthly live sessions in our private Facebook group. Lilla may pop in from time to time, so keep an eye out! Remember you can always ask questions of the super-supportive MATS community in the private group.

Q: How much time will the class take?

A: Portfolio Club is designed so you can keep up even if you have a full-time job or other significant commitments. There is only 1 big assignment per month (plus a mini assignment).

Q: I will be away for some of the time the class is running. Does this matter?

A: Portfolio Club is spread out over several months so it’s likely that most students will be away at some point. With a month to complete each assignment, you should be fine. If you miss the deadline for sharing your art in the public gallery each month, you’re welcome to share in the class Facebook group for peer feedback.

Q: But wait, didn’t the class start in January? Will I be missing out?

A: Not at all, you’ll get access to all the content produced so far and you can join the live classes from May to August. All content is available to you until March 10, 2027 so you have plenty of time to finish all eight assignments.

Q: Do I need any special materials?

A: The course looks at art using a variety of media. We encourage you to try new things, so it is up to you. Use any materials you like – digital or traditional. Just get out your favorite art supplies! You can use a scanner or even your smartphone camera to photograph your work. You may find it useful to have access to a printer to print out course materials.

Q: Do I need any special software?

A: As with all MATS classes, it’s possible to complete the entire course using traditional techniques (painting, drawing, etc.), but if you wish to complete the assignments digitally you’ll need basic knowledge of Photoshop or Illustrator. Photograph or scan in your assignments to showcase your work at its best.

Q: Will I be able to communicate with others in the class?

A: Yes, you’ll be able to communicate in the private Facebook group (where you can also share your work). This is a great chance to connect with other artists and designers, get different perspectives and share your work.

Q: Is this an art class or a business class?

A: Lilla: Both! The course is for anyone who wants to have a great time making their work better and market-ready in a supportive environment. All levels, all styles are welcome. I secretly design the assignments so that everyone benefits. We have top artists in class as well as newbies just looking to grow their work. There’s a lot of energy in my courses, and friendships develop that last for years.

Sign up for Portfolio Club today!

By registering for any of the Make Art That Sells classes and participating in any of the Make Art That Sells community areas, please be aware you are agreeing to the following Terms & Conditions:

• You agree that Make Art That Sells may give permission to select art directors to view the finished works submitted for critique. Should they be interested in working with you, Make Art That Sells will put you in contact and you can continue your discussions directly.
• You give permission for Make Art That Sells to use any images you submit for critique in any class, or share in the class community area, to be included in any future class-related marketing or promotional strategies, online or offline. You will always be credited and will retain the rights to your work.
• You agree to the class Ground Rules which are as follows: (i) Stay open (ii) Be positive (iii) No negative critique of others (iv) No excuses are necessary. If you miss a deadline for submitting your assignment that is fine, but the entire class does not need to know the reasons for that.
• You acknowledge that Make Art That Sells and Do What You Love Ltd are the owner(s) or licensee(s) of all intellectual property rights in the site and the digital products you purchase, including any databases that hold relevant information about the site and its products. They are protected by copyright or trademark registration and you may only use any of the digital products in line with these terms.
• You acknowledge that all of the digital products that are available for sale on our site are owned or controlled by our licensors, or us. Upon payment of the price for any of these digital products, we grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the digital products for your own personal, non-commercial use.
• You agree that you shall not redistribute, transmit, assign, sell, commercially exploit, broadcast, modify, adapt, edit, sub-license, rent, share, lend, or transfer any digital products that you purchase through this site, or any of the contents delivered via Live Zoom or within our private communities.
• You acknowledge that Make Art That Sells reserves the right to delete any inappropriate comments in the classroom or any of the class-related community spaces, in order to provide and maintain a supportive classroom environment.
• You confirm that you are purchasing a single license for this course for your individual use only. To enquire about educational/corporate rates (for official groups of 10 or more) please send an email to hello [at] makeartthatsells.com.
• You acknowledge that Lilla Rogers Studio/Make Art That Sells reserves the right to replace any advertised content with alternative content of equivalent value without notice
• You acknowledge that all sales are final and no refunds will be given before, during or after class.
• You acknowledge that, if paying in installments, no part-payments will be refunded should you cancel your place before class begins.
• All courses are priced in GBP £. Any approximate $ equivalents given are for reference only. When paying by PayPal, you will be charged in your local currency at the prevailing PayPal exchange rate.
• You give permission for your email address to be added to the mailing lists of Lilla Rogers Studio, Make Art That Sells and Do What You Love. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Privacy Policy

We do not store credit card details nor do we share customer details with any 3rd parties.

Delivery Policy

All of the MATS Assignment Bootcamp lessons are delivered online in a private password-protected classroom. We do not deliver physical products in the post. Our online communities are offered via individual Facebook groups, to which you can request access, which will be granted once your enrolment has been confirmed. You can access the private classroom for your course via the Account section of this website, on or after the advertised start date of the course. For self-paced classes, you can access the private classroom via the Account section of this website, as soon as your purchase is complete.

Make Art That Sells reserves the right to change the time of any advertised Live Review without notice, for any reason whatsoever. If you have any issues accessing classrooms you can contact us at [email protected] where we will always endeavor to respond within 72 hours.

You can view our full detailed terms & conditions here: https://makeartthatsells.com/terms-conditions/

Make Art That Sells, 2026