Lilla here. Oh, man, you are a whole bunch of brilliant artists! You delight me with your imagination, sensitivity, talent. I’ve loved seeing all the art you’ve created over the past couple of weeks for this MATSprep. I love to teach my intensive live courses, like Illustrating Children’s Books, for exactly that reason: it’s amazing to see how the work blossoms over the five jam-packed weeks. The passion and achievement of our students are awe-inspiring.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed taking part in this free #MATSprep as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it and seeing all your beautiful art. It gives you a taste of my teaching style, to see if it’s a good fit, and it’s also a great way to warm up and get ready for Illustrating Children’s Books, which starts NEXT MONDAY, May 23rd. Don’t forget, this course won’t run again until 2023 – don’t miss out: sign up here.
Here’s the final part of your MATSprep assignment:
Today, for our last day of Prep, you’re going to live the life of a children’s book illustrator. It’s about placing a character into an environment. That’s the nuts and bolts of illustrating a kid book, and it’s just one of the things you’re going to learn in Illustrating Children’s Books.
I want you to take your drawing of me from the very first prep and place me into any scene that you’ve done so far. If you’re just joining us, head over to our blog to catch up.
Where am I? Am I enjoying the environment? Am I scared? Brave? Create a story in your head for me. Play. Daydream. This is your art and you’re the boss of it!
Share your art!
Once you’re done, share your art on social media so I can see it, and be sure to tag @makeartthatsells and use the hashtag #MATSprep so I can find it.
Art by Make Art That Sells student Janie Secker for Illustrating Children’s Books. Janie is now represented by me after I fell in love with her art in class. I’m always looking out for new artists to represent – book your place in Illustrating Children’s Books now and maybe you’ll be next!
Your final task, after you’ve uploaded your art to our gallery, is to look back over everything you’ve done for this prep. Take a minute to appreciate how far you’ve come. Congratulate yourself. Let it sink in. If you’ve grown this much in just five short assignments, just think how much you can achieve in five wonderful weeks!
Lots of love
P.S. Mark your calendars! Join me next Monday, May 23rd, for a FREE live Zoom event along with my brilliant co-teacher, Zoë Tucker! We’ll be showing a few of our favorite children’s books and sharing what makes the illustrations so spectacular, and giving away a FREE place in class! Join us here!
