Blog - Page 5 of 194 - Lilla Rogers

Thank you for signing up for the morning tour of Mara Penny’s creative nest in Oakland, CA. Please keep all limbs inside the vehicle at all times and do not feed the animals.

Take it away, Mara!

Mara Penny

Hello! My name is Mara Penny. I would like to formally introduce myself and give you a little peek behind the curtain.

I live in a small house in Oakland, CA with my husband, our two teens, our cat and our sweet dog, Lucy.

Left: Illustration of my Oakland home

Above: Oakland map

I work from home at a little desk tucked in a corner of my living room. I primarily work on my iPad and computer these days, it suits me just fine. I spend most of my time here.

Right: My cozy desk space

I love science and all things transcendental.

I was raised on astrology. I am a mother nature super fan.

I love the night sky! I try to find ways to sneak stars into my work.

I am definitely a space girl and not an ocean girl. Although, I do love drawing fish and sea monsters.

My latest pastime with my husband is gardening. We are not great at it and I honestly cannot believe that human beings figured out how to plant seeds and consistently have enough food to live. Like, what?!

Above: This flowering plant is nearly nine feet tall! It’s called the Tower of Jewels and it just began blooming. This has caused much wonder and delight in our house. #nerds

Although I am not the best gardener, I do love to draw flora and fauna. They’re my favorite. Here’s a recent collection I made based on the plants and creatures living in the forest. It’s called Evergreen.

That concludes our tour for the day. Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks Mara! You can see more of Mara’s beautiful illustrations here.

My Kid Book Pitch class

starts May 29th!

My Kid Book Pitch, my one-of-a-kind picture book writing course is specially designed for creative people just like you!

Magic Cards (pictured above) are my secret weapon for helping you to unlock your magic imagination and come up with unique characters and a dreamy story idea.

By the end of this incredible four week course, you could have your own children’s book pitch ready to send(along with suggestions on who to send it to).

Join me!

We love picture books. We can’t get enough–from sweet lullabies, to hilarious adventures, to non-fiction topics. Here are eight recently released picture books by our artists. Take a look!

Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

Ruth Burrows

Wonderfully Wired Brains (DK Children)

“An informative and inclusive children’s guide to neurodiversity for those not in the know and to inspire children who are neurodivergent.

This inspirational book written by neurodiverse author Louise Gooding challenges misconceptions and shows how neurodivergent brains work a little differently. ”

Buy it here.

Åsa Gilland

This is Our World: Celebrate With Us! (Macmillan)

“The follow-up to the critically acclaimed This Is Our World, this book is a vibrant and colorful celebration of our planet’s cultural diversity―an unforgettable journey that brings the people, customs, and religions of 20 places around the world vividly to life for young readers. ”

Buy it here.

Janie Secker

Come Back to Me: A Bedtime Story for Sleepy Eyes (Andrews McMeel)

“Written from the warm and comforting perspective of a parent and illustrating the beauty in childlike imagination comes a timeless new lullaby from New York Time bestselling author and poet r.h. Sin. Come Back to Me is a sweet celebration of dream-filled slumber.”

Buy it here.

Zoë Ingram

My First Book of Dinosaurs (Walker Books)

“The perfect gift for any young dinosaur-lover, this beautifully illustrated information book is an ideal introduction to the world of prehistoric animals!”

Buy it here.

Julia Christians

The Best Bear Tracker (Templar Publishing)

“How do you spot a bear? The rules are quite clear, but maybe, just maybe, our heroine might not be as good at tracking as she thinks.

This hilarious picture book is full of quirky charm. Little readers will love laughing at the main character, who is oblivious to the bears following her through the forest. But are they really what she is looking for?”

Buy it here.

Charlotte Bruijn

La Grande Fête des Licornes (The Great Unicorn Party) (Fleurus Editions)

“Sunday is the big rainbow party in the land of unicorns. A contest is organized, and Titou intends to win it!

Seven stories for seven days to accompany the young unicorn in his last week before the big day… Despite all the obstacles, will he manage to win the contest?”

Buy it here.

Kendra Binney

My Grandpa, My Tree, and Me (Yeehoo Press)

“A moving tale about the depths of love and care a grandfather and granddaughter have for one another.

Of all the trees in Grandpa’s orchard, one tree is his favorite–a pecan tree, planted for his granddaughter on the day she was born. It’s for just the two of them and all the ways their relationship grows as they care forthis special tree together.”

Buy it here.

Today we’re showcasing our artists’ work in advertising, packaging and editorial. Enjoy!

Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

Hsinping Pan

L’Occitane en Provence

Tequitia Andrews

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Bonnie Dain

Village Voice

Ruth Burrows

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Kendra Binney

The Washington Post

Jessica Allen

Seattle Chocolate

Jon Cannell

Campaign for Got Milk?

This Week’s Featured Toy Pitch

Our Toy and Games Agent Riley Wilkinson has been working with our artists on some fabulous toy concepts for you. Feast your eyes!

Tuna Heist by Åsa Gilland

Take a trip through a townhouse with this group of mischievous cats in this feline-themed detective game.

Be the first to collect five items to win the game.

The adorable cats and townhouse also double as a playset.

Contact us for more information about this fantastic toy pitch.
See more toy concepts–ready to license–here.

Above: Beautiful piece by Flora Waycott

Dear Julia,

Ever wanted to see inside Flora’s sketchbook? Where do her brilliant ideas germinate? Where does she find inspiration? Read on to find out more.

Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

Flora Waycott

Hello, I’m Flora and I am an artist and illustrator. Today I would love to share with you some pages from my current sketchbook!

Sketchbooks are a great way to document your interests and try out new techniques. Some of my sketchbooks have become like diaries; documenting a moment in time to remember forever, whilst further developing my style.

Q. What made you start this sketchbook?

A. I started this sketchbook during a trip to England last year as a way to preserve memories of a special trip. It soon turned into a little personal project; documenting objects I came across which I found inspiring!

Q. Where did you find inspiration?

A. On the trip, I kept coming across a multitude of interesting objects – some old, some new; items at my family home or friends’ houses, in charity shops and at flea markets. Often when you travel, you look closer at everything…even though these objects are everyday items, to me they were treasures which have / had been loved and meant something to someone.

Q. What is your favourite page and why?

A. I love this page (below) because the objects belong to my parents and have been in the family for a long time. I enjoyed loosely capturing the details and love working with this blue!

Q. What medium did you use in this sketchbook?

A. I used pencil, gouache, colouring pencils and watercolours. I particularly like painting the objects in gouache and then using a colouring pencil to roughly fill in the background. I also use pencils to add details here and there. I enjoy the two mediums side by side and the contrast it gives, encouraging me to practise playing with mediums without being too precious.

What is the sketchbook brand and can you share which art supplies you use?

The sketchbook is a Daler Rowney Ivory sketchbook (softback). The pages are a soft, creamy colour which I love! My paints are Holbein Artists’ Gouache and Winsor and Newton Designer’s Gouache. I have a pan of Sennelier watercolours and for colouring pencils I like Faber Castell polychromos. I use a small brush for these paintings as the sketchbook is small – a number 1 or 2 and I like using a rigger brush for finer details.

I always use a Steadler 92525 drafting mechanical pencil for sketching. I love the precision it gives.

Q. Do you have any tips or advice for starting a sketchbook?

A. Absolutely! There are no rules about how to use your sketchbook, but here are a few tips if you have been wanting to keep one but not sure where to start. I would start by choosing a sketchbook which has paper you love and in the size you know you will enjoy using.

Here are some ideas:

• Studies of a particular subject matter (eg. nature studies – leaves, seed pods etc)

• Keeping a record of an event – a holiday, travel experience, meaningful time of year etc – A visual journal – drawing and writing your days

• Exploring a new art medium

• Patterns / doodles for mindfulness and mental health

• A keepsake of treasured drawings / small artworks to look back on in years to come.

Thank you for joining me today and wishing you a wonderful, creative sketchbook journey!

Flora xoxo

Thanks so much Flora! You can see more of Flora Waycott’s beautiful work here.

We can’t get enough of our artists books and puzzles. Enjoy!

Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

Sarah Walsh

Brilliant ASL puzzle for Mudpuppy.

Buy it here.

Jenny Miriam

It’s a puzzle bonanza with Jenny Miriam!

Above: Moonlight Journey puzzle for Buffalo Games.

Buy it here.

Below: Woodland Picnic for Mudpuppy.

Read a fun review by a puzzler here.

Buy it here.

Erica Root

Fabulous new picture book illustrated by Erica Root (Doubleday Books).

“This joyful, energetic, uplifting book honors the magic of teachers and mentors.

Perfect for Teacher Appreciation Week and graduation, it is an ode to the extra-special teachers we remember all those years later.”

Buy it here.

Julia Christians

Love this adventurous picture book illustrated by Julia (Scholastic).

“There’s a mysterious bookshop, tucked away from the world, with a rather unusual bookseller… Mr Leopard!

And as one little girl is about to discover, Mr Leopard’s Bookshop is the most magical place in the world…”

Buy it here.

Maria Gabriela Gama

Maria illustrated the 2nd in a series of “Terysa Solves it” picture books.

They even made pyjamas based on her character!

Buy it here.

Albert Arrayás

Check out this beautiful picture book illustrated by Albert Arrayás, published by Yeehoo Press.

“A charming picture book tale that showcases how the rewards of our efforts can come from the most unexpected of places.”

Buy it here.

Sarah Papworth

Sarah continues her incredible “A Life Story” series with Scholastic.

Buy it here.

Today we’re taking a look at LRS artist Trina Dalziel’s favorite things to illustrate. Take it away Trina…

Trina Dalziel

I’ve worked as an illustrator since the mid 1990s and I’ve been represented by Lilla Rogers Studio since 2007. I’ve loved every commission they’ve ever found for me! They have a talent for getting a good fit with clients’ projects and artists.

I’ve illustrated hundreds of magazine and book projects over the years. I thrive on the challenge of finding a clear, clever visual solution to a text.

I love to create beautiful images and I work a lot on lifestyle, health, and women’s magazines.

I enjoy finding solutions for difficult or sensitive subjects.

Above: The Washington Post – Illustration for an article on ways to manage picky eaters

I like to make sense of complex information but in a soft, feminine way.

For this reason I love to work on “how-to’s”.

Left: illustrations for Woman’s Weekly

Below: My eye in real life tends to find beautiful vignettes amongst the everyday, and this translates into how I compose little spot illustrations.

Illustrations for Better Homes & Gardens — Dog washing, baking soda and sofa spots

I was fascinated by the atlas as a child and would spend many afternoons poring over it by the fire.

I love illustrating maps as I enjoy the process of capturing both the subjective ‘feel’ of a place plus objective information in one image.

I also relish the opportunity to add hand lettering, which I adore producing.

Right: Illustration for The Washington Post

Above: Packaging for Waitrose

A move from the city to the countryside a few years ago means I’m able to observe the changing seasons and to walk straight out into nature every day.

For the first time I have my own garden to grow flowers and vegetables in and I feel these up-close observations have fed into my work in recent years.

Left: Illustration for Breathe Magazine article “The Slow Season”

For commissioned illustrations, I work in Procreate which gives consistency in the process needed when working to tight deadlines.

For my personal work however, I’ve been exploring and exhibiting gouache paintings and ink drawings. I’d love to be able to carry over these ways of working into some of my commissioned illustrations in the future.

Left, Above: I’ve set myself a painting project to produce 100 paintings exploring gouache based on photographs I’ve taken. These are scenes from where I live, from Scotland, and the writer Robert Graves’s home on the island of Mallorca.

Left, Below: A page from a concertina sketchbook in pen, ink and brush. I illustrated a trip I made in 2019 to Bulgaria – this shows Sunday streets in Sofia.

Thank you for taking a peek into my process and subject matter. Selecting images and preparing text for this newsletter has been a good opportunity to reflect on what I do and what I’d love to do more of.

You can see more of Trina’s work at her LRS portfolio page here.

Your 94-page workbook for the Arty Book course, starting TODAY!

Dear Julia,

The big MATS Spring Sale ends Wednesday!

Don’t miss out on amazing deals on your favorite courses — 25% off every course and 45% off bundles.

Beautiful work from our artists

Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

Lydia Graves

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Zoë Ingram

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Tara Lilly

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Maruga Koops

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Anke Rega

Clairice Gifford

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Charlotte Bruijn

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Your 94-page workbook for the Arty Book course, starting this Monday!

It’s a big week! The Make Art That SellsSpring sale is on now.

It’s a perfect time find a deal on one of my courses, like my new course My Arty Book Pitch which starts this Monday, April 10th!

What is an Arty Book and why should you do one? Join me this Friday for a free zoom to find out all the details.

Join me this Friday April 7th, 12PM ETI’ll chat about my brand-new course, My Arty Book Pitch, and pop up a volunteer or two to chat about their non-fiction illustrated (arty) book ideas, giving advice and guidance. You don’t want to miss this.Join the zoom!

Speaking of MATS, we recently wrapped up our Home Decor Live class, and LRS artists crushed it once again. Scroll down to see some of their amazing artwork, ready for license in Home Decor or to inspire you for book projects, stationery products and whatever you’re commissioning!

Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

Jenny Miriam

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Mara Penny

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Kay Wolfersperger

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Paloma O’Toole

Available for licensing as of this writing.

This Week’s Featured Toy Pitch

Our Toy and Games Agent Riley Wilkinson has been working with our artists on some fabulous toy concepts for you. Feast your eyes!

Forest Dominoes by Tisha Lee

Oversized waterproof playing cards give families an excuse to deal some cards out in the rain!

Our concept is inspired by Tisha Lee’s beautiful hand-painted forest flora and fauna.

Contact us for more information about this fantastic toy pitch.

See more toy concepts–

ready to license–here.

All the images below were recent hits on Instagram. Thanks for giving them so much love ❤️.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram!

Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

Tara Lilly

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Hsinping Pan

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Kay Wolfersperger

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Sarah Walsh

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Janie Secker

Available for licensing as of this writing.

Maria Gabriela Gama

Available for license as of this writing.

BRAND NEW Make Art That Sells class STARTS SOON: My Arty Book Pitch

Non-fiction illustrated books, or arty books, are an amazing source of income for artists, crafters, illustrators, writers, designers, photographers and more – basically anyone who is passionate about a hobby or an interest.Let me show you how you can build a career in this rewarding industry!

Sign up now at Make Art That Sells and get an incredible FREE five-part video series all about Writing and Illustrating Non-Fiction Books.

The very sparkly picture book My Mummy is a Unicorn, illustrated by Kim Fleming and published by Scholastic Australia is out now! Read our interview with Kim, below.

Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

Kim Fleming

Kim writes:

“My Mummy is a Unicorn was so much fun to work on from start to finish.

I get to draw a dragon? A mermaid? A tickle monster!? Total dream project!

Plus it celebrates all of the amazing, creative, caring things that mothers do for their children every day, so what could be better than that? It’s a perfect Mother’s Day book!”

My Mummy is a Unicorn, illustrated by Kim Fleming, published by Scholastic Australia.

Buy it here.

From the publisher:

“Join in the fun as mother and child use their imaginations to create a magical day full of fantastical adventures.”

Q: How did this book come about?

A: The publisher saw this personal piece of mine (below), which prompted them to commission me. I do love adding magic realism to my illustrations, and Unicorn is certainly full of that, so it was a great match!

Q: What did you love about this project?

A: In this story, the main character imagines their mother as all sorts of different magical creatures. I absolutely loved that I got to bring that sense of wonder to the page–illustrating a dragon, a robot, a genie, and imagining each of their fantastical environments.

I also loved adding in little details not in the text, such as the purple swath of hair the mother character has in each personification, or the main character’s sidekick mouse friend.

Q: What medium do you use for your illustrations?

A: I use a hybrid traditional-digital workflow.

I hand paint watercolor textures, and hand-carve rubber stamps which I use to make patterns. I scan all of these in and assemble them digitally in Photoshop.

I was really happy with how these illustrations turned out!

Above: The watercolor texture became the spotlight behind the main character in the illustration below.

Right: The stars and rainbow stamps became patterns on the child’s shirt and overalls, and the loopy repeated stamps formed the pattern on the ballerina’s bodice.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

A: Yes, the cover is embossed with sparkles! Can I put in lots of smiley emojis here? And I just wanted to thank the team at Scholastic who were so amazing to work with.

Thanks Kim!

My Mummy is a Unicorn released March 1st, 2023 in Australia, and will hopefully be available worldwide soon. It is available for purchase here.