Category: Amazing illustration

9/16/21

Here’s my business mantra, and only two spots left in our VIP Retreat next week.

Above: Art by Kay Wolfersperger

 

My mantra is this: Play business like it’s a game. In other words, do fun things that benefit everyone–the creative director/editor, the artist, and the agency. Make up fun stuff that everyone will enjoy. It’s served me well in my (almost) 40 years in the business, kept me out of trouble, and kept us constantly energized.

 

In that spirit, one of the things we love to do most around here is our Annual Artists and VIP Retreat, which begins next Wednesday. Last year it went virtual. We were actually surprised by how much everyone loved it (yeah, we do miss the live singer/guitarist and yummy hors d’oeuvres in my garden, I’ll grant you that), but the Zoom aspect enables more VIPs to attend, plus a whopping 25 artists are attending this year from Jakarta to Los Angeles, from Barcelona to Berlin. And we’ve only got two spots left for VIPs. Read on…

 

VIP ATTENDEES
Here are some of the blue-ribbon companies–featuring creative directors, executive editors, senior industrial designers, senior product managers–that will be attending next week, from the book, toy, stationery, and gift markets:
Sterling Publishing | NYC
Penguin Random House | UK
Penguin Random House | US
Little, Brown and Co. | NYC
Running Press | Philadelphia
Editions Auzou | Paris
Uncommon Goods | Brooklyn
Buffalo Games | NY
Raspberry Books | UK
teNeues Publishing | NYC
Educational Insights | CA
Design House Greetings | MN
SPEED ART DATING
The VIPs and the artists meet each other in private breakout rooms (one-on-one) for 10 minutes to view artists’ breathtaking new work, view their toy pitches, or see their book dummies. It’s just under two hours long with the VIPs each meeting with 8 artists. We call it Speed Art Dating. Several VIPs have signed up for ALL THREE DAYS, and many are back from last year.

 

NEWS FLASH–ART DIRECTORS, CREATIVE DIRECTORS, DESIGNERS, EDITORS: Thursday is filled, but if you’d like to attend Speed Art Dating either next Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 2PM ET or Friday, Sept. 24 at 9AM ET to meet one-on-one with our fabulous artists and feast on their jaw-dropping work, simply reply to this email. But hurry! As of this writing, we have only one spot available on Wednesday and one on Friday. Simply reply to this email and let us know you’re interested.

 

My Recent Favorites
I went a little overboard on collecting a few of my recent favorites to put in this newsletter. Here you go.
Various LRS artists + former LRS Artist Suzy Ultman

 

Creating a unique book comes from understanding what makes you unique and discovering the story you’re excited to tell. To help you do this, I’ve created a playful, personalized and structured course that will bring out your special story. It’s packed full of quirky worksheets, Magic Cards, fun exercises and interactive LIVE videos that will guide you step by step to create your own special brilliant story – the story that only you can write. I hope you’ll join me October 18th!

 

Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
9/7/21

Guess who I’m interviewing next?

Coming this Thursday!

 

Both images above were created in my MATS Bootcamp course this past Spring
Join me Thursday for our WebinART as I chat with our newest artist
and view her gorgeous work. I’ll show you the mini portfolio she sent hoping to get representation.
This Thursday
September 9th
12.00 PM ET.
—–
We’ll be broadcasting live on Zoom here on Thursday. See you then!
WebinART link here
Password: Ruth99
p.s. You won’t be on video, no worries. It’s a great chat to have on in background!
Find links to our entire WebinART series HERE.

 

Above by Ruth Burrows

 

Agent Kim Fleming gathered up a collection of character images for you this week. Characters are such a key part of illustration work.
Highlights magazine

 

From My first Animal songs / Mes premières chansons d’animaux (Editions Gründ)

 

Character studies

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Akiara Books

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

From Princesses Can Fix it (Page Street Kids)

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
8/26/21

Agent Kim Fleming picked some of her recent favorite images for you.

Agent Kim Fleming picked her recent favorites for you this week. I love ’em, too, especially Katie Vernon’s post-pandemic hobbies piece. Enjoy!

 

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

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for license as of this writing.

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
8/4/21

We’re announcing our newest artist!

Ta-da! We are thrilled to announce that we are now representing the mega-talent, Ruth Burrows. We know she’s going to be busy with editorial, children’s books, toys, surface design, and tons more. How do we know she’s going to be busy? Two reasons. One, her work was frequently selected for reviews in my Make Art That Sells classes, and two, she has already been commissioned to work on a sample for a children’s book–even before our official launch.
Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

 

Animation by Natasha Dewitz

 

Originally from the UK, Ruth spent twenty years in the United Arab Emerites, and now resides in Lincoln, UK.
Her work is joyful and top-notch, just like Ruth herself. You’ll love working with her.
Lilla: Ruth, how do you stay inspired?
Ruth: I’m inspired by normal everyday things and ordinary people. I usually have my best ideas whilst out walking the dog! I love unfinished, wonky things that don’t match.
Lilla: Where do you buy your art supplies?
Ruth: I love a good old fashioned independent art shop if I can find one but my favorite thing to paint on at the moment is old Cornflakes boxes!

 

Welcome to the world of Ruth Burrows!

 

Lilla: Do you wear shoes when you do art?
Ruth: No, just fancy socks, usually mismatched.
Lilla: What was your favorite illustration assignment from class?
Ruth:West Side Story Poster from last year’s Bootcamp but honestly I love them all.

 

Lilla: What illustration job would you love to get (your dream job)?
Ruth: Illustrating one of those books about women who have done extraordinary things and men took the credit for it but now we’re going back and celebrating their lives.
Lilla: If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be?
Ruth: An Odd Job Woman – I love carpentry and would love to learn about electrics and plumbing.

 

Lilla: Whom would you like to meet?
Ruth: I like ordinary folk, chatting to someone at the checkout is more interesting to me than someone famous.
Lilla: What do you listen to while you work?
Ruth: BBC Radio 4 or the World Service. Just talking, no music.
Lilla: How do you stay in shape?
Ruth: Walking the dog and using power tools.
Lilla: How don’t you stay in shape?
Ruth: Sitting too long glued to Procreate!

 

Lilla: What recent book do you recommend for a good read?
Ruth: I read every night before I sleep but rarely remember what’s going on, sometimes I have to start over to remind myself who all the characters are. I never remember the title and as soon as the book is finished I completely forget what it was about!
Lilla: How do you take your coffee?
Ruth: Instant coffee in a mug with full fat milk.

 

 

 

 

Lilla: What color combination are you most excited about right now?
Ruth: Orangey Red and Baby Pink

 

Lilla: Why do you like being an illustrator in 15 words or less?
Ruth: You can make something out of nothing.
Like the interview with Ruth? Read the whole thing here. Ready to assign a project with Ruth? Shoot an email to our lovely agents here.

 

Download her PDF portfolio or jump over here to see her work, studio, and more.

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
7/29/21

See our artists’ incredible pitches from this week’s Toy class.

Get ready to freak out over the pitches created by our artists for Week One: Restaurant Pretend Play. These were created in my brand new My Toy Pitch course which I am co-teaching with our brilliant toy guy, Riley Wilkinson (formerly of Mattel, etc.) Stay tuned to see work from Week 2: Sea Creatures Checkers, with twists.
Yes, these winning toy pitches are available for license, or they may even inspire you to commission something else. It’s all good. We’d love to hear what you think!
Stay tuned! We’re announcing our newest artist next week and we’re super excited about it.
Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!
(This was a class favorite.)
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

(She just received two editorial commissions).
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

(She just got a picture book deal.)
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

(She just got TWO more children’s picture book deals.)
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

(She just received a number of greeting card licenses.)
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

(She just received a big commission for art for a major hospital.)
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

(All of us loved this charming elephant tea set.)
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

(The donuts change color in the water? The magnetic toppings? I want this!)
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
7/20/21

What do talking pencils, lightening bugs and Cleopatra have in common?

Today’s spotlight

 

Please enjoy this brand new work by our artists who attended my recent course, Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children’s Books 2021. You’ll see appealing characters displaying emotions and active poses, strong art styles and gorgeous environments whether witty (I’m talking about you, Katie Vernon) or historically accurate (I’m looking at your Cleopatra, Jennifer Potter) or dreamy (yes, you, Kelly Anne Dalton).

 

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

 

Text by Zoë Tucker

 

Text by Lilla Rogers.
Manuscript and art ready to license! Contact us for details.

 

Text by Zoë Tucker

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
7/14/21

Wanna see some of the most-liked art on our instagram feed from the last few weeks?

Check out some of our most-liked images on our Instagram feed! Follow us on Instagram here for more goodness.
Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project!

 

Personal Piece
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Personal piece
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Personal piece
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Personal piece
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Illustration for MATS Editorial class.
Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Clairice was commissioned to create the lettering and decorative border for The Secret Garden book cover. Illustration by Tasha Tudor.
Published by HarperCollins.

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
7/8/21

Here’s your Big Reveal of work from class: Memory Match games created by our own artists.

Check it out! I’m always thrilled when my artists take my Make Art That Sells courses. I’m delighted to show you the work that they created for the very last assignment for Bootcamp. (There were 900 students in that class. It’s a popular one). The assignment was to create a memory match card game, and my artists’ work always shines. Mama proud.

 

These are available for license, and as always, our artists are available to create custom art for your project.

 

If you’re interested in creating gorgeous, special, original toys, hop on over to MATS as today is the very last day to sign up for My Toy Pitch. It’s the very first time we’re running it, and the energy in class is invigorating! I am honored and thrilled to co-teach with former Mattel Creative Director and storehouse of knowledge, who as you probably know, is now our very own Toy, Game and Entertainment agent, Riley Wilkinson.

 

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

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

Available for licensing as of this writing.

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells

 

6/10/21

GIANT NEWS! We reveal our newest artist!

BIG NEWS! Please welcome our newest artist, Make Art That Sells student and fabulous artist Tequitia Andrews.

 

We are blown away by her gorgeous portraits, strong color, powerful themes, lovely lettering, and spectacular children’s illustration. We’re envisioning her getting tons of editorial and advertising gigs, and loads of picture books.

Join us tomorrow as I chat with Tequitia about her working process, subject matter she loves, black representation, and more.
P. S. She has a great laugh.
Click here to join our free public Zoom WebinART
with our newest artist
Tequitia Andrews
TOMORROW
Friday, June 11th, at 12:00 PM ET.
Password: Tequitia99

 

Animation by Natasha Dewitz

 

Artist Tequitia Andrews at her workspace in Richmond, Virginia.
Scroll to see her work or see more our site here.

 

All images are available for license as of this writing.

 

Available for license as of this writing.

 

I recently asked Tequitia to make a few images for children’s books. She pulled upon her childhood to create these images which I’m sure will blow you away as they did for us. I encourage you to contact us to assign her, as she will book up quickly.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells
6/3/21

Wanna see Helen Dardik’s animated unicorns?

What I love about art with a kid book vibe is that it’ll pull in a variety of gigs like commissions for backpacks, tattoos, and cheetah lockets. You never know. Enjoy the show!
Plus… stay tuned for some BIG NEWS coming next week!
Contact us to assign or license art. We’re happy to help you find the perfect artist or gorgeous images for your project.

 

Animation by Natasha Dewitz

 

I’m (almost) Always Kind illustrated by Åsa Gilland
(Usborne Publishing)

 

The Healthy Motherhood Journal (Sounds True)

 

Can you believe all these fabulous books Sarah Walsh has illustrated? You can see why she’s in such demand.
Buy Draw Bridge here.
Buy Truth & Daring here.
Buy True Colors here.
Buy Matilda here.
Buy Herstory here.
Buy Hats of Faith here.
Visit our Books page to see more!

 

Notre Planète illustrated by Daniel Roode (Editions Gründ)

 

Tiger Backpack & Animal tattoos (Petit Monkey)

 

Sweet cheetah bracelet illustrated by Tara Lilly for Djeco

 

Book cover lettering for The Secret Garden (HarperCollins)

 

I hope you enjoyed the show! Check out our site to see more.
Want great art for your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to assist you with any of your art needs.
xo
Lilla
Agent, Artist, Author
Founder, Lilla Rogers Studio
Co-Founder, Make Art That Sells