Category: Inspiration
You’re going to love seeing some of our artists’ favorite art supplies. We asked them to share their favorites. Read on!
Recently, we were super-curious to find out what art supplies are the faves of our artists. Here’s what they said! (And check out Katie Vernon’s jellyfish!) Read on.
Contact us to assign or license–we’re happy to help!
Anke says, “I think you can guess…my favorite all time go to is blue watercolor! I just love indigo. You can use it dark and light (I rarely use black, mostly just for the pupils and sometimes hair) and cobalt is another favorite blue. I think these two go so well with a lot of other colours like pink, reds and so much more.”
From Jennifer: “My favorite of my art supplies is my sketch kit. I keep it small and minimal so that I can easily stuff it in my backpack when I travel. I use a small 4×4 inch watercolor sketchbook by Field Artist, and a tiny watercolor palette filled with Daniel Smith watercolors, which I made out of a business card holder. In a pinch, I can get by with just that and a waterbrush, but I also like to bring a Blue Q pencil case stocked with different size travel brushes, a small mechanical pencil, an eraser, a binder clip, and a few colored pencils like this set of Faber Castell Polychromos I picked up in Germany earlier this year.”
Examples of a favorite art material, gouache, on paper, for a personal piece.
Procreate using the IPad Pro and Apple Pencil for the cover of Oncology Nursing Magazine
Mara says, “My favorites are Micron pens and plain ol’ printer paper.”
Katie writes, “I couldn’t pick just one art supply, so here are my faves that I use almost daily:
Sarah says, “Currently…the humble pencil, although I like to mix my media, so perhaps I’d add coloured pencils, fine line pen and acrylic paint as little friendly team. With Photoshop as administrator.”
Kelly Anne writes, “My iPad Pro has been my favorite art supply (obsession) for the last three years, but I’m slowly getting back to working with more of my traditional favorites: colored pencil on wood and gouache, and finding ways to implement them into my digital work.
“This is an illustration I made for MATS Bootcamp of what my current work bag looks like and what I carry in it. Minus a few bobby pins and odd receipts. :)”
Sneak peek! Wanna see the proofs of Hsinping Pan’s latest book for James Patterson?
I’m dying to show you the proofs for Hsinping Pan’s latest book for Jimmy Patterson Books. You can pre-order it today! Hsinping is hot, hot, hot! She’s very in-demand for book illustration and you can see why. Scroll down to see three recent books she’s illustrated.
Contact us to assign or license–we’re happy to help!
Animation by Natasha Dewitz from Cuddly Critters for Little Geniuses
Be Kind (Storey Publishing)
I hope you enjoyed the show! 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. Get to know us here!
A mermaid cat, a sunbathing unicorn and swimming with a narwhal.
I asked our artists to draw magical beasts for our Menagerie. WOW!
Get your mitts on new work by our artists! Check out these presentation boards.
Art directors: Get your mitts on this work for your amazing products! This is art that my artists did in my e-course Make Art That Sells: Creating Collections for Home Decor. I create 3 trend boards for each home decor course of what I think are the next trends. And the cool part is watching how these brilliant artists translate those trends into their own style, leading the way.
We’re now representing artist Mara Penny
We are beyond delighted to announce that we are now representing the brilliant and lovely Mara Penny. Mara was a standout in my Make Art That Sells courses, often getting selected to be included in the assignment reviews. Take a look at her gorgeous work and I’ll tell you a bit more about why we chose her.
There are specific things I look for when taking on an artist. All the great drawing in the world won’t sell if the color palette isn’t amazing. Mara’s gorgeous colors on this piece in particular knocked me out. Plus, bugs.
I asked Mara what her dream job would be and she replied that having her own home decor collection would be a dream come true. I really, really need these tins to be made so I can have them! (Do you hear that, art directors of home decor and gift? Let’s talk.) I look for really fresh and on-point home decor designs that I can license easily, as seen here:
Originality is a key quality in all of the artists we represent. I’ll tell you something. When I saw this chair by Mara for the Home Decor class assignment I really stood up and took notice. (Or should I say, sat down.) So charmingly eccentric.
This piece (below) tells me that Mara could make an incredible craft book cover or editorial illustration. I love to see as many different markets covered in a portfolio. Why? Because then I can make a good living for the artist, which artists deserve to have.
What is Mara’s favorite food? Read more about Mara and see her work here.
4 Tips for Interesting Times
Here are four tips to help you nourish yourself and others during these interesting times. Hope you find benefit.
1. Reach out to your community and
surround yourself with those that make you happy.
2. Lean on each other. Support each other.
3. Treat yourself well. Make a cup of tea. Breathe.
4. Make your own magic. Do more of what makes you happy. Make more art!
“When a shift in a system has occurred, especially one that causes fear and discomfort, it allows for something strikingly different to appear, furthering our evolution as people. We can only know where we are going when we get there … now is the time we have been practicing for. No more just practicing the dance. We must now dance. And this is not a dress rehearsal.” — Zenju Earthlyn Manuel
XO
Lilla and Reine
Kate Mason Ambushes Lilla Rogers’ IG Feed.
Kate Mason ambushes Lilla Rogers’ Instagram account @Lillarogers. Kate lives in Australia and is a busy mother of 5! Kate won the Global Talent Search in October 2015. It has been a life changing event for her.
Hop over to @Lillarogers on Instagram to see all of Kate’s colorful and busy day! See Kate’s portfolio here.
xo,
Reine
Sarah Walsh’s book “100 Things to Draw with a Triangle” makes it to Bored Panda
We love sharing our artists amazing work and don’t think it gets much better than that. But a cherry on top is when the media is also sharing how cool our artists and their work is too! Sarah Walsh’s new “100 Things to Draw with a Triangle” by Quarto publishing is now available.
Sarah is also having fun with her new book and was feeling in the winter spirit. So she decided to do some holiday based doodles with her new book. Her doodles and sketches were featured on the hip Bored Panda! Check out the full article here and purchase the book here.
Fantastic creativivity with these triangles Sarah. They’re awesome. Order the book today for a terrific holiday gift!
xo,
Reine
Artists + Art Directors Flying in Today!
So exciting around here as we wait for all of these incredible creative artists & art directors to fly in today for the retreat #LillasRetreat! Click on the artists name below to explore their gorgeous galleries of work….
Tara Lilly, Global Talent Search Winner 2014
Margo Tantau Creative Director of Midwest CBK
Have safe travels everyone and can’t wait to kick off this retreat! #LillasRetreat
xo,
Reine
Marco responds to the drowning of Syrian toddler Aylan with a beautiful piece
Hello Lilla,
The recent drowning of the Syrian toddler, Aylan, along with his mother and brother near the Turkish coast have deeply touched me. Both as a human and as a father, I felt moved to create this piece of artwork. I cried while making it and it is called “Aylan’s Dream”.
Aylan’s Dream
Peace,
