How To Be A Children's Book Illustrator

Frequently Asked Questions

1.) What can I expect from the course?

You'll be able to use these lessons as a roadmap to complete successfully the illustration project you've set for yourself. It might be a picture book dummy (or partial dummy), a storybook proposal for a publisher, article for a magazine, character series for cards or licensed product -- or just some strong painted samples for your portfolio.

You'll learn how to build your illustrations in stages -- rough thumbnail, to finished drawing, to 'final art.' Final art is a painting that "works" on one or more levels of draftsmanship, design, color and value.

You can expecxt to acquire a new comfort in drawing and painting. The basic steps you'll learn in watercolor can be applied to other painting mediums.

You'll have a better understanding of the children's publishing market and how to promote your artwork there. You'll know how to complete an art assignment that you might receive from an editor or art director.

2.) How long does the course last?

Five months if you take on one new lesson a week -- or as long as it takes you go get through the PDFs and/or videos and apply the ideas to your project.

Students have up to 18 months to participate in the monthly group reviews. (They can also renew.)

3.) How much is it?

Tuition is $216 -- or $54 per month for five months, if you wish to pay month to month. Tuition includes your membership in the online community, resource sharing site and online group critique calls with Mark.

4.) I've never taken an art class before and can't draw a straight line. Will I be out of my depth here?

If you have an interest, but you've never taken an art course, you'll find this an exciting, rewarding introduction to drawing, painting and the world of children's book art.

5.) I've studied art. Will this curriculum be 'old hat' for me?

Many, if not the majority of our students have some background in art. For example they've majored in it or work in some arts, arts teaching or design-related field, or taken painting classes. Make Your Splashes re-introduces them to forgotten concepts and skills and usually fills in some knowledge gaps.

The lessons are designed to help artists at all levels with the foundational conundrums of drawing, composition and color - and support them on their paths to publication.

6.) Can this online course be a substitute for art school?

Attending a reputable art school or art classes on a college campus is to be encouraged rather than discouraged. This course nicely complements such training.

But not everyone has the opportunity to go to a professional art school or take college art classes, Online instruction can't provide the immersion experience of school, but it can be a powerful way to deliver the right information fast.

Plenty of artists have been 'home schooled.' They've relied on individual study, informal workshops and ateliers with selected teachers in their pursuit of excellence and mastery of craft.

Actual students' FAQs that the course answers
(or in some cases grapples with):

How and where do you find work as an illustrator?
Is there enough work even for the best?
How do you get started?
How do you know what to leave in and what to leave out in a picture?
What captures a child's imagination? How can an illustration create a magical page that transmits the meaning of the story in a way that it sears itself into a young mind?
How do you develop a personal style of illustration that will appeal to children?
How much detail is "too much?" in an illustration?
What should you include in your portfolio to catch a publisher's interest?
How do you lay out a book?
Do I need an agent?
What types of contracts and terms might an illustrator be faced with and what pitfalls should he be aware of?
In what form do you submit your illustrations for a book proposal?
What is the process from illustration to publication?
How do I take a character, or characters that will appear in many different perspectives in the book and make him look like the same person each time? How do I make a character visually consistent from page to page throughout a picture book?
How do you translate a story into a cohesive flow of words and pictures?
How do you gain confidence in illustrating a children's book?
I've heard over and over that it's a long shot. What do you think?
Do you need formal training to illustrate a children's book?
How do I get as many published "clips" as fast as I can?
Is it better to try to develop a "style" for children's illustrations or just do the work and let your natural way of doing things be your "style?"
How do you balance the work of illustrating and marketing to find more work?
I have both my BFA and MFA, but how do you "get your work out there" to the children's book industry? What steps must you take to enter that world as both an artist and a business person?
How do I bring out that 'something extra' in my pictures and words that will
make my book stand out?
What basic knowledge do you need to illustrate a children's book?
How do I make a dummy book?
Can I really make a living at this?
How does one get past the fear of doing one illustration or book?
What guidelines are there for submitting to a publisher?
Is my work good enough?
How do I get better?