Make Art That Sells Sign Up Information

Dear Olivia,

Our huge Cyber Sale is incoming! Today we're sharing our gorgeous Giant Cyber Sale guide so you can start plotting and planning your year ahead.

Get your FREE copy of our beautiful Sale Guide here. Where will 2021 take you? Let Lilla help you make 2021 the year your art shines! 

Directions for use:

(1) Print it out. Admire its beauty.
(2) Grab yourself a cup of coffee or your favorite herbal tea. Feel its comforting warmth. Inhale its delicious smell.
(3) Pause for a moment. Close your eyes. Whether you've loved it or hated it or both depending on the week/day/hour, 2020 has been an unprecedented year for all of us. Take a minute or two to put it to one side and think about what you want to achieve in the year ahead:

• Do you want to build a broad and powerful illustration portfolio that will help you get more work?
• Do you want to explore exciting new markets for your art, like the booming toy and games and children's book illustration markets?
• Do you want to have a shot at writing your very own children's picture book?
• Do you want to illustrate a magazine or online article?
• Do you want to go all in, make better and better art, and build an incredible creative career?

(4) Okay, you're ready. Open the Guide. Read. Dream. Plan.

Download your FREE copy of our gorgeous Giant Cyber Sale guide here. Now with journaling and interactive pages!

What will your focus for 2021 be? Want to fill it with making your very best art? Download your sale guide here and get plotting.

There are just five days to go before our biggest sale of the year! Here's what you can look forward to:

• Get it all! An absolutely whopping 50% off our brilliant My Year of Art School All classes bundle - all of Lilla's courses for 2021, half price. Or take all of Lilla''s live courses for 2021 with the My Year of Art School Live classes bundle, at an incredible 40% off! You can't beat the price!
• Explore the dreamy world of children's books and toys with My Magical Kid Book and Toy Career bundle
• Pack your portfolio full of incredible, job-snagging art with My Brilliant Portfolio bundle
  Lilla's brand-new-for-2021 course, My Toy Pitch, at 25% off (or save more when you buy in a bundle)
• Lots of tasty additions to our self-paced courses
• To make our courses as accessible as possible for as many people as possible, you can now pay by installments on all our bundles

. and more! Download your very own copy of the beautiful guide here and get ready to explore.

What do you see in your future: your own home d?cor line, a fabulous new game created by you, holding your very own children's picture book in your hands? Let Lilla show you how you can get this and more!

Will you finish 2020 with your brand new kids' book in your hands? Your first full-page editorial illustration? Having landed your dream home d?cor gig? Perhaps this will be the year you set up your Etsy shop or sign with an art agent (hint: art agent Lilla is actively looking to scoop up Make Art That Sells students to represent right now).

Wherever you are, whatever your aims, whatever your level, we've got the knowledge and the courses that can help you make your best art and achieve your dreams in the year ahead.

Products featuring art by artists represented by Lilla Rogers. Let Lilla show you how you can get your art on cool products like these (and maybe land representation too)

Are you ready to supercharge your art career in 2021? Our Giant Cyber Sale starts THIS TUESDAY, November 24th. Mark your calendars, set an alarm on your phone, and write it on your hand. The countdown is on! Don't wait!

Lots of love,

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Join art agent Lilla and all the Make Art That Sells teachers for a FREE live Zoom event on the first day of the sale, Tuesday, November 24th, at 12 noon ET/5 pm GMT! Get ready to ask an art agent anything! Lilla will be answering your questions, giving her best advice for career success and getting ready to go big in 2021. Mark your calendars now!

P.P.S. We're hiring! We're looking for a positive, enthusiastic and highly organized freelance Project Assistant to join our friendly team. Could it be you? Click here to find out more and apply. HURRY! Applications close THIS Monday, November 23rd!

Dear Olivia, 

How are you doing in your corner of the world? We hope you have weathered the storm of all that 2020 has thrown at us. It will surely be a year that we never forget. Here at MATS HQ we have been so grateful for our incredible community throughout this time. So much has shifted and changed this year, and throughout that we have seen how art can be a powerful force for good, a support for our collective mental health and a way for us to stay connected and support each other.

We have also seen how now, more than ever, we need creativity and community, to keep us hopeful, inspired, motivated, and nimble in shaping our careers in a changing world.

Before 2020 is out we want to take a moment to celebrate our community - YOU! - with a special festive giveaway. Head over to our Instagram feed, comment on the competition post by tagging a friend, and you could win a gorgeous prize for both of you.

Here's the image to look for on our Instagram! Remember to leave your comment under this photo to enter.

Here's what you get. The prize is a lovely bundle of goodies including:

• A free place on Assignment Bootcamp 2021 for the winner and a friend to give you something brilliant to look forward to next year
• A personalized, signed copy for you and your friend of Beth's lovely, atmospheric book Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year: A little book of festive joy, which is full of tips for taking care of yourself in winter and creating a meaningful holiday season
• Plus a few more special surprise Christmas goodies!

How to enter:

To be in with a chance to win, go to the Make Art That Sells Instagram account @makeartthatsells and look for the post with the image above, then leave a comment there, tagging a friend who you'd like to share this prize with.

Make Art That Sells co-founder and best-selling author, Beth Kempton, decorates for Christmas. To read about how top art agent and MATS co-founder Lilla Rogers celebrates the holidays, click here.

The small print for the competition can be found on that same post. The deadline for comments is 4pm on Monday 7 December 2020 and the winner will be announced on our Instagram @makeartthatsells shortly afterwards.

Thank you so much for being such a valued member of our community. We love you all!

Remember, the future is all about entrepreneurial creativity! There are many reasons to be hopeful.

Much love,
Beth and Lilla
Xx

Dear Olivia, 

We were delighted that illustrator, crafter, author, doll-maker and diversity expert, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, could join art agent Lilla for our very first FREE Live with Lilla. Watch it here.

One of the things that sets Make Art That Sells live courses apart is the live reviews with art agent Lilla you'll get in class. As well as being an incredible opportunity to hear and learn from exactly what a top art agent looks for, they're a chance for Lilla's warmth and humor to really shine (plus, there's always a chance she'll be joined by a surprise animal friend: over the past few months, both bees and egrets have made an appearance!).

Introducing Live with Lilla! Live with Lilla is a brand new FREE occasional video series from art agent Lilla plus some special super-inspiring guests, including artists, art directors, editors, and more . And as well as interviews, there may also be some live mini teaching lessons, creative inspiration, and just about anything new Lilla thinks up!

Meet illustrator, crafter, author and diversity expert, Vanessa Brantley-Newton in the first of our FREE video series, Live with Lilla!

Illustration and dolls by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Vanessa believes that every child should be able to see themselves reflected in the books they read, and has tons to share on diversity for illustrators.

Lilla kicked the series off in style with an interview with the incredible Vanessa Brantley-Newton! Vanessa is a self-taught illustrator, doll maker and author and/or illustrator of 87 books! She's also an expert on diversity, celebrates self-love and acceptance of all cultures, and hopes to inspire young readers. We're also thrilled to say that Vanessa is a former (and current) Make Art That Sells student.

Diversity is at heart of Vanessa's art: like Lilla, she believes that all children should see themselves reflected in picture books that they read. Together they discussed what artists can do for #blacklivesmatter and to make the world a better place; how Vanessa has kept her power; why Blackness is not a trend; how to approach adding diversity if you're a white illustrator; and tons more.

In turns motivating, educational, inspiring, heartbreaking and hilarious, Vanessa's conversation with Lilla was wonderful - but don't take our word for it: watch for yourself here.

Feeling inspired? Want to write your own children's picture books? There's still time to sign up for My Kid Book Pitch, which starts Monday, October 12th! Over four fabulous weeks, you'll dig deep into what makes you unmistakeably you using Lilla's unique Magic Cards (check out next week's newsletter for a sneak preview!) and build on Lilla's playful Make a Story Recipe to create a show-stopping children's book pitch that only you can write. Find out more and book your spot here!

Illustration by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.

What's next for Live with Lilla? Lilla will be adding more videos to the series soon, so be sure to watch this space - and if there's anyone who you'd particularly like to see featured then please do let us know!

Our students love lives with Lilla! For tons of tips and wisdom from Lilla gleaned from almost four decades in the business, check out some of the past free public lives here.

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Love lives with Lilla? Be sure to check out Lilla's Mystery Box, her NEW course, which takes place in November: with daily LIVE events from Monday to Friday, plus worksheets and more, it's like a vitamin shot for your creativity which is sure to inject a boost of sunshine into your day!

Join Lilla''s WEBINART TODAY!

What makes magical Marenthe tick? How does she come up with such dreamy, other-worldly images? Marenthe has worked on a variety of illustration projects for Amber Lotus Publishing, Elle Magazine, Flow Magazine, Hallmark, Quarto Publishing, Roger La Borde, and more.

Join Lilla and Marenthe LIVE for a free Zoom WebinART TODAY, September 17th at 12.30PM ET. They''ll be discussing Marenthe''s various creative projects, her dream illustration project, her tips on working from home with two kids and a book that most influenced her. Plus there''ll be a slideshow of her gorgeous work, live questions and a random giveaway one of Marenthe''s products.

Click here to join
Password: Marenthe77

Dear Olivia, 

As well as being a warm and innovative teacher, Make Art That Sells co-founder and teacher Lilla Rogers is also a renowned art agent. This means that she can use her in-depth knowledge of the industry to create class assignments with real world appeal - plus, because she assigns jobs to her artists every day, she also has insider knowledge of what's hot, what's not, and what's selling like gangbusters. Put it all together and it's just one reason why Make Art That Sells alumni are so successful.

Want proof? We reached out to some of the artists that Lilla represents to ask them to show us some of the art which they created for Make Art That Sells that landed them jobs and representation. Here's what they told us .

Anke Rega

This beautiful art created by Anke for Home D?cor PLUS was picked up and licensed by Kaufman Fabric.

Anke's art for Home D?cor PLUS was licensed by Kaufman Fabric.

Home D?cor PLUS isn't running in 2020, but you can start Lilla's self-paced home d?cor class, Creating Collections for Home D?cor, the moment you sign up. Register here!

Erica Root

Erica took a ton of Make Art That Sells courses before landing representation with Lilla Rogers Studio, but it was her portrait of Ida B. Wells for Assignment Bootcamp (and her fantastic lists for MATS MBA (Money BadAss - currently half price) that Lilla says first made her sit up and notice Erica! She's now booked solid with work, including a non-fiction book that she pitched which is due out in 2021.

Erica's portrait of Ida B. Wells for Assignment Bootcamp grabbed art agent Lilla's attention - Lilla's live courses are an incredible opportunity to get your art in front of a top art agent and maybe land representation too!

Lilla is always looking to take on new artists from among her Make Art That Sells students - in fact, all 21 new artists offered representation by Lilla Rogers Studio since Make Art That Sells was founded in 2013 have been Make Art That Sells students! Doing one of Lilla's live courses is an amazing way to get your unique beautiful art directly in front of a renowned art agent - check them out here.

Mara Penny

Mara's map of Oakland (left) made for Hot Markets for Your Art Part B and her bolt fabric line Pacific Wanderings for Moda Fabric, representing the Pacific States (right).

Mara made a map of her hometown of Oakland for Hot Markets for Your Art Part B which later influenced a large fabric line with Moda Fabrics. She is now making all 50 state maps and creating a fabric line for each US region!

Hot Markets for Your Art Part B is another self-paced course that you get instant access to as soon as you register - find out more here or get Hot Markets for Your Art Part B together with Hot Markets for Your Art Part A here.

Mara's illustrated map of her home state of California plus California's state bird and flowers.

Kelly Anne Dalton

Kelly Anne is another Make Art That Sells student who is now represented by Lilla Rogers after Lilla spotted her in class. She says, "I'm not sure there was any one piece that did it, just a culmination of taking every single class for two years!". Kelly is currently busy with book gigs, but also tells us that she has just had a piece of work from Make Art That Sells picked up for licensing - but she can't share any details quite yet. Watch this space!

Kelly Anne's home d?cor board for Make Art That Sells.

Jessica Allen

Jessica Allen produced some stunning boards for Creating Collections for Home D?cor, which were then picked up and produced by Creative Co-op.

Jessica's beautiful home d?cor board for Creating Collections for Home D?cor (right) and an apron based on her design by Creative Co-op (right).

Creating Collections for Home D?cor is a self-paced course which you can start instantly as soon as you sign up - book your place here!

Another of Jessica's home d?cor boards from Creating Collections for Home D?cor (left) and the gorgeous pillows made by Creative Co-op (right).

We hope you enjoyed the show! Find your next Make Art That Sells course here - who knows where it will lead?

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. We''re excited to invite you to join us TODAY at 12:30 PM ET for the next in our series of WebinARTs with LRS artist Jennifer M Potter, who has worked on a variety of incredible illustration projects for clients such as The American Library Association, The Boston Children's Museum, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, Nosy Crow, Running Press, Sasquatch Books, Washington Post, Up With Paper, and more. Lilla will be asking her how she transitioned to a full-time career as a freelance illustrator, how she creates such dramatic cinematic pieces (hint: she studied animation, comics and storyboarding at SCAD), what her very favorite illustration project was and why, how she stays organized. If nothing else, come for the gorgeous work in the slideshow. Plus Lilla will be taking a few questions live!

One lucky participant will win Jennifer Potter''s lushly, fully illustrated book, Voices of Justice.

Click here to join our free public WebinART on Zoom with our artist Jennifer M Potter today at 12:30 PM ET.

Password: Jennifer77

We can''t wait to see you there!

Dear Olivia, 

Hurry hurry! Our Giant Cyber Sale is now on, which means that, until next Monday, November 30th ONLY, all your old favorites plus Lilla's thrilling NEW class for 2021, My Toy Pitch, are ALL heavily discounted!

Registration for all of our outstanding courses for 2021, including the raved- about Illustrating Children's Books and last year's new course, My Kid Book Pitch, will be open next year at full price - but you can grab them now and make a huge saving of 25% on individual courses, and up to 50% on our fabulous bundles!

Paisley puzzle design by Make Art That Sells student Janie Secker for Assignment Bootcamp 2020. Janie is now represented by Lilla Rogers Studio after Lilla spotted her in class.

Today we're going to talk about how you can build an incredible portfolio that will catch an agent's or art director's eye and help you land your dream illustration jobs. How can you make money from your art so you get to hang out in your pajamas eating toast and listening to music while you work? We caught up with art agent Lilla to find out.

Q: Lilla, what do art directors, art agents and clients really want to see? What are they looking for?

Lilla says: "It's vital that your portfolio shows several strong pieces for each market that you're interested in. As an art agent, I look for an artist that has work in multiple markets. You need to have enough pieces to show the art director that you can produce consistently, especially in the editorial market, where work is almost always commissioned. As an agent, I need to know: if I assign you work, can you deliver? Art directors don't like surprises! Art directors and art agents both need to know that you're capable of producing consistently high quality work. So when you show lots of great work, you get lots of great commissions!"

Editorial illustration by Make Art That Sells student Marloes de Vries for Editorial Live: Illustrating for Magazines and More. Lilla leads you through the whole process, from rough to finish. Read more here.

Q: How do you know which markets to focus on or what to draw when your time is limited and precious? I sometimes have a million ideas in my head, but there are so many hours in the day, especially right now, when I have children constantly under my feet and/or trying to pick a fight with the cat. (Also, do you know how many times a day they need feeding? It's a lot!)

Lilla says: "I hear you! As a creative person, it can be difficult to stay focused. Here's my suggestion. Take some time to look at different products - in shops and bookstores if you can, or probably online at the moment, and think about what calls to you. Look at children's books and magazine and book illustrations, look at fabric, look at cards and aprons and teacups, look at wall art and home d?cor. Look at everything, and take note of what thrills you: what makes you think, oh, I would LOVE to do that!

Then take a look at what kind of art you love to make:

• Do you like to draw people? You could look into the children's book and magazine illustration markets.
• Do you like to make repeat patterns? Think about the bolt fabric, home d?cor and stationery markets.
• Do you like to draw a variety of decorative things? You have a whole host of options to consider, including bolt fabric, home d?cor, gift, paper, baby apparel, scrapbook, party paper, and wall d?cor."

Thanks, Lilla! It's good to know that I can include browsing the internet for gorgeous stuff as research - and as a bonus it's something I can do while "watching" Blippi on repeat for the thirtieth time today too.

Paisley puzzle design by Make Art That Sells student Lucia Picerno for Assignment Bootcamp 2020. As an agent, Lilla knows what's hot right now, so her assignments are always on trend. Puzzles were huge in 2020!

Here's a cheeky shortcut: the My Brilliant Portfolio bundle will help you create a powerful, job-snagging portfolio that will showcase your unique art across some of the hottest markets right now. For this bundle, we've picked the courses that will help you make loads of great portfolio pieces!

You'll get two of Lilla's inspiring and motivating LIVE courses - Editorial LIVE and student-favorite Assignment Bootcamp 2021 - plus two self-paced courses specifically geared towards a fantastic portfolio: Lilla's Art Recipes: Drawing Faces and (new as a self-paced course for 2021!) Portfolio Review, in which you'll watch art agent Lilla review student portfolios just like yours and learn a ton.

Whether you want to explore lucrative new markets for your art or broaden and strengthen your portfolio so you get more of the work you love, the My Brilliant Portfolio bundle will give you all the on-trend job-snagging portfolio pieces that you need.

West Side Story poster by Make Art That Sells student Ruth Burrows for Assignment Bootcamp 2020. Find out more and book your place here.

HURRY! This bundle will ONLY be reduced this heavily during our Giant Cyber Sale, which ends this Monday, November 30th, so if you want in - if you want to explore some of the hottest art markets with the help of top art agent Lilla, with the support of hundreds of like-minded creatives all over the world; if you want to fill your portfolio with show-stopping, job-snagging art - then sign up now!

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Want to see what else is included in the sale? Download your free copy of our gorgeous sale guide, including worksheets and a handy tool to help you pick the perfect bundle for you, here.

P.S. Join your Illustrating Children's Books and My Kid Book Pitch teachers, art agent Lilla and children's book art director and author Zo?, in a FREE live Zoom on Monday 30th November, at 10.30 am ET/3.30 pm GMT! They'll be answering your questions, sharing teaching tips, showing some of their favorite pictures books and more. Set an alarm on your phone now!

Dear Olivia,

Five mystery boxes, one for every day from Monday to Friday. What's inside? What will art agent Lilla share with you each day?

It's been one heck of a year. Whether you're embracing the new normal, finding some joy amongst the chaos and rocking your creative career; struggling with financial concerns and juggling children at home; or ready just to crawl into bed and hibernate until it's all over (or all of above cycling on repeat) - we hear you.

Here's the perfect palate cleanser to finish off 2020. Lilla's Mystery Box: Explore Creative Living with Lilla Rogers, Lilla's very last live course of the year, which starts Monday, November 16th, promises to be a little shot of late-fall sunshine, a vitamin smoothie for the soul.

So far, the precise contents have been a closely guarded secret - a mystery, if you will - and they're going to remain that way so that you get a whole week (Monday to Friday) chockfull of delicious surprises and delights. We are at liberty to reveal a few teasers though .

Here's what we can tell you so far:

1. Five days, five mystery boxes

What's inside each Mystery Box? Grab your spot here and find out!

Each day, Lilla will opening one of the gorgeous vintage boxes from her extensive collections during that day's live Zoom event, and share what's inside: maybe a downloadable doodle worksheet, maybe a journaling arty worksheet, or something completely different. There's only one way to find out: book your place.

2. Get your website, Instagram or Etsy shop reviewed live by a top art agent

Have you ever wondered how a top art agent views an artist's Instagram or website? This is your chance to find out - and perhaps even join in with the review! Once or more during the week, Lilla will play a fun and easy guessing game, and the winner will have their website, Instagram or Etsy shop reviewed LIVE during the daily live.

This is gold! Even if you aren't selected, you'll learn a ton about how to prevent your beautiful art to catch the eye of an agent or art director and help you get more of the work you want.

Please note that Lilla is extremely warm and supportive, and if you don't feel ready then you don't have to play: it's completely up to you.

Want the chance to have your website or Instagram reviewed by an international art agent for just ?59 (approx. $77)? Book your spot here.

3. Five days, five beautiful worksheets

Here's your first glance at the fabulous Mystery Box downloadable worksheets!

Each day you'll get one of Lilla's gorgeous and insightful worksheets for you to fill in, based on the contents of that day's box.

4. There's a supply list

BE STILL MY HEART. That's right: you need to buy supplies for this course. Okay, you don't need need to buy supplies for this course, but if you want to buy more art supplies (and who doesn't want to buy more art supplies?) then this is the perfect excuse.

Each day you'll get a daily art assignment and an optional daily craft assignment, and at the start of the course you'll get a supply list. You may already have many or most of what you need, and you can of course wait and see if you want to do the assignment before you buy the supplies . But if you want to buy more art supplies, well, we're just throwing it out there.

5. Play career tarot with Lilla

The future is all about creative careers: but what's in store for you? Find out with Lilla's Career Tarot.

What's next for your creative career? Wondering what to focus on? Feeling stuck? Lilla's playful Career Tarot can help give you insight and direction. As seen in Lilla's book, I Just Like to Make Things, and newly updated for 2020, it's a fun but powerful way to plan out your next steps - and she'll be playing it live with a student or two during the daily Zoom events. As Lilla says, how about we give chance a chance?

That's all for now - but if we've piqued your interest and whetted your appetite, you know what to do: book your spot here.

See you in class!

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Look out for next week's newsletter for some HUGE NEWS about a brand new course coming your way in 2021 . It's going to be a blast!

Dear Olivia, 

Lilla here. Oh, man, you are a whole bunch of brilliant artists! You delight me with your imagination, sensitivity, talent. You may have seen in last week's newsletter that we've decided to create a free public gallery to showcase all the incredible art that you've created over the past few weeks - find it here, and please do use it. I love to see what you've done. Of course, you can share your art on social media too - remember to use the tag #MATSprep and tag @makeartthatsells so I can see.

I trick you into doing your best work! You're going to be amazed at what you can achieve in my classes.

(By the way, have you heard that I'm looking to represent new artists I've spotted in Make Art That Sells classes? All 20 of the artists I've offered representation to since Make Art That Sells started in 2013 have been former students - because I have you so well trained, and because I trick you into doing your very best work!

So many of my artists are fully booked up right now - especially those who can do children's book illustration - so I'm on the lookout, especially from amongst Illustrating Children's Books students. In fact, I've just taken on yet another Make Art That Sells student - can you guess who? We'll be doing the big reveal a week from today!)

I hope that you've enjoyed this free #MATSprep as much as I've enjoyed writing it and seeing all your beautiful art. It's a great way to warm up and get ready for Illustrating Children's Books, which starts this Monday, and it also gives you a taste of my teaching style, to see if it's a good fit.

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 my course, Illustrating Children's Books.

I want you to take your drawing of Jitna from the very first prep and place her into any scene that you've done so far. If you're just joining us, head over to our blog to catch up.

Where is Jitna? Is she enjoying the environment? Is she scared? Brave? Create a story in your head for her. Play. Daydream. This is your art and you're the boss of it!

Share your art!

Once you're done, upload it to our public gallery here, and don't forget to share on social media too if you'd like to (tag @makeartthatsells and use the hashtag #MATSprep so I can see).

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!

Brilliant children's book art director and Make Art That Sells co-teacher Zo? Tucker (left) and Make Art That Sells co-founder Beth Kempton

Finally, if you like to listen to podcasts while you create, we have a treat for you this week, as Beth Kempton interviews Zo? Tucker ahead of Illustrating Children's Books! For those of you who haven't met them yet, Beth is a co-founder of Make Art That Sells and a bestselling author, and Zo? Tucker co-teaches Illustrating Children's Books with me and is also a brilliant children's book art director and bestselling children's picture book author. They chat about everything from how to pitch a children's picture book to how to thrive as a children's book illustrator to how it feels to see your words come alive on the page: listen in for free on our blog post here.

Enjoy, and see you in class.

Lots of love

Lilla xxx

Facebook Live Replay!

Did you miss the brilliant chat with the wonderful Vanessa Brantley-Newton. An illustrator of over 87 children''s books and diversity expert. 

Watch the replay on Facebook here.

P.S. Mark your calendars! Join me this Monday, July 27th @ 12 Noon ET/5pm UK, for a FREE public live event with my brilliant co-teacher, Zo? Tucker! We'll be showing a few of our favorite children's books and sharing what makes the illustrations so spectacular. Join us!

Dear Olivia,

Hold on to your hat, because we're about to announce art agent Lilla's brand NEW course for 2021, and it's a doozy!

Have you ever thought how cool it would be to invent your very own toy or game, with your own beautiful art . ? Now's your chance! Introducing . <drum roll please>

New for 2021: My Toy Pitch!

Here are Riley and Lilla with a very exciting announcement!

Get ready to turn play into pay! In this brand new course, art agent Lilla will join up with Make Art That Sells devotee, toy and game creative director and creator of the smash hit Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game, Riley Wilkinson, to bring you a powerful one of a kind course that will open up a whole new and exciting market for your art. Plus you're going to LOVE Riley!

Toys with art by artists represented by Lilla Rogers: Princess Magic by Rebecca Jones for Mudpuppy, Purrmaid by Flora Waycott for Mudpuppy and wooden puzzle by Helen Dardik for Auzou. Let Lilla and Riley show you how to leverage your existing art and come up with your own unique toys and games!

Toy sales are booming right now: for the first six months of 2020, sales of toys and games were up by a huge 16% compared to the same period last year, according to NPD Group toys industry analyst Juli Lennett, with more than $368.8 billion being spent on online toy-shopping, $77 billion higher than expected, according to Adobe Analytics. The boom is expected to last as long as the current pandemic continues, but even then sales are expected to rise: according to a forecast by market research company Report Linker, the toys and games market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.91% from 2020 to 2025. In other words: there's never been a better time to dive in to this exciting market.

Together, Lilla and Riley will share insider industry secrets and show you how to leverage your existing art for the toy and game market, as well as helping you to create five different pitches for five key categories:

• pretend play
• games
• characters
• play sets
• and a bonus week where you'll bring everything together to develop your very own unique one of a kind toy!

Meet your co-teacher Riley: Make Art That Sells student, toy and game creative director with 25 years' experience in the industry, and creator of the smash hit Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game, which has sold over 2 million units and has more than 6,000 five star reviews on Amazon.

There isn't another course on the market like this! It's jam-packed with assignments, videos, insider lessons, downloadables, and live reviews that'll be your ticket into a unique, imaginative playland.

Here's what your teachers, Lilla and Riley, are going to teach you:

• Weekly assignments in that week's category
• Twice weekly live events with Lilla and Riley
• Weekly reviews of a selection of class assignments
• Weekly product boards showing dozens of contemporary products in that week's category, along with analysis of what makes them a hit
• Weekly curated mood boards full of inspiration with supporting downloads and analysis
• Weekly Pitch Examples that show you what your pitches should look like and contain
• Riley's Insider Case Studies
• Teaching on how to amp up your pitch with added twists and features like sound, movement, lights and more
• VIP interviews
• Video lessons from Lilla and Riley on how to leverage your existing art, Riley's Improv Inventing and more

. and much more.

Contemporary and vintage items from Lilla's personal collection: there isn't another course like this! Pink-haired doll by Suzy Ultman for Land of Nod/Crate & Barrel, Zodiac Embroidery kit by Mara Penny for Running Press, All Good Things are Wild and Free wooden by Sarah Walsh for Compendium, Inc.

And here are some of the things you can expect to learn:

. Advice on how to work with art directors in the toy industry
. Relevant, printable reference materials that will give you an edge
. Toy market landscape overview with samples and discussion videos
. Advice, examples, and real-life lessons
. Tactics on growing your own toy illustration career
. Lessons, guidance, and solid coaching to guide you on how to make a stellar pitch
. How to pitch and who to pitch to, including lists of companies that accept submissions (there are tons!)

You'll explore literally hundreds of toys both contemporary and vintage, with unique insights from industry insider Riley on what makes them a hit.

Who's it for? Everyone! If you've ever thought it would be really cool to invent a toy or game and put your art on it, then it's is for you. Plus of course, it's a whole new income stream, which is really important when you're building a successful creative career.

Do I need to be an illustrator? No! This course is perfect for everyone, whether you're an artist, an inventor, a dreamer, a doodler, or just someone who's ever thought it would be really cool to come up with your very own toy or game.

Lilla says: "This course is for anyone who wants to learn how to develop unique products, toys and games using their brilliant art and their own wonderful creative brains. I can't wait to see what's going to come out of it!"

Riley says: "As a toy and game inventor and agent, I've learned that unique toy concepts are created by unique people. That person is you! In  this course, Lilla and I will teach you about the toy industry and how to think like an inventor. You'll learn how to come up with unique ideas and unexpected concepts. You'll hear from industry experts. You'll learn about toy categories, what sells, and what doesn't.

My Toy Pitch is the course I wish existed when I began my career. We've got so much to share with you. See you in the toy aisle (and in class)!"

Take my money! My Toy Pitch isn't ready to launch quite yet . But keep your eyes peeled for our huge Cyber Sale, coming up at the end of November, and you could grab your spot before it's officially launched - and with a juicy discount too!

• Are you looking for an inspiring role that will allow you to help creative people succeed in the art industry?
• Are you a brilliant communicator, who loves social media and writing for online platforms and newsletters?
• Are you positive, self-motivated, service-minded and super-organized?
• Would you like a flexible role in a friendly team?

We're hiring! Since launching in 2013 Make Art That Sells has rapidly gained a reputation as the go-to course for anyone serious about making commercially viable art whilst staying true to themselves, and now we're looking for a positive, enthusiastic and highly organised freelance Project Assistant to join our friendly team. Click here to read more on our website!

Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Look out for a *huge* announcement coming up next week . !

Dear Olivia, 

What does 2021 have in store for you? Let art agent Lilla fill it with inspiring assignments that will help you to create your best ever art so you can land the illustration jobs you love!

What are your dreams and plans for 2021? Here's a quick exercise from art agent Lilla: close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine that you've just opened an email and there it is: the message beyond your wildest dreams! What does it say? How does it make you feel?

Perhaps it's an email from an agent you contacted, offering you representation. Perhaps you've just landed your first children's book illustration gig - or your fifth. Perhaps it's from a publisher saying they loved the children's book pitch you emailed over to them, or a creative director getting in touch to let you know that they are obsessed with your home d?cor designs and want to work with you.

Whatever it is, sketch it out and pin it somewhere where you can see it: Lilla is a big believer in manifesting your future. And please do share it with us on Instagram as well. Which courses do you need to achieve your aims?

Get all this in 2021! Here's your schedule for My Year of Art School ALL. It's so full of goodness! Get ready to fill your year with inspiration, motivation and everything you need to put a rocket ship under your creative career!

Yesterday we kicked off our GIANT CYBER SALE, our biggest sale of the year and an amazing opportunity for you to save on everything from individual classes to our fabulous bundles! Click here to download your gorgeous FREE sale guide.

If you're ready to dream big in 2021, then our My Year of Art School bundles are an amazing way for you to get ALL of our raved-about job-snagging courses at an incredible price - up to 50% off - plus the option of paying in installments.

Choose between: 

• My Year of Art School LIVE: A delicious buffet of scrumptious classes to whet your creative appetite and fire your enthusiasm! You get all of our renowned LIVE classes, including art agent Lilla's brand new live courses for 2021: My Toy Pitch. You'll get the structure, support, and assignments you need to help you create your very best art.
   
• My Year of Art School ALL: An all-you-can-eat cornucopia featuring ALL of the classes we are running in 2021, both live and self-paced. With four brand new additions to our self-paced courses this year - Illustrating Children's Books PLUS, Home D?cor PLUS, Portfolio Review and Lilla's Mystery Box - it's absolutely jam-packed with goodness. If you're serious about upping your game and thriving as a professional artist then this is the bundle for you!

Here's what you get in the My Year of Art School LIVE COURSES bundle! What an incredible bounty of career-changing goodness and support!

With both bundles, you also get five bonus assignments from our archives, including finalist assignments from our renowned Global Talent Search and exclusive access to never-seen-before assignments created especially by art agent Lilla for her artists, to help you create your best portfolio ever. And of course you get access to our wonderful private super-supportive My Year student Facebook group, where you can chat with your fellow students, share tips and successes, and enjoy the occasional sneak attack by Lilla!

2021 is a blank canvas ... Explore our courses here, and get ready to fill it up with art and beauty!

Still not sure if My Year of Art School is for you? Here are just nine reasons why you need these bundles in your life in 2021!

1. You want the inspiration and excitement of LIVE classes where you can add comments, ask questions and interact with your teachers in real time - plus have the opportunity to get *your* art directly in front of a top art agent and maybe reviewed live (and still learn tons even if your work isn't picked)!

2. You want Lilla's famous assignments, which are motivating and playful and which lead you step by step to create stunning portfolio pieces that an art director or client will love to see!

3. You're ready to make real money doing what you love. You want to learn how to build a thriving creative career and turn your side hustle into your main hustle, or take your hustle to the next level!

4. You want to explore new exciting markets for your art from editorial to children's books to home d?cor and more. Multiple markets mean multiple income streams for you, so your career is more lucrative and more interesting!

5. You want accountability and deadlines to keep you motivated and on track. (Deadlines are a creative's best friend!)

How do you get your art on cool products like these by Sarah Walsh, represented by Lilla Rogers? Let Lilla show you how!

6. You want to spend 2021 with Lilla and her inimitable brand of wisdom, with and warmth!

7.  You'll get access to our fantastic online community. One of the most supportive groups around, they're there for you to ask questions, share tips, give feedback, and celebrate success!

8. You love to get good value! Our My Year of Art School bundles are just a fraction of the cost of a year of traditional art school even before you throw in our amazing half price discount - plus you can do them from anywhere in the world, in your pyjamas if you want (and let's face it: after 2020, the year of the Zoom, are any of us really ready to start wearing proper pants again?).

9.  Our courses really work: click here to read alumni success stories!

Here's your schedule for My Year of Art School LIVE. What an incredible year!

Don't miss out! Our Giant Cyber Sale must end at midnight on Monday, November 30th! Read more about what's included in our fabulous My Year of Art School bundles and sign up here.

After the sale, these courses will be sold separately at full price, so don't miss your chance to save big and make 2021 the year for your art to shine!

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Did you miss our Zoom Webinar yesterday? Come and meet our 2021 teachers and learn more about the classes in our Cyber Sale! Watch the replay on the MATS blog here.

Above: Lilla and Riley talk about our new class for 2021!

Dear Olivia,

Our raved-about online course, Illustrating Children's Books, starts TODAY! Every year, this course creates a whole new flurry of book deals for our wonderful students - read about just some of them here, or scroll down for another student success story.

Over five incredible weeks, your brilliant teachers, top art agent Lilla Rogers and renowned children's book art director and author Zo? Tucker, will lead you step by step to create a fabulous pitch presentation that contains everything an art director or publisher wants to see. And on the way, they'll teach you everything you need to know about the wonderful world of children's book illustration in a way that's both fun and fascinating: you won't want it to end.

Art by Make Art That Sells student Michelle Carlos for Illustrating Children's Books 2019.

Our original texts are written specially for class and are carefully designed to help every student shine.

You'll get daily drawing prompts, weekly LIVE reviews with your teachers, Lilla and Zoe, tons of beautifully designed downloadable worksheets, and tons more. Book your spot here.

Get your FREE Text Chooser

Sign up now and you'll get instant access to four brand new original texts written especially for class and your first daily drawing prompt (want to write your own unique story? Check out Lilla's brand new course, My Kid Book Pitch, here). So you can dive straight into class, your teachers, Lilla and Zo?, have created this insightful Text Chooser Tool, that will help you dig deep into your personality and find the right text for you.

Jester Hipster, Sherlock or Madame Bodoni: what type of children's book illustrator are you? Our FOUR unique texts ensure that everyone can create their very best art.

Covering animals, people and objects, and in a range of moods from tender to humorous to dreamy, these unique texts have been carefully designed to ensure that every student does their very best art: you'll be amazed at what you can achieve in just five short weeks. Book here!

Join your teachers, Lilla and Zo?, for a FREE Facebook Live event on the main Make Art That Sells Facebook page TODAY at 12 noon ET/5pm UK. They'll be sharing some of their favorite children's picture books and talking about what makes them so spectacular, and more. Don't miss it!

Art by Make Art That Sells student Anna Lindsten for a former Illustrating Children's Books.

Anna has secured several children's book illustration jobs since taking the course - read more here.

Hurry! Class starts today - don't miss a minute! We can't wait to see what you're going to do. Book your spot here.

See you in class!

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Join Lilla and a special guest this Thursday, July 30th, at 12.30 pm ET for a very exciting WebinART! Details coming soon!

Dear Olivia, 

We're hiring, for one of the most important positions on our team!

Are you looking for an inspiring role that will allow you to help creative people succeed in the art industry, working directly with MATS Co-founders Lilla Rogers and Beth Kempton?

Are you a proven manager, who can juggle all the moving parts of a project and gets the best out of others? Are you a data lover, who excels at analysing social media, newsletter and website statistics to help your team perform better?

Are you positive, self-motivated, service-minded and super-organized? Would you like a flexible role in a friendly and creative team, based out of the UK but internationally connected? If so, you might just be the Make Art That Sells (MATS) Project Manager we are looking for!

This is a rare opportunity to be part of the Make Art That Sells (MATS) team, one of the world's leading online educational experiences for artists wanting to make their work more commercially viable. Our much-loved MATS Manager Jitna Bhagani is leaving us after several years in post, to pursue her passion of running a social enterprise. We are looking for a new Manager to be the hub and heartbeat of our team, and bring to life the exciting plans we have for our MATS community in 2021.

If you love the sound of this role, download the job description and application form and be sure to submit by the deadline (midnight GMT Tuesday 12 January, 2021).

Some important notes:

1. This is a UK-based position. You will need permission to work in the UK and we are unfortunately unable to support visas or relocation. There are no exceptions to this, so please only apply if you are UK-based.
    
2. The successful candidate will be based remotely with most communication by Zoom and email, with occasional in-person meet-ups.
    
3. This is a managerial position not a design position (but you will be working on a creative project with a creative team so it will be super inspiring!)

Shortlisted candidates will be notified by email by Friday 15 January. If shortlisted you must be available for a virtual interview via Zoom, on Thursday 21 January.

If you know someone who might be perfect for the role, please let them know about it!

Thank you so much!
Lilla, Beth and the MATS team

Dear Olivia,

One of the things that makes Make Art That Sells courses unique is that they present an incredible opportunity to get your artwork directly in front of top art agent, Lilla Rogers. Lilla is always looking to take on new artists at her agency - because so many of them, especially those whose art includes illustrating children's books, are completely booked up and she can't give them any more commissions.

And she's especially interested in scooping up artists from Make Art That Sells courses. Why? Lilla says it's because Make Art That Sells students are so well trained! Her courses help you to make art in a way that will appeal to agents and art directors, so you can get the work you deserve and build a lucrative creative career. Plus, she also gets to see what students are like in class: are they supportive and positive in their interactions with other students? Do they give their all to assignments? Do they produce stunning work on time?

In fact, since Make Art That Sells was founded in 2013, 21 artists were taken on by Lilla Rogers Studio have been Make Art That Sells students! Last week, we were thrilled to announce that Lilla has just offered representation to yet another student.

Janie Secker!

Lilla says: "Janie has a unique and immediately identifiable look which is both painterly and beautiful, with highly-rendered and realistic imagery in a dreamy style. When I first saw her children's book work for The Lucky Pearl, I knew I needed to help her get children's book work and see her work published. She has an incredible range, covering everything from home d?cor to greetings cards to surface pattern design and of course children's book illustration. And I absolutely adore her refined and controlled sense of color - as anyone who has taken my courses will know, color is make or break for me, and Janie uses it expertly. I'm thrilled to be representing Janie."

Janie's front cover for The Lucky Pearl, created for Illustrating Children's Books. Lilla especially loved the work that Janie created for this class, which Janie described as "the moment when I let go, fully embraced my style and started to have fun!" People buy your joy!

Huge congratulations, Janie! We caught up with her to find out more.

MATS: How did you get started in art and design?

Janie says: With a packet of crayons, age three! My Dad was an art dealer so I was lucky enough to be surrounded by art from year dot! I spent most of my career publishing New Zealand artists' work on wall art and stationery, and that's when I learned how to use photoshop and began painting digitally myself.

MATS: Which Make Art That Sells courses have you taken? 

Janie says: When I discovered Make Art That Sells, I went large, bought the Year of Art bundle and fell headlong! I signed up again for the following two years. There's an energy in the classroom which is infectious and very addictive.

Janie's board created for a Make Art That Sells home d?cor class. Book your place on Creating Collections for Home D?cor here - you can start the moment you sign up!

MATS: Which course was your favorite, and why?

Janie says: I have to give you two! Assignment Bootcamp for play and exploration, and Illustrating Children's Books for an intense learning experience that stretches you in every direction - it's an incredible incubator for personal growth no matter which area of illustration you are interested in.

MATS: What is your favorite piece of work from a Make Art That Sells course?

Janie says: It has to be my character design for The Lucky Pearl. It was literally the moment when I let go, fully embraced my style and started to have fun.

Janie's Lucky Pearl character for Illustrating Children's Books, one of her favorite courses: she calls it "an incredible incubator for personal growth no matter which area of illustration you are interested in".

MATS: How have the classes helped you evolve/grow?

Janie says: Being in a safe, encouraging environment, surrounded by incredible illustrators is everything. I also learned so much from the live reviews - listening to Lilla's comments on the selected pieces and why they were successful was illuminating, and really helped me to understand how to apply those concepts to my own work.

MATS: What was the best/most valuable thing you learned from MATS?

Janie says: You be you. That was a process for me - I felt very vulnerable about my unusual style and it took time to lean into it. But that was really the first piece of famous Lilla advice that stuck in my mind: "Be you, with a vengeance"!

Art by Janie created for Assignment Bootcamp, which she says is one of her favorite courses. Bootcamp is finished for 2020, but you can register your interest for Assignment Bootcamp 2021 here.

MATS: How did you feel when Lilla got in touch to discuss representation?

Janie says: When Lilla invited me to join LRS (on a Zoom call), I literally cried. I get a little jolt of surprise every morning when I wake up, and I'm still pinching myself.

MATS: What work did Lilla have you create for her before launch?

Janie says: Lilla asked me to create some portrait, seasonal and lettering work. And then, of course, the banners for the webinar and representation announcement, which has been such a fun and exciting assignment to work on.

MATS: What brings you joy?

Janie says: Watching the happiness on my dogs' faces when we walk on the beach. My husband's dry and sometimes weird sense of humour. Cuddles with my mum. And drawing beside the fire on a rainy day.

MATS: What''s your dream job?

Janie says: Illustrating a compendium of insects or flowers. Or lush packaging. Or kitchenware. Or a cover for a novel. Or illustrating a delightfully weird children's book. So many dreams!

One of Janie's character sheets for Illustrating Children's Books. Lilla says that this was one of the pieces which first really grabbed her attention.

MATS: What''s your best tip or piece of advice for Make Art That Sells students?

Janie says: I'd say try not to get too anxious about finding your style. Daily practice will refine and then define but I truly believe it's already right there inside you - a little seed that is already programmed to have a certain type of flower. It's your unique language, made up from a lifetime of experiences and the things you connect with. You can't force it, and often others will recognise it well before you can see it yourself. It WILL happen.

Thank you, Janie! Do you want the opportunity to get your beautiful art directly in front of art agent Lilla? Book one of her raved-about courses today!

See you in class!

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Did you miss Janie's WebinART with Lilla last week? Catch up here. Password: $RiEDi5y

Dear Olivia, 

#MATSPREP DAY TWO

Lilla here. Let's warm up for my newest course, My Kid Book Pitch which starts Monday, October 12th.

Did you find yesterday's Fun With Puzzles Magic Card activated your imagination? If you missed it, click here.

Today, we've got Button Man. Take a moment for yourself, away from devices and humans and noise, and let your mind wander. See what pops into your head.

First, let's take a good look at Button Man. I've had this guy for many years. Don't know when I got him, but I always loved that his body was made of buttons. (Poor guy lost an arm along the way). Note the vintage lace around his head, the lipstick heart-shaped mouth, the buttons sewed onto his gingham hat. Is it a boy or girl? Does it matter? What is gender, anyway? What else do you discover?

Does he creep you out? Why? The clown thing? Does he make you want to make a button man yourself? Maybe it makes you think about all the buttons you have shoved in a junk drawer that you've saved, and that makes you feel guilty. Maybe you are excited to collect vintage buttons. Maybe you love clothes with lots of buttons on them.

Maybe it makes you think fondly about a toy or doll or stuffed animal you had a kid. You know, that furry white cat with the wind up knob on its belly that played that song? What was that song again? And where did that fur come from, by the way? And remember how much fun you had making a petting zoo with all your stuffed animals with Becca? She had the coolest green fluffy snake.

1. Get out a piece of paper or your journal and free associate. See how a button doll can get you thinking? Take a moment to write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how seemingly off track or odd. Doodle. Don't be shy or censure yourself. Let your mind wander. You'll want this for tomorrow's #MATSprep.

2. Include any scenes that pop into your head, and make note of any emotions that come up.

3. Mash Up! Play around with combining Puzzle Book and Button Man in your head. Let them play together. What do they do? If they were to get into a little mischief, what would it be? If they wanted to help a friend, what would they do? Does the Puzzle Book talk? What does it say? Write down some ideas, sentences, phrases. Add sketches if you like. There are no bad ideas.

Don't forget to share what you do today. If you've created an image, then share it on Instagram with the hashtag #MATSprep so I can see it. Even if you've just written notes, share that too. You can make your notes pretty or mix them up with sketches and doodles, or just share what you've written. Don't forget the #MATSprep tag - I'll be looking for them! I can't wait to see them.

Be sure to join me in class for more goodness and to craft your own wonderful story. Sign up here. Hurry, class starts Monday, October 12th!

Xo
Lilla

P.S. I'll be back on Saturday for the third and final part of your #MATSprep!

Join Lilla for a public ''Live with Lilla'' event to celebrate her new course - My Kid Book Pitch!

When: Friday, October 9 at 12:00 Noon PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

JOIN HERE

Passcode: magic

Dear Olivia, 

There's something very special about getting to listen in to two creative powerhouses at the top of their game. Since early May this year, art agent Lilla has been running a series of FREE WebinART discussions with several of the incredible artists she represents (plus a fabulous group chat during their virtual residency in September!).

Some of the banners that Lilla's artists created for their WebinARTs.

If you've ever wanted to find out more about an artist's creative process, how they come up with fresh ideas, their tips for other artists and illustrators, what makes a great art director, how they manage their time and tons more, then you're going to love these.

Plus of course there's always plenty of gorgeous eye candy, as they show off current projects and recent work.

Lilla chats with Lilla Rogers Studio's very latest artist and Make Art That Sells student, Janie Secker.

You can find all of Lilla's WebinARTS on the Make Art That Sells website here.

If you love this, then we're pretty sure that you're also going to love Lilla's upcoming course (and the very last live Make Art That Sells course of 2020!), Lilla's Mystery Box. What's in the box? Keep an eye out for next week's newsletter, when we'll be spilling (just some of) the beans .

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

Dear Olivia,

Wondering what 2021 will have in store? Art agent Lilla will be performing her fascinating career tarot for Make Art That Sells co-founder, Beth Kempton, in a FREE live Zoom event at 12 noon ET/5 pm GMT TODAY! Click here to find your time zone if you need to, and set an alarm on your phone now!

Five days, five mystery boxes . What's inside? Sign up for Lilla's Mystery Box, which starts THIS MONDAY, November 16th, to find out!

She'll also be telling you all about her very last live course of the year, Lilla's Mystery Box, which starts THIS MONDAY, November 16th. Okay, not all about, because then it wouldn't be mystery, but here's what we know so far:

• You'll join Lilla LIVE every day from this coming Monday to Friday to open the day's mystery box and discover what's inside
• There'll be daily art and craft projects - and a supplies list
• You'll get gorgeous daily journaling worksheets to download and complete
• Lilla will be doing LIVE reviews of a volunteer's website, Instagram or Etsy - and it could be yours!
• She'll be sharing tons of stories, advice and wisdom from her years in the industry as an illustrator, art agent and educator
• And if you want to know even more about what 2021 has in store, she'll also be doing her fun but insightful career tarot for one or more lucky volunteers during the course of the week!

What does 2021 have in store for your creative career? Find out with Lilla's surprisingly insightful career tarot - she'll be doing it for one or more lucky volunteers during Lilla's Mystery Box!

What's career tarot? Find out today as Make Art That Sells co-founder and best-selling author Beth Kempton joins Lilla in the FREE live Zoom TODAY, where Lilla will be doing career tarot for Beth, answering your questions, and more!

Want in? Whatever level you're at, this course is perfect for you. It's for anyone creative, whether you're an illustrator, a crafter, a designer, a doodler, or just someone who wants to finish out this rollercoaster of a year feeling calm and refreshed.

Find out more about Lilla's Mystery Box and book your spot here, and join Lilla and Beth for today's fabulous live Zoom event at 12 noon ET/5 pm GMT here!

Lots of love,

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Hurry HURRY! Class starts THIS MONDAY - grab your spot now!

P.P.S. We're hiring! Since launching in 2013 Make Art That Sells has rapidly gained a reputation as the go-to course for anyone serious about making commercially viable art whilst staying true to themselves, and now we're looking for a positive, enthusiastic and highly organized freelance Project Assistant to join our friendly team.  Click here to learn more and download the application form. Completed applications are due by the 23rd of November!

Dear Olivia, 

• Want to make your art better than ever in 2021?
• Want to fill your portfolio with stunning job-snagging on-trend art?
• Want to land so many jobs that you're getting to pick and choose what you want to do and turning potential clients away?

Our huge cyber sale is on NOW, with juicy discounts across every single one of our raved-about courses plus huge savings on some scrumptious bundles that will give you everything you need to light a fire under your creative career in 2021. Download your copy of our gorgeous FREE sale guide here to see everything that's included. Need some help deciding? The guide includes our fab Bundle Chooser to help you out, whatever your goals and dreams for the year ahead.

Which courses will you take in 2020? With 25% off individual courses and up to 50% off bundles, you'll be spoilt for choice! Download your sale guide here.

If you're tempted but not sure if you should take the plunge, here are five great reasons why you need Make Art That Sells courses in your life in 2021.

1. MATS COURSES keep you motivated

The best way to improve your art is to make more art! Art agent Lilla says: "The more art you make, the better it will be, and the more interesting, exciting and lucrative your creative career will be."

It can be hard to do on your own though, can't it? It's overwhelming. You don't know where to start. Perhaps it's wintry and gray where you are and you're not feeling all that inspired.

Books illustrated by artists represented by Lilla. Are you dreaming of illustrating - or even writing - your own children's picture book? Let Lilla show you how. Browse her courses here.

Lilla's fantastic online courses - especially her LIVE courses - will change all that! They'll give you structure and accountability, because you're making your unique art alongside a whole bunch of other creative people - and with Make Art That Sells live courses, you get motivating deadlines too. Plus you can add comments and ask questions in real time. Suddenly it's fun and engaging! Plus Lilla's unique teaching method is full of whimsy and surprises, which leads us on to .

2. Lilla's inimitable style

As well as a top art agent, Lilla has also been an educator for decades, teaching everyone from kids to college students to professional artists. She prides herself on the effectiveness of her teaching, and she works hard to make her classes enjoyable and fun so that you're excited to do them and your joy shines through in the work that you do.

"I trick you into doing your best work." - Lilla Rogers

One way of doing this is to break things down into manageable chunks and to include plenty of surprises and twists along the way, so you're always engaged in what's coming next. In Assignment Bootcamp, for example, you get one playful Mini Assignment the first week every month, which you then build on when you get that month's Main Assignment the second week, so you're eased into it - and then bam! Before you know it you've created a great piece of art for your portfolio.

Graphic novel by Make Art That Sells student Jo Podmore for Assignment Bootcamp. Book your place now at 25% off or save big when you buy a bundle - see everything that's included here.

The assignments are meant to inspire and challenge you. You'll make fresh pieces in your own style that sell to hot markets. You're encouraged to be yourself and do it your way, in your medium.

Lilla says: "Part of the way I motivate artists is to build a level of suspense over the weeks. It's the way I teach-to break everything down into bite-sized bits so students don't get overwhelmed, and then to build up to the final piece. I always like to give a Mini Assignment that will bring out the best in each student. How? By making it approachable, easy to draw, but with a broad scope so there is plenty of room for diversity of styles." Speaking of which .

3. MATS COURSES work for everyone, regardless of style or level

Lilla says: "Here's the thing: I'm cool with whatever level you're at, from beginner to full-time art professional. I create the assignments so they're perfect for everyone. So join us."

Art by Make Art That Sells student Rhian Stone for Illustrating Children's Books 2020. Book your place now at 25% off or save big when you buy a bundle - see everything that's included here.

Lilla adds: "My courses are for anyone who wants to have a great time making their work better and market-ready in a supportive environment. All levels, all styles are welcome. I design the assignments so that everyone benefits. We have top artists in the classes as well as newbies. There's a lot of energy in my courses, and friendships develop that last for years." Which reminds us .

4. You get to be part of a super supportive community

Nothing is more fun that making your best artwork with a lively group of like-minded students.

Art created for a My Year of Art School bonus assignment by Make Art That Sells student Jemma Jamie Skidmore. Want to fill your year with beautiful, inspiring assignments like this? Grab My Year of Art School here for half price!

Making art can sometimes be a lonely experience, but with Make Art That Sells you suddenly have a community of wonderful creative people who are working on the same piece of artwork that you are. You have company! Plus you have support and inspiration, because whatever stage you're at you'll be able to find someone who understands where you're at, and because it's an incredible learning opportunity to see how other artists tackle the same assignment that you're working on. Which brings us to .

5. Tons of creative inspiration and original assignments from a top art agent

Would you like to pack 2021 full of creative inspiration and original assignments from a top art agent - maybe a mini assignment to pique your interest, a fun video, an inspiring new trend board created by Lilla, or a full blown assignment designed to help you create cool market-savvy art?

As a agent, Lilla sees the work that her artists are getting, so she knows exactly what is popular right now, which companies are assigning work, and what's coming up for the next year or so, and her assignments are based on this inside info, so you can be sure that Lilla's assignments are always on trend.

Lilla says: "As an art agent, I?assign jobs to my artists every single day. I know what clients want to see. What they assign. What they are looking for. Which imagery, themes, and topics are hot, which color palettes are exciting, which products are selling like gangbusters, and which aren't. So I build my assignments around those considerations."

Look at all this goodness! Do you want a whole year packed with creative inspiration from a top art? Download your full sale guide here and get ready to make your very best art in 2020!

Do you want to pack the year ahead with unique assignments and creative inspiration from a top art agent? Do you want to create gorgeous portfolio pieces that will wow agents, art directors and more? View our raved-about online courses here and create a schedule that works for you, or sign up for our incredible My Year of Art School bundle to get every single one of Lilla's outstanding courses PLUS a bonus assignments for an astonishing 50% off! But HURRY - these prices (and the option to pay by installments) are only available while our sale lasts, until Monday, November 30th!

See you in class!

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Chop chop, shake a leg and get your skates on! Our sale ends TOMORROW!

Plus, join your Illustrating Children's Books and My Kid Book Pitch teachers, art agent Lilla and children's book art director and author Zo?, in a FREE live Zoom TOMORROW, Monday 30th November, at 10.30 am ET/3.30 pm GMT! They'll be answering your questions, sharing teaching tips, showing some of their favorite pictures books and more. Set an alarm on your phone now!

Dear Olivia,

#MATSPREP Day One!

Every week in the My Kids Book Pitch class you'll get powerful new downloads that build into an amazing 100+ page workbook!

Lilla here! Welcome to Day One of your #MATSprep: MAGIC CARDS!

What's a #MATSprep? What's even MATS? MATS is my course site, Make Art That Sells. For many of my courses, I like to get my students prepared for class, to give a taste of the what's to come, and to get everyone motivated.

This Prep is to get you warmed up for My Kid Book Pitch, my newest course for Make Art That Sells, which begins Monday, October 12th. I honestly couldn't be more excited about this course. Having done the course as a beta for my artists, I know that you're going to make some amazing stories from this. It works.

I'd like to introduce you to my Magic Cards. To warm you up for class, for each day of this three-day Prep, I'll give you a single Magic Card. The cards we're using for the Prep aren't part of the course, they're just to give you an idea (so really you get 29 Magic Cards in total!).

On Day One of the course you'll get a set of 26 Magic Cards that I made just for the course, and a 9-page Magic Cards worksheet! I've made these cards especially for you which each showcase one nutty item from my collection, and they work magic on the imagination. A great story comes out of an imaginative mind, so let's get started!

Here is Your Assignment

Today, I want you to free associate. What comes to your mind when you see the Fun With Puzzles Book Card? Jot down your ideas and any feelings that come up. Add drawings if you like.

This might get you to think about when you were a kid, what you played. Maybe you wanted a puzzle book like this. Maybe it brings up feelings like you were really seen for your love of mathematical things. Maybe you weren't seen. Maybe your brother got all the attention for being smart with puzzles and school and you didn't. Maybe you got all the attention for being creative and he didn't. Maybe you feel bad about that.

Maybe you loved being on the puzzle team in school. Maybe the Puzzle book makes you think of all the fun games you played as a child, or that you play now with your kids. Maybe you feel guilty that you didn't play more games with your kids. Maybe you love that you made up games for your kids. Maybe it has nothing to do with any of that. Maybe it makes you want to go thrifting and find wacky old books like this!

Maybe it's not even about the feelings, but just the visuals. Maybe you love the bright colors and the star motif. How about that hand-drawn lettering? What else do you see?

See how a funny little book can get you thinking? Take a moment to write down absolutely anything that comes to mind, no matter how seemingly off track or odd. Don't be shy or censure yourself. Let your mind wander. Daydreamers, this is for you!

TIP: Sketch any scenes that pop into your head and make note of any emotions that come up, too. All children's picture books need to have the feels, so this is good practice.

You: Lilla, why the heck are you making us do this?

Me: Because the way to get to a fresh, unique story is to get into that full, robust, quirky mind of yours.

You: But Lilla, I'm not quirky. There's nothing unusual about me. Nothing comes to my mind!

Me: Take a moment to just keep studying the image and take some slow gentle breaths. That will stimulate the creative mind. And by the way, every human has stories in their heads. This game will help you get there.

You #2: But I have a ton of stories in my head! I'm an imagination machine!

Me: That's great! But let's take it a step at a time. Start jotting down your impressions of the Fun with Puzzles book for today. We'll build step by step over the course of this three day prep.

I'd love to see what you do today. If you've created an image (or images) then share them on Instagram with the hashtag #MATSprep so I can find them. Even if you've just written notes, share that too. You can make your notes pretty or mix them up with sketches and doodles, or just share what you've written. Don't forget the #MATSprep tag - I'll be looking for them!

Be sure to join me in class for more goodness and to craft your own wonderful story. Sign up here. Hurry, class starts Monday, October 12th!

Xo
Lilla

P.S. See you on Thursday for Day 2 of your MATSprep! Don't miss it!

Dear Olivia, 

"The COVID period is all about juvenile books." Kristen McLean, executive director, business development for NPD Books, quoted in Publishers Weekly.

Some of the gorgeous picture books that Lilla will be discussing in the weekly show and tell live events in My Kid Book Pitch. What will your children's picture book look like?

In a recent poll on our Instagram story, you told us that 74% of you and/or your kids have been reading more during the coronavirus pandemic, and it's easy to see why:

• Unlike many other arts, books can be enjoyed alone and at home, and - outside of a full lockdown - they can easily be produced and distributed
• When we've had our horizons shrunk so significantly, the need for escapism, wonder and magic is more powerful than ever
• With so many of us home schooling (surely British Jennie's isn't the only home school where everyone is crying and no one is wearing pants?), we're heavily reliant on books to help us educate our children - especially those vital social skills they may be missing out on
• While we're restricted from seeing family and friends, the bond that comes from reading together has never been so important

It's clear that books are a boon to children, parents and individuals - but what about artists and creative people? Whether you're looking for a change of direction, you're wanting to turn your side hustle into something more substantial, or you want to take your creative career to the next level, here are four reasons why focusing on kids' books can help pandemic-proof your career.

Want to get started? Art agent Lilla's brand NEW course, My Kid Book Pitch, will help you dig deep into your unique, brilliant personality to come up with a story that only you can write. Class starts Monday, October 12th: book your spot here.

1. SALES ARE BOOMING

When we went into lockdown, we went shopping. In the US there was a 66% lift in sales of children's non-fiction books in the week ending 21 March, according to the NPD Group, while longer-term, according to the Association of American Publishers, revenue from children's and young adult books was up 14.5% between July 2019 and July 2020, from $163.1m to $186.7m. Chronicle Books say that "Children's books, games, jigsaw puzzles, and adult coloring books have been strong sellers during the lockdowns".

The same pattern is repeated elsewhere. In the UK, children's educational titles went up a whopping 234%, to the third-highest level on record, in the final week of March, according to a BBC report. And according to The Guardian, publisher Bloomsbury reported a 28% growth in consumer sales in the four months ending in June 2020. Bloomsbury had previously predicted that its print revenues could fall up to 75% due to coronavirus - but they actually rose by 9%.

"Self-isolation around the world has seen a boom in reading. Books and reading are the ideal way of escaping our four walls, but also to understand what is happening around us, how to overcome this and how to make our lives better in the future."
- Hugo Setzer, president of the International Publishers Association

A sneak peek of the incredible My Kid Book Pitch downloadable workbook - 123 pages of goodness!

What does this mean for artists and writers? Editors, art directors and publishers need you! Lilla says that many of her artists who do children's book illustration and have taken Make Art That Sells courses are consistently booked solid, even through the pandemic.

This means that editors and publishers are looking for fresh, authentic picture book ideas right now. What are your passions? What would you love a child to know? Whatever moves you, Lilla will give you the key to unlocking the exciting, imaginative, unique story that you can't wait to share - even if you don't think of yourself as a writer (yet). She'll use tons of playful games and tricks that will lead you step-by-step to create your very own picture book pitch, right when publishers need them most. Find out more and book your place here.

2. KID''S BOOKS COUNT AS ESSENTIALS 

In the early stages of the pandemic, some companies suspended or restricted distribution of some items, such as adult fiction, in order to prioritize essentials - which included children's books. And if you're a parent who's ever been desperate for just a fifteen-minute break from re-runs of Caillou, we know you'll agree.

Plus some publishers are developing new, innovative ways of delivering children's books. According to the president of Chronicle Books, Tyrrell Mahoney, the company is "developing videos, renderings, and other digital assets that can emulate the touch and feel of its books online", while online libraries of animated books, such as Vooks, are also creating new opportunities for artists.

A few of the nutty and evocative objects you'll find on Lilla's Magic Cards in class

What does this mean for artists and writers? Your market's not going anywhere: if anything, the opportunities for artists are expanding (especially those who can animate their art, as taught in Editorial LIVE). Millions of parents are currently cooped up with restless children, who they're expected to entertain, reassure, feed (oh the endless, endless snacks) and educate - and they need adventure, escape, inspiration and more. Whatever the story that only you can write looks like, it's time to let it free: find out more about My Kid Book Pitch and book your spot here.

3. IF YOU CAN WRITE *AND* ILLUSTRATE, YOU GET PAID TWICE

Being able to write and illustrate your own story is wonderfully rewarding, both emotionally and financially, and it can boost your illustration career as well.

Art agent Lilla says: "If you can also write a story, you are more appealing to editors and art directors at publishing houses, because you'll get to create your own characters and your own story and then illustrate it, so it becomes your total vision: it's incredibly thrilling. And of course, you also make twice the money-you get the advance as both author and illustrator, and all the royaltie$ as well."

In My Kid Book Pitch, you'll use the power of play plus Lilla's Write a Story Recipe and her kooky Magic Cards, to come up with a completely unique, authentic children's picture book story, that you either develop fully or, if you feel more comfortable, pitch as an idea. Want in? Find out more here.

4. THE SITUATION UNLIKELY TO CHANGE ANY TIME SOON - AND WE''LL ALWAYS NEED BOOKS

None of us know quite what the future holds just yet, but it's clear that children's books will continue to play a part. Are you ready to write yours? Lilla's brand new course, My Kid Book Pitch, starts Monday, October 12th: book your spot here.

"There's always been a feeling that books are kind of recession-proof. We didn't know if they were pandemic-proof, but they're turning out to be." - Jennifer Enderlin, St. Martin's Press

Books illustrated by some of Lilla's artists. She tells us that the artists who do picture book illustrations are booked solid - and if you can write and illustrate then you're more appealing to editors and publishers!

Lots of love

The Make Art That Sells team xxx

P.S. Lilla's FREE three-part #MATSprep for My Kid Book Pitch starts next week! It's a smart yet playful warm-up exercise that'll help you get a taste of and get ready for class, and it's open to everyone, whether you're taking My Kid Book Pitch or not. We'll be sharing on our blog and social media channels - don't miss it!