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This month Giuseppe Castellano, senior art director at Penguin Random House would like to see what you think are your two best illustration pieces
He'll pick ten from our group to examine in our live group critique with him, Monday, June 20.
At Penguin Random House (the world's largest publisher) Castellano oversees the imprints of Grosset & Dunlap (the original Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mystery series publisher), Price Stern Sloan, Frederick Warne and Co. (the original Beatrix Potter publisher), Penguin Young Readers, and Cartoon Network Books.
An accomplished illustrator in addition to being an award winning designer, he has guest-taught at top universities and art schools around the U.S. He serves as a faculty member for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and Illustration Conference.org (ICON.)
He also teaches through his popular blog and #arttips series for illustrators on Twitter @pinocastellano. (You can find more interviews and Q&As with him here.)
To participate in the June 20 session with Giuseppe Castellano, subscribe to monthly Guest Group Critiques – or register for just the one event (and video replay.) Click the link above.
Monthly group critiques are 'perfect practice'
They tell you...
What isn't working
When to push harder
When to just stop
And help you to...
Get a fresh perspective
Our guest critiquers – illustrators, author-illustrators, children’s literary agents, art directors, maybe an editor or two – examine your final in a spirit of teaching and mentoring.
Think more like a pro
Watch up close and personal how full-time creatives evaluate and troubleshoot their own and others’ pieces.
Prepare for that thing
That upcoming kidlit (or illustrators’) conference, important promotional mailing, post or sit-down with a client.
Sharpen your discernment powers
Remind you of those bedrock principles of draftsmanship, design and communication. (Funny how they keep bringing you back to those.)
Meet your tribe
Your colleagues and the expert practioners. Who share their What I Wish I Knew Then stories and become your contacts in ‘the biz.’ (It’s called networking.)
Get better at getting better
Practice with critiques helps you understand the hierarchy of feedback and how to navigate it wisely – knowing what’s valid for you now, vs. what to set aside for later.
Participate in new live critique sessions with KidLit illustration professionals every month!
Group critiques – in the classroom or around a cafe table with friends – have been training artists for centuries.
Be part of the conversation, starting today!
Improvement comes from consistent focus
Sometimes it will be your work being discussed. More often, someone else's.
Either way, you'll benefit by being there. You'll take away the insights to help you later — when it's just you behind the table making all those decisions, big and little required to complete a great picture.
You just need to watch and listen. And apply the ideas you like your way.
You don't have to go it alone...
With a subscription you can participate in all of our monthly live critique programs and immediately access replays of all the critiques we've enjoyed and learned from by these top professionals:
Click on the photos to see their websites!
Mira Reisberg, author-illustrator, teacher and founder, Children's Book Academy
Karien Naude, illustrator
Chris Schechner, designer, illustrator and art director for 20+ years for "Pockets" magazine
Loraine Joyner, senior art director for 23 years with Peachtree Publishers
Jeff Crosby, author-illustrator
Marsha Riti, illustrator
Christy Stallop, illustrator
Nick Balian, illustrator animator, art manager for digital publisher ustyme Books
Nicole Tugeau, agent and artists' rep, Tugeau2 Children's Illustrators
C.S. Jennings, author-illustrator
Annette Simon, author-illustrator
Mark Mitchell, author-illustrator and moderator
Denise Fleming, award-winning author-illustrator
Wendy Martin, author-illustrator and teacher
Mary Sullivan, award-winning author-illustrator
Jodell Sadler, founder KidLit College and agent
Kelly Sonnack, senior agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
It's a bit like art school...
But for $8.95 per month.
We'll keep it real by limiting enrollment.
Secure your spot at the table while it's available.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee!
Try out the subscription and see what you think of the next Marks and Splashes Guest Group Critique session. If you find it not hugely helpful or just not your cup of tea, write me (c/o the How To Be A Children’s Book Illustrator blog) and I’ll refund you same day, no questions asked, no worries and we’re still friends. Your replays of all of last year’s Guest Critiques are on us, until then.
You can easily cancel your subscription anytime through PayPal (or write me, c/o the blog and I’ll help with that — Mark M.)