The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Melissa Sweet Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, author, and Maine Master Naturalist, Melissa Sweet about the “convoluted” beginning of her children’s book career; why it’s a good idea for illustrators to care just a little less about their work; why all you need is a color wheel and a complement when it comes to working with color; and more.

To learn more about Melissa and her books, visit melissasweet.net.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Beatrix Potter and Robert Spellman

If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

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Lisa Kollins Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Lisa Kollins, Founder and Executive Director of The Superhero Project, about the origin story of The Superhero Project; what healing, empowering, and joy-bringing force illustration can be for children with illnesses and disabilities; how illustrators can work with Lisa; and more.

To learn more about Lisa and The Superhero Project, visit superheroprojectkids.org.

If you would like to join the “League of Extraordinary Artists”, check out this YouTube video. The Superhero Project’s Artist Inquiry Form can be found here.

The Superhero Project has limited funding available to provide honoraria for young and emerging BIPOC artists and artists with disabilities who are interested in participating. To apply for their Artist Equity Program, visit docs.google.com/forms/d/e/.

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Jaleen Grove Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustration historian, educator, and visual communicator, Jaleen Grove about the public’s lack of awareness of illustration (and why that matters); what women illustrators were doing at the turn of the 20th century; why the illustration industry has had many “deaths” over the past 150 years; and more.

To learn more about Jaleen, visit jaleengrove.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: William Morris, Katheryn Beverley, Elizabeth Ellender, Sidney Sime, Arthr Rackham, and Robert Seymour

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Carter Goodrich Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, character designer, and author, Carter Goodrich about his creative process—and why he finds it difficult to talk about his creative process; what his approach to character design is with animated films like Prince of Egypt, Shrek, and Despicable Me; why an artist moving through their career is like a leaf floating down a river; and more.

To learn more about Carter, visit cartergoodrich.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Nico Marlet, Chris Van Allsburg, David Macaulay, Akira Arita, Buck Lewis, Peter de Sève, Carlos Grangel, Vera Brosgol, Remy Charlip, Uri Shulevitz, Frank Frazetta, and Mort Drucker

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Jutta Bauer Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Jutta Bauer, about how she went from being a “bad pupil” to building a multi-award-winning career in illustration; what she has liked and disliked most about her career; whether illustrators today can change the world; and more.

To learn more about Jutta, visit jutta-bauer.info.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Axel Scheffler, Tove Jansson, Tomi Ungerer, Jean-Jacques Sempé, and Friedrich Karl Waechter

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Dr. David R. McDuff Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Dr. David R. McDuff, sports psychiatrist and faculty member at the University Of Maryland’s School Of Medicine, about his role as a mental preparation trainer for the Baltimore Orioles; what simple, doable, healthy routines help manage anxiety and stress; why athletes and artists should accept the positive energy fear can bring into their lives; and more.

To learn more about David and his practice, visit mdsports.net. Read Giuseppe’s article on the similarities between baseball and illustration on his blog.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: James Hartzell

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Shannon McNab Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Shannon McNab, surface designer, educator, and founder of Sketch Design Repeat about how she took the leap from corporate graphic design to freelance surface design; how surface designers can build a portfolio, find clients, and negotiate fees; why illustrators should really follow their own paths; and more.

To learn more about Shannon, visit shannonmcnab.com.

Other helpful links from Shannon include: Sketch Design Repeat, Pitch Your Portfolio, Artful Pricing & Negotiation, Portfolio Myths Mini-Course, and Surface Design Industry Survey

Artists mentioned in this episode include: William Morris, Alice and Martin Provensen, Jim Flora, Mary Blair, Eyvind Earle, Lisa Congdon, and Victoria Johnson

Surtex, ABC Kids Expo, and Airtable were also mentioned in this episode.

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Leonard Marcus Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, critic, and children’s book historian, Leonard S. Marcus about his book, Pictured Worlds: Masterpieces of Children’s Book Art by 101 Essential Illustrators from Around the World; why Puffin’s tampering of Roald Dahl’s text opens the doors for publishers to rewrite—and re-illustrate—anything; why we should look to illustration’s history to understand its future; and more.

To learn more about Leonard, visit leonardmarcus.com. To purchase Pictured Worlds: Masterpieces of Children’s Book Art by 101 Essential Illustrators from Around the World, visit abramsbooks.com/pictured-worlds.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jerry Pinkney, Floyd Cooper, Ashley Bryan, Shirley Hughes, Leonard Kessler, Ted Lewin, Robert Quackenbush, Lois Ehlert, Mitsumasa Anno, Eric Carle, Bryan Collier, David Macaulay, Lane Smith, David Wiesner, Květa Pacovská, Elsa Beskow, Maurice Sendak, Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire, Quentin Blake, Jean de Brunhoff, Beatrix Potter, and Allen Say

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Véronique Kirchhoff Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Véronique Kirchhoff, Literary Agent & Founder of VeroK Agency, about what illustrators should never do when emailing an agent about representation; how she represents publishers, and what it takes for a children’s book from one country to sell in another; how to “put yourself out there”; and more.

To learn more about Véronique and her agency, visit verokagency.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jean-Jacques Sempé, Alain Grée, Charlotte Steiner, Gertrude Kay, Patricia Hutchins, James Flora, and Jacqueline Ayer

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Philip Lee Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Philip Lee, cofounder and publisher of Readers to Eaters, about the founding of Lee & Low Books and the philosophy behind its mission; how wabi-sabi guides his editorial process; why “diverse” isn’t the right word when we talk about diverse children’s books; why he’s promoting food literacy from the ground up; and more.

To learn more about Philip and Readers to Eaters, visit readerstoeaters.com.

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