The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Jason Chatfield Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jason Chatfield, Cartoonist, Comedian, and President of the National Cartoonists’ Society, about what illustrators can learn from Jason’s multi-hat-wearing ways; how comedians and cartoonists are cut from the same cloth; how illustrators are not alone in the fight against art theft from AI-image generators; and more.

To learn more about Jason, visit jasonchatfield.com.

You can follow Jason’s Substack at newyorkcartoons.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Ed Sorel, Rube Goldberg, Michael de Adder, Rob Rogers, Barry Blitt, Thomas Nast, Herb Block, Etta Hulme, Tom Floyd, Pat Oliphant, Jeff MacNelly, Tom Richmond, Jack Davis, and Sarah Andersen

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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Frances Soo Ping Chow Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Frances Soo Ping Chow, VP & Creative Director for Running Press and Black Dog & Leventhal, about her role and her time at Running Press; what words illustrators should never use when submitting portfolios to art directors; why illustrators should focus less on style, and more on quality; and more.

To learn more about Running Press, visit runningpress.com. You can email Frances your illustration portfolio by clicking here.

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Kerry Martin Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kerry Martin, Creative Director of Holiday House, Peachtree, and Pixel+Ink.

Kerry answers questions from Patrons of the podcast on submitting picture book dummies; what good habits she thinks illustrators should have; what catches her attention when she looks at portfolios; and more.

They also discuss what might be the worst piece of advice for illustrators.

You can follow Kerry on LinkedIn. You can also email her examples of your illustrations, and a link to your portfolio.

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Scott Nash Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, illustrator, creative director, and executive director of Illustration Institute, Scott Nash about welcoming discomfort and change into one’s creative practice; who’s to blame for the general public’s ignorance of illustration; why you should know who Dahlov Ipcar, Barbara Cooney, and other great illustrators are from the great state of Maine; and more.

To learn more about Scott, visit scottnashillustration.com.

To learn more about Illustration Institute, visit illustrationinstitute.org.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Edward Gorey, Katie Yamasaki, Chris Van Dusen, Thomas Nast, Haddon Sundblom, Pearl Mann, Jerry Pinkney, Emily Flake, Joe Ciardiello, Barbara McClintock, Ashley Bryan, Barbara Cooney, Andrew Wyeth, Garth Williams, Dahlov Ipcar, Maurice Jake Day, and Alan Cober

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Cathy Olmedillas Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Cathy Olmedillas, founder of Anorak and Dot Magazines, about the early days of her career as a children’s magazine publisher; why respecting readers and paying illustrators seem to be novel business models in the children’s magazine world; why you should start an illustration career, or a podcast, or a magazine, with joy; and more.

To learn more about Cathy and her happy work, visit studioanorak.co.uk.

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Steven Heller Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, former New York Times art director of the Op-Ed page and Book Review, and co-chair of the SVA MFA Designer as Entrepreneur program, Steven Heller.

Steven talks about the early years of his career at the New York Times, and why the word “legacy” is on his mind; what he was looking for in an illustrator’s portfolio—beyond their ability to draw and paint; why he wrote more than seventy obituaries for illustrators, and why he stopped; and more.

This was recorded in Steven and Louise Fili’s Manhattan home (with a surprise appearance by Louise).

To learn more about Steven, visit hellerbooks.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Roz Chast, Seymour Chwast, Milton Glaser, Marshall Arisman, Harvey Kurtzman, Tom Wolfe, Ed Koren, Peter Sís, Brad Holland, Henrik Drescher, Sue Coe, Frances Jetter, Barbara Nessim, Bascove, Steven Guarnaccia, Jules Feiffer, Ronald Searle, Bernie Fuchs, James Flora, Alan Cober, Leo Lionni, Tibor Kalman, Edward Gorey, Saul Steinberg, Maurice Sendak, Philip Guston, Guy Billout, and Christoph Niemann

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Max Ulichney Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, character designer, and “brushmancer”, Max Ulichney about the importance of studying from your favorite artists’ favorite artists; why not having a stylistic home-base may not be a bad thing; how he designs (and how you should use) his MaxPacks brushes; and more.

To learn more about Max, visit maxulichney.com.

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C.F. Payne Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and educator, C.F. Payne about the early years of his illustration career, and how a frustrating portfolio review became a turning point; why he defines illustration as “art done under the circumstances”; why “get good” is the best piece of advice illustrators will ever hear; and more.

To learn more about C.F., visit cfpayne.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Bart Forbes, Norman Rockwell, Charles Schulz, Steve Pietzsch, Sean Earley, Christina Wald, Stewart McKissick, Chris Morris, Alice Carter, Mark Summers, Frank Frazetta, Jack Unruh, Jon Foster, Tara McPherson, Mark English, Gary Kelley, Jon Whitcomb, and Bob Peak

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Bryan Collier Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Bryan Collier about how he dealt with years of rejection and coded racism from publishers; why he thinks there is “no landing place for an illustrator”; what it means to be a “dream walker”; and more.

To learn more about Bryan, visit bryancollier.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Ezra Jack Keats, Crockett Johnson, Ernie Barnes, Tom Feelings, and Jerry Pinkney

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Aram Kim Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Aram Kim, Art Director at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, about how she manages her creative duality as both art director and illustrator/author; what it feels like when a book you art direct (not illustrate) wins a Caldecott; why illustrators don’t need to know what she looks for in portfolios; and more.

To learn more about Aram, visit aramkim.com.

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