The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Whitney Sherman Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Whitney Sherman, illustrator, designer, and founding director of the MFA in Illustration Practice program at the Maryland Institute College of Art, about how she began her distinguished career as an educator; what it takes to survive a creative practice; why artists, of any discipline, should not be afraid of failure; and more.

To learn more about Whitney, visit whitneysherman.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jaleen Grove, Emily Flake, and William Morris

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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Beth Spencer Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, writer, and creator of Introvert Drawing Club on Substack, Beth Spencer, about what she’s learned from Introvert Drawing Club; why we should always use human intelligence when creating art; how illustrators don’t need much to do what they want; and more.

To learn more about Beth, visit bethspencerillustration.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Richard Scarry, Emma Carlisle, and Shel Silverstein

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Paul Buckley Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to renowned designer and art director, Paul Buckley, about what it takes to be a good art director; why illustrators and designers should aim for distinction; how depression and creativity correlate; and more.

To learn more about Paul, visit paulbuckleydesign.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jim Tierney and Sara Wood

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Matthew Forsythe Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, illustrator, and character designer, Matthew Forsythe, about the many forms a picture book can take—from morality books to “fantastic binomials”; how to make sense of color; how to like your creative work; and more.

To learn more about Matthew, visit comingupforair.net.

As was discussed in this episode, here is an article about Gianni Rodari’s concept of the “fantastic binomial”.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Mary Blair, Randolph Caldecott, Beatrix Potter, Wanda Gág, William Steig, Paul Klee, Lauren Tamaki, Jasmine Li, Jesse Jacobs, Richard Scarry, Don Freeman, John Steptoe, Rebecca Sugar, Adam Muto, Yuasa Masaaki, Emily Warren, and Jim Davis

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Maria Middleton Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Maria Middleton, Senior Art Director at Candlewick Press, about the role of an art director within the collaborative inner-workings of children’s publishing; what she looks for in illustrators; why illustrators should make work that makes them happy; and more.

To learn more about Maria, visit mariamiddleton.com.

To send Maria your illustration portfolio, email her at Maria.Middleton@candlewick.com.

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The Substack Episode Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning cartoonist, author, and comedian, Jason Chatfield, and award-winning illustrator and creator of Ten Minute Artist, Adam Ming, about what they like and don’t like about Substack, how it can benefit illustrators creatively and financially; and more.

To learn more about Jason and Adam, visit jasonchatfield.com and adamming.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Austin Kleon, Wendy MacNaughton, and Asher Perlman

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Toshiki Nakamura Jul 08, 2025

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to children’s book illustrator and character designer, Toshiki Nakamura, about the all-important three months before and after a picture book’s publication; what his approach is to character design for clients like DreamWorks and Netflix; what your past, creatively or otherwise, has to do with your future; and more.

To learn more about Toshi, visit artoftoshi.com.

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Ali Fitzgerald Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to comics creator, writer, and educator, Ali Fitzgerald, about where art and art education intersect with social justice; what we can learn from the life and work of Käthe Kollwitz; how art can—especially in trying times—offer connection and solace; and more.

To learn more about Ali, visit alifitzgerald.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Bill Watterson, Gary Larson, Emil Ferris, and Käthe Kollwitz

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Grant Snider Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to cartoonist and author, Grant Snider, about how he aligns his creative life; what similarities there are between illustration and Grant’s work in orthodontics; why artists should zigzag every now and then; and more.

To learn more about Grant, visit grantsnider.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Shaun Tan, John Hendrix, Bill Watterson, and Mike Lowery

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Terry Brown Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Terry Brown, former director of The Society of Illustrators, about his time at the Society; what’s behind the Society’s disparity between men and women award-winners; how life is made up of many different but connected chapters; and more.

Learn more about The Society of Illustrators by visiting societyillustrators.org.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Bob Peak, Norman Rockwell, Charles Dana Gibson, Steve Brodner, Anita Kunz, Yuko Shimizu, Bernie Fuchs, Al Hirschfeld, Robert Weaver, Murray Tinkelman, Joe Ciardiello, Mark English, Roger Kastel, Diane Dillon, Violet Oakley, Jessie Willcox Smith, Elizabeth Shippen Green, Florence Scovel Shinn, May Wilson Preston, E. Simms Campbell, Reynold Ruffins, and Rube Goldberg

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