The Illustration Department Podcast

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Asia Orlando Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to visual artist and illustrator, Asia Orlando, about why she turned away from interior design and architecture to become an illustrator; how one can leverage their past experiences, good and bad, to help define their present; why persistence really is the key to an illustration practice; and more.

To learn more about Asia, visit asiaorlando.com.

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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Brett Bean Jan 14, 2025

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to comic book artist, character designer, and author, Brett Bean, about why Brett wishes he had his own book on drawing when he was starting out; why adjectives and verbs come before nouns with character design; what it means to keep your goals and dreams in your own hands; and more.

To learn more about Brett, visit brettbean.com.

Brett’s book, Draw!, can be found here.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Brian Ajhar, Nathan Fowkes, Sara Frazetta, Pascal Campion, Walt Stanchfield, Andrew Loomis, and George Bridgman

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Dan Chudzinski Jan 07, 2025

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to Dan Chudzinski, Director of Curation and Exhibitions at The Mazza Museum, about what being a curator literally and occupationally means; why artists should make art, not excuses; what the masters’ fingerprints and clothing can teach us; and more.

To learn more about Dan and the Mazza Museum, visit mazzamuseum.org.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, Adrienne Adams, Dan Andreasen, Joan Anglund, Mitsumasa Anno, Edward Ardizzone, Mary Azarian, C.F. Payne, Bernie Fuchs, Norman Rockwell, J.C. Leyendecker, Pontormo, H.A. and Margret Rey, Susan Einzig, Peggy Fortnum, N.C. Wyeth, Steven Gammel, William Wondriska, and Bertha Boye

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Chris Haughton Dec 31, 2024

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and author, Chris Haughton, about the unfortunate difference between information and fact; what oral culture’s four R’s are, and why they matter for children‘s book creators; what advice Aristotle has for illustrators, and more.

To learn more about Chris and his book, The History of Information, visit chrishaughton.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jim Field, Benji Davies, and Richard Outcault

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Paul O. Zelinsky Dec 24, 2024

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator, Paul O. Zelinsky, about what his former Yale professor, Maurice Sendak, thought about social media; why he’s aways wondering at point he can get away with not being good enough; where illustrators can find validation (hint: it’s not in an award); and more.

To learn more about Paul, visit paulozelinsky.com.

The book trailer for Z is for Moose, in which Sendak and other illustrators voice characters, can be seen here.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Maurice Sendak, Sophie Blackall, Brian Floca, Brian Zelsnick, Ben Shahn, David Stone Martin, Louis Darling, Betsy Lewin, Lois Lowry, Javaka Steptoe and John Steptoe

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Christopher Denise Dec 17, 2024

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning, New York Times best-selling illustrator and author, Christopher Denise, about why “show, don’t tell” is advice children’s book creators should avoid; how an anthropomorphized animal can look more like a mascot, and why that’s bad; how no illustrator working today knows, entirely, what they’re doing; and more.

To learn more about Christopher, visit christopherdenise.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: N.C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, David Macaulay, Uri Shulevitz, Louis Darling, E.H. Shepard, Inga Moore, Fred Marcellino, Alice Bolem Preston, and Charles Santore

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Lisa Maltby Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and designer, Lisa Maltby, about why freelance creatives should know the difference between constant and consistent; how illustrators, designers, and other creatives, can negotiate fees with clients; why the only artist, the only person, you should be comparing yourself to is yourself; and more.

To learn more about Lisa, visit lisamaltby.com.

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Frank Cammuso Dec 03, 2024

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, cartoonist, and educator, Frank Cammuso, about Frank’s approach to pacing with panels, and why it’s one of the most beautiful things about comics; how Steve Ditko does not get the credit he rightfully deserves; what you can learn from a good tomato sauce recipe about making comics; and more.

To learn more about Frank, visit cammuso.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: James Ransome, Marty Blake, Hergé, Neal Adams, John Buscema, John Byrne, Frank Miller, Will Eisner, Walt Kelly, Jack Cole, Charles Schulz, George Herriman, Bill Watterson, Elzie Segar, Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, Herb Trimpe, and Darwyn Cooke

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Jules Feiffer Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, Jules Feiffer, about the early years of his life and career; how Maurice Sendak and William Steig changed his approach to illustration; why failure is not to be feared; and more.

Find Feiffer’s latest book, Amazing Grapes, at you favorite bookstore or library.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Theodor Seuss Geisel, P.D. Eastman, John Held Jr., Charles Addams, William Steig, Saul Steinberg, Milt Gross, Milton Caniff, Noel Sickles, George Cruikshank, Randolph Caldecott, Walter Crane, Aubrey Beardsley, Richard Doyle, and Edward Ardizzone

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Peter Brown Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to #1 New York Times best-selling illustrator and author, Peter Brown, about what it’s like getting “The Caldecott Call”; how an illustrator can struggle with knowing if their illustration is good and done; why Roz from The Wild Robot is more than a wild robot; and more.

To learn more about Peter, visit peterbrownstudio.com.

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