The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Cale Atkinson Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Cale Atkinson, about how to properly pitch book dummies; what to make of the fracturing social media landscape; how book creators can navigate a career in children’s publishing; and more.

To learn more about Cale, visit cale.ca.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Pascal Campion, Lynn Avril, Ekaterina Trukhan, Jarvis, and Brett Bean

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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Oriana Leckert Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Oriana Leckert, Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, about the steps creators should take to start their Kickstarter journey—including one crucial one; how self-publishing differs from traditional publishing; what work needs to be done to publish through Kickstarter; and more.

To learn more about Oriana, visit oriana-leckert.com.

Links mentioned in this episode include:

kickstarter.com/creators/publishing

https://updates.kickstarter.com/how-to-create-an-expert-kickstarter-budget

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Tracy Shaw Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Tracy Shaw, Art Director for Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, about how the world of picture books is more than lollipops and rainbows; what her art department’s policy is on Generative AI; she answers questions from podcast patrons about emails, styles, palettes; and more.

You can find Tracy on LinkedIn.

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Jess Lomax Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jess Lomax, co-founder and director of Inkling Illustration Agency, about what special ingredient was needed to form her agency; how there’s nothing magical about generative AI; what she looks for in illustration portfolios—beyond variety and consistency; and more.

To learn more about Jess and Inkling Illustration Agency, visit inklingillustration.com.

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Victoria Jamieson Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Newbery Honor-winning illustrator and author, Victoria Jamieson, about why quite a few publishing professionals know what a “doodly doo” is; what a graphic novel can be, and how it really is a lot of work; what perfection has to do with art; and more.

To learn more about Victoria, visit victoriajamieson.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Raina Telgemeier, Art Spiegelman, Vera Brosgol, Cece Bell, Bill Watterson, Lynn Johnston, and Bil Keane

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Noa Denmon Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator, Noa Denmon, about how an artist’s traditional or digital tools don’t make the artist; what it’s like to get “the Caldecott call”; why it’s important for creatives to spend time not creating; and more.

To learn more about Noa, visit noadenmon.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Sophie Blackall, Ashley Bryan, Rudy Gutierrez, Betsy Lewin, Pamela Zagarenski, Javaka Steptoe, Yuko Shimizu, Peter de Sève, Tom Feelings, Jackie Ormes, Ernie Barnes, Mozelle Thompson, John Steptoe, Emory Douglass, and Kadir Nelson

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Katie Kordesh Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Katie Kordesh, about what creatives still need to do after “getting” a literary agent (and signing book deals); how social media can be an effective promotional tool; why achieving a work/life balance may not be all it’s cracked up to be; and more.

To learn more about Katie, visit katiekordesh.com.

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Robin Preiss Glasser Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times bestselling illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser, about how she worked with Jane O’Connor on Fancy Nancy (and how close Nancy came to a horrible death); what “the buzz” is, and why artists should not listen to it; what art can do and be in times of hardship and pain; and more.

To learn more about Robin, visit robinpreissglasser.com.

You can listen to Giuseppe’s podcast chat with Jane O’Connor here.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Hilary Knight, Bernadette Watts, Susan Guevara, Adrienne Adams, Reginald Marsh, Jules Feiffer, E.H. Shepard, Shirley Hughes, and Gabrielle Vincent

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Brian Biggs Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, illustrator, designer, and educator, Brian Biggs, about how reinvention can play a part in one’s creative life; what it means to be a victim of your own success; whether or not creative types need to be inspired (if inspiration even exists); and more.

Learn more about Brian at brianbiggs.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Mike Lowery, Sarah Walsh, Traci Todd, Andrew Fairclough, Matt Cordell, Jon Klassen, Edward Gorey, and Brian Floca

Books mentioned in this episode include: Stephen King’s On Writing and Jeff Tweedy’s How to Write One Song

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Sarah Walsh Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to maker of books & illustrated goods, Sarah Walsh, about what separates expectation from visualization; why running your own shop as a creative is a good idea, despite its ups and downs; why artists should get out of their own head when they’re making art; and more.

To learn more about Sarah, visit sarahwalshmakesthings.com.

Sarah mentioned they-draw.com.

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