Illo Chat: Illustration Podcast

In this episode, Olga and Sunny talk about how thinking like a designer can save you time and edits when creating art for children's books.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Podcast and video production by Sunny Duran

ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/423218296121427

In this episode, Olga and Sunny talk about the roles and responsibilities of being an author and an illustrator or wearing the hats of both. And how to decide which fits best.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Podcast and video production by Sunny Duran

ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/423218296121427

In this episode, Olga and Sunny talk about the steps one can take when switching agents. The use of publisher’s marketplace, and query tracker to research agents and help make informed decisions.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Podcast and video production by Sunny Duran

ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/423218296121427

In this episode, Olga and Sunny recap what happened this year, where they are now, and their plans for the future. They also discuss how it's easier to stay focused when you're busy but easy to lose your way when you have too much time on your hands.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Podcast and video production by Sunny Duran

ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/423218296121427

In this episode, we chat with author, illustrator Jed Alexander about his wordless picture books. We talked about his process for writing wordless picture books and his illustration technique.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Podcast and video production by Sunny Duran

In this episode, we chat with author, illustrator John Sandford about his new picture book BrindleFox. We talk about his inspiration and illustration technique for this book as well as his time as an art director.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Podcast and video production by Sunny Duran

In this episode we chat with author and illustrator Julia Mills about her debut picture book I am Stuck. We talk about her writing journey, her inspiration as an art teacher, and her process for illustrating this book.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Podcast and video production by Sunny Duran

In this episode, Sunny talks about her year of letting go and her decision to go back to a full-time job outside the home. Giving her the freedom to pursue art as her passion instead of her career.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Podcast and video production by Sunny Duran

ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/423218296121427

In this episode, we chat with Holly Hatam the illustrator of A Good Deed Can Grow written by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. We talk about Holly's journey to becoming a children's book illustrator and her process for illustrating this book.

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Cover art by Olga Herrera

In this episode Sunny talks about leaving her agent and what she would look for in the future when considering an agent. She discusses how it's okay to evaluate where you are and make changes to help you move forward.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Podcast and video production by Sunny Duran

In this episode, we chat with Vicki Johnson the author of Molly's Tuxedo, and Gillian Reid the illustrator that worked on this wonderful book. We talk about Vicki's author journey and inspiration for this picture book. We also talk to Gillian about her Illustrator journey and her art process.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

In this episode Olga talks about everything she is doing for marketing as an author, illustrator. How she is preparing for her upcoming book launch at the Dancing Bear Toy Store (hosted by the Curious Iguana) on April 22nd at 2pm EST. If you're in the Frederick, MD area stop by for this fun family friendly event.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

In this episode we chat with author, illustrator Lenny Wen about her debut picture book Spicy Spicy Hot. We talk about her journey into illustration, how she got an agent. We also learn how she came up with the idea for this adorable book. 

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Cover art by Olga Herrera

In this episode we chat with Pat Tanumihardja the author of Ramen for Everyone and Shiho Pate the illustrator that worked on this adorable book. We talk about Pat's author journey from cookbooks to picturebooks and her love of Ramen. We also discuss Shiho's Illustrator journey and her varying art styles.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

In this episode Olga and Sunny answer listener questions about; voice in writing, ghostwriters, how to find publishers open for submissions, is traditional obsolete, can you improve in art without going to school, and ways to learn what magazines are looking for.

Thanks for listening.

Cover art by Olga Herrera

Writing, ghostwriting references:

In this episode we chat with Jonathan Roth, author and illustrator of the graphic novel Rover and Speck, this Planet Rocks and his colorist Paulina Suarez. We talk about his inspiration and process for the book and what it was like working with a colorist.

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Cover art by Olga Herrera

In episode 20 Olga and Sunny discuss the worst and best advice that they've been given as author/illustrators. How they have dealt with bad advice and how they have put good advice to use. Thanks for listening.

In episode 19 Olga and Sunny discuss illustration style. How it's a journey and not a destination. They talk about how their styles have evolved over time and how to identify if it's your style or if it's a mistake you keep repeating. Make sure you stick around until the end where they talk about sketchbooks. 

Mentions:

In episode 17 Olga and Sunny talk about about some frequently asked questions. They discuss their response when people ask them to recommend an illustrator for their book or project. What to do if your an author illustrator and only your manuscript gets accepted and why you don't have to participate in illustration challenges. Thanks for listening.

In episode 15 Olga and Sunny talk about about when your muse goes on vacation. Cuando la Musa se te va de vacaciones. How to recognize if you have art block and possible things you can do to work through it. Thanks for listening.

LINKS: 

In episode 14 Olga and Sunny talk about what to do when things don't go as planned. How you can pick up the pieces, pivot and make the best of things.  Thanks for listening.

LINKS:

In episode 13 Olga and Sunny talk about they're plans for the new year. They also discuss how to plan for a conference. Please excuse the quality of the audio in this episode. Olga had some technical difficulties. Thanks for listening.

LINKS:

In episode 12 Olga and Sunny talk about if you are hesitant to call yourself an artist you are not alone. Join us on this raw and real talk about how we finally arrived at the point when we could say I am an Artist. Thanks for listening.

In episode 11 part 2 Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about how to work with self publishing authors when they ask you to illustrate their book. In this episode they discuss contracts with self publishing authors. Why you need one and what you should cover in your contract. Thanks for listening.

In episode 11 part 1 Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about how to work with self publishing authors when they ask you to illustrate their book. They discuss the information you should get and the information you should give to the author before agreeing to illustrate their book. Thanks for listening.

In episode 10 part 2 Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about red flags to look for, how to submit to agents and how to query a literary agent. They also discuss Twitter pitches, how to look for agents and what questions to ask when you get "the call" from an agent. Thanks for listening.

Links we discuss in this episode:

In episode 10 part 1 Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about the different types of agents. What an agent does for children's book authors and illustrators and why you need one. Thanks for listening.

In episode 9 Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran answer some frequently asked questions about life as an illustrator. They cover what to do after you join SCBWI. How to go from traditional to digital illustration. How they balance their time between family and an art career. Thanks for listening.

In Part 2 Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about ways to find work as a children's book illustrator. They cover how to promote yourself online. How to navigate freelance job websites as an illustrator. They also talk a little bit about the different types of agents and how to find submit to one. There was a lot to cover and the episode ran long so we broke this up into two parts. Part 1 was released previously where we discussed multiple income streams. Thanks for listening.

Links we discuss in the podcast: 

In Part 1 Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about ways to generate income as a children's book illustrator. They cover multiple income streams and how to promote yourself online. There was a lot to cover and the episode ran long so we broke this up into two parts. Part 2 will release later and continue our discussion about where to promote yourself and where to find work. Thanks for listening.

Links we discuss in the podcast: 

Have you had a portfolio critique? In this episode Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk all about critiques. Why should illustrators get portfolio critiques, how to choose who critiques your artwork. How to listen to a critique and how to give one using the sandwich method. Thanks for listening. 

Do friends and family ask you for art favors? Do you say yes to things that may not further your illustration career? In this episode Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about why illustrators should not always say yes to every creative favor and how to say no and stay on track. Thanks for listening. 

Should you wait until you're ready to start? In this episode Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about how to start on your children's book illustration journey. Don't wait to start illustrating because if you wait you'll never be ready. Just start where you're at. Thanks for listening.

Are you working in a bubble? In this episode Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about how illustrators can tell if they are working in a bubble. How to get out of it and how to find their creative community.  Thanks for listening.

In this episode Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran share their stories on how they got started as children's book illustrators. They'll discuss how they met and what they plan to do with this podcast. Thanks for listening.