Illoguild Recommends

(Illoguild question #37: What are your top recommendations?)

Hey there,

Every illustrator has their go-to tools, sources of inspiration, and creative rituals—the things that make the work feel a little more joyful (or a little more doable). This month, we’re sharing our top recommendations: the podcasts we listen to while we draw, the books that keep us inspired, the art supplies we can’t live without, courses we are taking and the habits that help us stay on track.

Here are some of our recommendations:

• Set up a critique group to help supercharge your growth. Find out how the illoguild did it here.

• Sign up for an illustration course. Why not a Make Art that Sells course. The illoguild actually formed after taking a MATS course together. Find out more here.

• Join Summer Project Club with

  Katie Stack
  Find out more here.

• Read

  Adam Ming
  ’s newsletter Ten Minute Artist - check out Five Ways to Supercharge your Illustration Skills

• Damjana Loddelina
  recommends following your instincts — sometimes the best stories come from breaking the usual rules.

• Carla Hoffenberg
  recommends breaking the rules sometimes too — like teaming up with an author and submitting a joint pitch.

• And the Illoguild has it’s best tips and tricks! to practically improve your illustrations.

Please let us know your top recommendations in the comments section. We love finding out about more gold.

Illustrator Spotlight

This month, we’re shining a light Chantelle Holt. She is a UK-based children’s book illustrator known for her humorous, expressive style and vibrant traditional artwork, often using watercolor and pencil. She works with clients worldwide.

ILLOGUILD Talks: Recommendations

Join us on 22 July for a live Zoom session where we’ll dive into our top recommendations, specifically tailored for artists and children’s book illustrators. What are we listening to, drawing with or reading and more… join us to find out.

You’re invited to the LIVE ZOOM (It’s free) - Replays available for Paid Subscribers.

Our top recommendations:

Katie Stack

shares her top recommendations from courses to workshops.

Classes + Workshops to Inspire You This Summer ☀️

Damjana Loddelina

recommends ways to keep illustrating over the Summer.

On a break

Adam Ming

breaks his recommendations into these 5 categories: Understanding 2 Drawing Modes; Use simple building blocks; Draw dynamic poses easily; The proper use of Texture and Build an idea library.

5-Ways to supercharge your illustration skills.

Carla Hoffenberg

recommends breaking the rules sometimes — like teaming up with an author and submitting a joint pitch. The worst that can happen is a no, but the upside is a publisher sees your work, and at best, they say yes and you get to bring a story to life with someone you already love working with. Find out how her latest book Harries: The Lifeguard from Bondi Beach got published.

Harries: The Lifeguard from Bondi Beach

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Illustrator Spotlight on

Chantelle Holt

Chantelle surrounded by her illustrations

Chantelle Holt is a UK-based children’s book illustrator known for her humorous, melodramatic, and colorful artwork. Working from her home studio, she creates illustrations and short animations for clients worldwide, including Warner Music and hip-hop artist Jay Sean. Chantelle’s preferred mediums are traditional, such as watercolor and pencil, though she also offers digital edits. Her work is characterized by fun characters and a strong line quality. She is represented by Lucy at The Plum Agency for children’s book projects. Additionally, Chantelle shares behind-the-scenes insights and time-saving illustration tips on her Substack newsletter, “Chantelle’s Studio.”

You can explore more of Chantelle’s work on her website or follow her on Instagram.

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Announcements

• Our next live session ILLOGUILD Talks: Recommendations is on 22 July. Join us for a live Zoom session where we’ll dive into our top recommendations.

• Join

  Katie Stack
  ’s Summer Project Club

  —a space for illustrators and creatives who want to make steady progress on their projects over a 3 month period!

Thanks for reading the illoguild newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our journey.

And consider a paid subscription to get access to all of our recorded Live conversations.

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And we are really happy that you have supported us along the way!!! We hope it has been useful and inspiring for you. If you would like to help others be inspired- why not share this post.

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Links to Illoguild Member Newsletters and Socials

• Adam Ming: ‘Ten Minute Artist’ and Adam’s Instagram

• Brenda Harris: ‘On The Creative Road’ and Brenda’s Instagram

• Carla Hoffenberg: ‘Carla’s Crowd’ and Carla’s Instagram

• Chantelle Holt: ‘Chantelle’s Studio’ and Chantelle’s Instagram

• Damjana Loddelina: ‘Lemon Tart Bandit’ and Damjana’s Instagram

• Jen Gubicza: ‘Rymes with Pizza’ and Jen’s Instagram

• Jennifer Jamieson: ‘Jennifer’s Newsletter’ and Jen’s Instagram

• Katie Stack: ‘Katie’s Newsletter’ and Katie’s Instagram

• Noreen Anne: ‘Creative Canvas by Noreen Anne’ and Noreen’s Instagram

• Rose Lihou: ‘Studio Tea with Rose Lihou’ and Rose’s Instagram

• Tammy Angelis: ‘Tabbykat Chats’ and Tammy’s Instagram