Illo Chat: Illustration Podcast

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 You can also find Olga's book here : ⁠https://www.olgaherrera.me/book⁠ ILLO CHAT I...

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 Vicki Johnson: ⁠ vickijohnsonwrites.com Gillian Re...

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 Book Launch at Dancing Bear toy Store...

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.  Thanks for listening. Cover art by Olga Herrera Lenny Wen: lennywen.com ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP): facebook.com/groups/42...

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 Pat Tanumihardja: ediblewords.com Shiho Pate:...

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: Michelle Shusterman  Online courses: SVS Learn ,...

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. Thanks for listening. Cover art by Olga Herrera Jonathan Roth: beepandbob.com/books/rover-and-speck/ Paulina Suarez: paulinasuarez.com/ ILLO CH...

In episode 22 Olga and Sunny break down all the parts and pieces of a picture book.  From trim size and bleed to end papers and gutters they cover it all. Thanks for listening.  Cover art by Olga Herrera Books we discuss: New in Town by Kevin Cornell Lannie Rea’s Marvelous Hair by Yesenia Rodriguez, illustrated by Sunny Duran Oak Leaf by John Sanford The Crystal Beads by Pat Black-G...

In episode 21 Olga and Sunny take a deep dive into picture book dummies. They talk about what a dummy is, when you need one and how to plan it out with a storyboard. They also show examples of their own storyboards and examples of their past dummies. Thanks for listening. ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP): https://www.facebook.com/groups/423218296121427 OUR WEBSITE: h...

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. ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/423218296121427 OUR WEBSITE : https://www.illochat.com/ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/QKQCEh...

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: Faith Pray and her wonderful sketchbook look book https://www.instagram.c...

In episode 18 Olga and Sunny announce their new facebook group for Illo Chat listeners the Illo Chat Illustration Community.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/423218296121427   They talk about how to manage and set up a critique group and how listeners will be able to find critique partners, network and participate in live critiques in their new facebook group.  Thanks for listening...

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. OUR WEBSITE : https://www.illochat.com/ Watch the...

In episode 16 Olga and Sunny discuss children's book categories. What are the specs for each, the target audience and they show a few examples of their favorites. To see the books discussed in this episode you can watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/38gKjmI1Mow Thanks for listening.   Books we discuss  BOARD BOOKS:   The Mitten by Jan Brett Guess How Much I Love you by...

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:  Neil Gaiman University of the Arts commencement speech clip (Make Good Art): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OwRUyZMKwI   Waterproof notepad: http...

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: Women in Publishing Summit: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/ SCBWI Regional Conference: https://mddewv.scbwi.org/events/2022-mddewv-regional-conference-all-together-now/ OUR WEBSITE : https://www.illochat.com/...

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: Women in Publishing Summit: https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/ Elisabeth Craster: https://www.elisabethcraster.com/ La Cometa: https: //spain.scbwi.org/la-...

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. SCBWI Creative Coaching/ Mentorship program: https://mddewv.scbwi.org/events/creative-coaching-groups-a-6-month-mentorship-program-3/ OUR WEBSITE: https://www.ill...

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. OUR WEBSITE: https://www.illochat.com/ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/29FHkGoIibE ▼YOUR HOSTS ▼ Sun...

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. OUR WEBSITE: https://www.illochat.com/ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/z9GjN3_YsqM ▼YOUR HOSTS...

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: Query Tracker Twitter pitch party calendar 2021 Publishers Weekly Sub it Club...

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. OUR WEBSITE: https://www.illochat.com/ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/piTx44xeLpw ▼YOUR HOSTS ▼ Sunny Duran   https://www.sunnyduran.com/ Olga Herrera https://www.olgachildrensillustrator.com/

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. Links we discuss in the podcast: SCBWI: https://www.scbwi.org/ OUR WEBSITE: https://www.illochat.com/  ...

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 relea...

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. Lin...