The Illustration Department Podcast

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Antonia Weaver Atkins, educator and daughter of the great Robert Weaver, about what it was like growing up with her outside-of-the-box father; what “The Weave” didn’t like about being a commercial artist; what advice she thinks her father would share for illustrators today; and more. Learn more about Robert Weaver at library.wustl.edu . If you find value in this podcas...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kate Kunac-Tabinor, Creative Director at Oxford University Press, about what part illustrators play in OUP’s diverse body of work; why creatives should avoid working in isolation; what simple career advice illustrators should follow; and more. Kate can be found on LinkedIn . If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack , or a suppo...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kathryn Humphries, Art Director at Harper’s Magazine, about how she finds, keeps track of, and works with illustrators; why AI images are not gracing the pages of Harper’s; what it means to use “unexpected” color palettes; and more. Kathryn can be found on Instagram . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Shepard Fairey and Stephen Kroninger If you find value in t...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Katie Kalupson, Associate Art Director at TIME, about how transitioning from designer to art director requires personal growth; how intention separates AI-generated imagery from actual illustration; why the best thing an illustrator can do is to lean into themselves; and more. To learn more about Katie, visit katiekalupson.com . Artists mentioned in this episode includ...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Michael Mrak, Creative Director for Scientific American, about how often (and where) he looks for illustrators; why he chooses not to not use AI for SciAm’s illustration needs; why the need for good, smart, human-made illustration isn’t going away anytime soon; and more. Michael can be found on LinkedIn . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jerome Snyder , Boris...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Chris Van Dusen, about the pros and cons of using gouache—and why spittle is a problem; why calling an illustrator’s work “old-fashioned” is not a productive critique; how children’s book writers can spend their time if they want to rhyme; and more. To learn more about Chris, visit chrisvandusen.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: D...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Erika Gaffney, Acquisitions Editor in Scholarly Publishing and Founder of Art Herstory, about why everyone should brush up on their art herstory; why the “merit over gender” argument does not apply; why art, or the study of its entire history, doesn’t have to be intimidating; and more. To learn more about Erika and Art Herstory, visit artherstory.net . Artists mentione...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to artist and storyteller, Hope Christofferson, about why a lot of what you see on social media is fantasy (and not in a good way); why illustrators should be wary of the siren call of creative influences; why, if you’re going to believe in magic and lore, you should first believe in yourself; and more. To learn more about Hope, visit hopechristoffersonart.com . Artists m...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emily Kleinman, Art Director at Mudpuppy, about her role in the creation of Mudpuppy’s toys, puzzles, books, and other products; where she goes first to look for illustrators (listeners of this podcast won’t be surprised by her answer); how art directors are just like us; and more. Emily can be found on LinkedIn and Instagram . Artists mentioned in this episode include...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Hana Nakamura, Art Director for Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton, about how she finds and keeps track of illustrators; how she art directs a children’s book; why a big key to being an illustrator is… to illustrate; and more. Hana can be found on Instagram . If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack , or a supporte...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Timothy Travaglini, Senior Literary Agent at Transatlantic Agency, about how illustrators and writers aren’t the only ones who experience rejection in publishing; why being open to the editorial process is almost always a good thing; why it’s important to find joy in creating art; and more. To learn more about Tim and Transatlantic, visit transatlanticagency.com . If y...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Toby Fox, Deputy Art Director at Rolling Stone, about what A.I. imagery really is (it’s not art); how stylistically open the field of editorial illustration is—for the print or digital space; how creative inspiration can come from anywhere; and more. To learn more about Toby, visit tobyfoxdesign.com . Her Instagram is instagram.com/twodogfox . Artists mentioned in this...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Semadar Megged, former Art Director at Penguin Random House, about her approach to art direction; what makes good illustrators good; why it’s important to not just look at art, but to be curious about it; and more. To learn more about Semadar, visit semadarmegged.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Loren Long , Maurice Sendak , Renata Liwska , David Elliot...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jill Pratzon, founder of Pratzon Art Restoration, Illustrator, and Graphic Novelist, about what it takes to restore and conserve the art of Winsor McCay, George Herriman, and other giants of illustration; what she learns about artists’ lives through examining their art; what the key to being an illustrator is, beyond talent and skill; and more. To learn more about Jill...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author and conceptual illustrator, Daniel Liévano, about the job of an editorial illustrator; how he connects philosophy and illustration; how illustrators are “traitors”; and more. To learn more about Daniel, visit lifeisanillusion.com . If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack , or a supporter on Patreon . On either platform,...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Naomi Kirsten, Senior Editor at Chronicle Books, about what it means to create children’s books with heart and a “felt sense”; what role “the market” and “trends” play in her acquisition process; why the term “kid-friendly” has no place in kids’ books; and more. To learn more about Naomi and the books she edits, visit naomikirsten.com . Artists mentioned in this episod...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Antonia Markiet, retired Editorial Director for HarperCollins Children’s Books, about her early days as an editor at Harper & Row; what illustrators should do if they want to be great; why Maurice Sendak’s newest book, Ten Little Rabbits, was published more than a decade after his passing; and more. Find Ten Little Rabbits at your favorite library or bookstore. Art...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to the Morgan Library and Museum’s Robert H. Taylor Curator and Department Head for Literary and Historical Manuscripts, Philip Palmer, about the behind-the-scenes decisions that went into curating Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature; what he learned about Potter that he didn’t know before; how Potter doesn’t have just one legacy, but many; and more. To learn more about The M...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Skye Kelly-Barrett, Founder & Agent at Roar, about the psychology of parting ways with an illustrator; what “visual voice” is and isn’t; how illustration (and illustration work) is everywhere; and more. To learn more about Skye and Roar, visit roarartists.com . If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack , or a supporter on Pa...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to multi-disciplinary artist, performer, and renowned children’s book author, Hervé Tullet, about the beginning of his children’s book career; how a children’s book illustrator’s creativity comes from within, and not from a bookstore; why you have to act like an adult, if you want to create books for children; and more. To learn more about Hervé, visit herve-tullet.com ....

Giuseppe Castellano talks to the author and illustrator of your favorite children’s books, Bob Shea, about how a logo and Lane Smith helped him launch his children’s book career; what ADHD is and isn’t, especially for creatives (or loved ones); what illustrators should let go to enjoy being an illustrator; and more. To learn more about Bob, visit bobshea.com . Artists mentioned in this episode inc...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to cartoonist, author, and presenter, Scott McCloud, about the very real problem of poor visual communication in our society; what comics are and could be; why living in a phenomenal world isn’t as great as it sounds; and more. To learn more about Scott, visit scottmccloud.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Murray Tinkelman , Alan Moore , Will Eisner , Osamu...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, Yas Imamura, about how establishing a stationary shop led her to a children’s book career; why it is a mistake to paint all publishers with the same brush; why it’s a good idea for artists to create in different ways; and more. To learn more about Yas, visit yasimamura.tumblr.com . If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid s...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning children’s book creator and co-founder of The Good Ship Illustration, Helen Stephens, about the rules she ignored in the early days of her career; why “have fun” might be the most no-nonsense piece of advice illustrators will ever hear; why an illustrator’s work should not be called “imaginative”; and more. To learn more about Helen, visit helenstephens.c...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Nathaniel Mell, Founder and CEO of Felt+Fat, about the founding of his Philadelphia-based ceramic design studio; what “working hard” really means for artists; why demand for hand-made art and craft is as hot as ever; and more. To learn more about Nathaniel and Felt+Fat, visit feltandfat.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Joseph Beuys , Keith Shore , and A...