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/QKQCEhcVxpE ▼YOUR HOSTS ▼ Sunny Duran  https://www.sunnyduran.com/ Olga Herrera...

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.com/reel/CfHiKmsrVk5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE...

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. ILLO CHAT ILLUSTRATION COMMUNITY (JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP):...

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 video: https://youtu.be/5uRvSHNgBsU ▼YOUR HOSTS ▼ Sunny Duran...

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 Sam McBratney illustrated by Anita Jeram  The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister  Bath! Bath! Bath! by Douglas...

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: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LID8V54/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_api_i_CXTRFCB5EBQG769GGXRX OUR WEBSITE:...

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/ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/4UunlCuh6SE ▼YOUR HOSTS ▼ Sunny Duran...

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-cometa/ SCBWI Regional Conference:...

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.illochat.com/ Watch the video: https://youtu.be/4UunlCuh6SE ▼YOUR HOSTS ▼ Sunny Duran...

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 ▼ Sunny Duran  https://www.sunnyduran.com/ Olga Herrera https://www.olgachildrensillustrator.com/

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 ▼ Sunny Duran  https://www.sunnyduran.com/ Olga Herrera...

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 Manuscript Wish List OUR WEBSITE: https://www.illochat.com/ Watch the video:...

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. They talk about what to do after you join SCBWI. How to go from traditional to digital illustration. How they balance their time between family and art. Thanks for listening. Links we discuss in the podcast: SCBWI: https://www.scbwi.org/ WEBSITE: https://www.illochat.com/ VIDEO: https://youtu.be/1BfIiW0CzDc ▼YOUR HOSTS ▼ Sunny Duran  https://www.sunnyduran.com/ Olga Herrera...

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 and agents. 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: ILLUSTRATOR DIRECTORIES: Behance: https://www.behance.net/ Children's Illustrators:...

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: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/ Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/...

In this episode Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about what elements make a good children's book illustration. What is a focal point? How do you use line to tell a story? What makes a good composition? What is value, color harmony and saturation?  How do you use these elements to tell your story with your art. Thanks for listening! WEBSITE: https://www.illochat.com/ VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgdCA-_dgO4&t=1825s ▼YOUR HOSTS ▼ Sunny Duran  https://www.sunnyduran.com/ Olga...

In this episode Olga Herrera and Sunny Duran talk about portfolios and websites for children's book illustration. Why should illustrators have a physical portfolio and a website? What should you include in your portfolio and what mistakes to avoid. Thanks for listening! WEBSITE: https://www.illochat.com/ VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgdCA-_dgO4&t=1825s ▼YOUR HOSTS ▼ Sunny Duran  https://www.sunnyduran.com/ Olga Herrera https://www.olgachildrensillustrator.com/

In this episode we talk 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. 

In this episode we talk about why you as an illustrator shouldn't always say yes to every creative favor and how to say no and stay on track. Thanks for listening. 

In this episode we're talking 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.

In this episode we 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. Links we discussed: SCBWI - https://www.scbwi.org/ SVS Learn - https://www.svslearn.com/

In this episode we share our stories on how we got started as children's book illustrators. How we met and what we plan to do with this podcast. Thanks for listening. 

If you want to be a children's book illustrator or just want to hear two friends talk about how to be an illustrator. Subscribe so you can hear our first episode.