Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning, New York Times best-selling illustrator and author, Christopher Denise, about why “show, don’t tell” is advice children’s book creators should avoid; how an anthropomorphized animal can look more like a mascot, and why that’s bad; how no illustrator working today knows, entirely, what they’re doing; and more. To learn more about Christopher, visit christopherdenise.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: N.C. Wyeth , Beatrix Potter ,...
Dec 17, 2024•56 min•Ep. 288
Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and designer, Lisa Maltby, about why freelance creatives should know the difference between constant and consistent; how illustrators, designers, and other creatives, can negotiate fees with clients; why the only artist, the only person, you should be comparing yourself to is yourself; and more. To learn more about Lisa, visit lisamaltby.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Il...
Dec 10, 2024•53 min•Ep. 287
Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, cartoonist, and educator, Frank Cammuso, about Frank’s approach to pacing with panels, and why it’s one of the most beautiful things about comics; how Steve Ditko does not get the credit he rightfully deserves; what you can learn from a good tomato sauce recipe about making comics; and more. To learn more about Frank, visit cammuso.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: James Ransome , Marty Blake , Hergé , Neal Adams , John Buscema , John Byrne , F...
Dec 03, 2024•48 min•Ep. 286
Giuseppe Castellano talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, Jules Feiffer, about the early years of his life and career; how Maurice Sendak and William Steig changed his approach to illustration; why failure is not to be feared; and more. Find Feiffer’s latest book, Amazing Grapes , at you favorite bookstore or library. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Theodor Seuss Geisel , P.D. Eastman , John Held Jr. , Charles Addams , William Steig , Saul Steinberg , Milt Gross , Milton Caniff ...
Nov 26, 2024•46 min•Ep. 285
Giuseppe Castellano talks to #1 New York Times best-selling illustrator and author, Peter Brown, about what it’s like getting “The Caldecott Call”; how an illustrator can struggle with knowing if their illustration is good and done; why Roz from The Wild Robot is more than a wild robot; and more. To learn more about Peter, visit peterbrownstudio.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Substack . Among ...
Nov 19, 2024•54 min•Ep. 284
Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Cale Atkinson, about how to properly pitch book dummies; what to make of the fracturing social media landscape; how book creators can navigate a career in children’s publishing; and more. To learn more about Cale, visit cale.ca . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Pascal Campion , Lynn Avril , Ekaterina Trukhan , Jarvis , and Brett Bean If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 283
Giuseppe Castellano talks to Oriana Leckert, Head of Publishing at Kickstarter, about the steps creators should take to start their Kickstarter journey—including one crucial one; how self-publishing differs from traditional publishing; what work needs to be done to publish through Kickstarter; and more. To learn more about Oriana, visit oriana-leckert.com. Links mentioned in this episode include: kickstarter.com/creators/publishing https://updates.kickstarter.com/how-to-create-an-expert-kickstar...
Nov 05, 2024•47 min•Ep. 282
Giuseppe Castellano talks to Tracy Shaw, Art Director for Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, about how the world of picture books is more than lollipops and rainbows; what her art department’s policy is on Generative AI; she answers questions from podcast patrons about emails, styles, palettes; and more. You can find Tracy on LinkedIn . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Substack . Among other benef...
Oct 29, 2024•56 min•Ep. 281
Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jess Lomax, co-founder and director of Inkling Illustration Agency, about what special ingredient was needed to form her agency; how there’s nothing magical about generative AI; what she looks for in illustration portfolios—beyond variety and consistency; and more. To learn more about Jess and Inkling Illustration Agency, visit inklingillustration.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illu...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 280
Giuseppe Castellano talks to Newbery Honor-winning illustrator and author, Victoria Jamieson, about why quite a few publishing professionals know what a “doodly doo” is; what a graphic novel can be, and how it really is a lot of work; what perfection has to do with art; and more. To learn more about Victoria, visit victoriajamieson.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Raina Telgemeier , Art Spiegelman , Vera Brosgol , Cece Bell , Bill Watterson , Lynn Johnston , and Bil Keane If you ...
Oct 15, 2024•47 min•Ep. 279
Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator, Noa Denmon, about how an artist’s traditional or digital tools don’t make the artist; what it’s like to get “the Caldecott call”; why it’s important for creatives to spend time not creating; and more. To learn more about Noa, visit noadenmon.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Sophie Blackall , Ashley Bryan , Rudy Gutierrez , Betsy Lewin , Pamela Zagarenski , Javaka Steptoe , Yuko Shimizu , Peter de Sève , Tom Feeling...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 278
Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Katie Kordesh, about what creatives still need to do after “getting” a literary agent (and signing book deals); how social media can be an effective promotional tool; why achieving a work/life balance may not be all it’s cracked up to be; and more. To learn more about Katie, visit katiekordesh.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Substack . Among ...
Oct 01, 2024•51 min•Ep. 277
Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times bestselling illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser, about how she worked with Jane O’Connor on Fancy Nancy (and how close Nancy came to a horrible death); what “the buzz” is, and why artists should not listen to it; what art can do and be in times of hardship and pain; and more. To learn more about Robin, visit robinpreissglasser.com . You can listen to Giuseppe’s podcast chat with Jane O’Connor here. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Hilary Knight...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 276
Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, illustrator, designer, and educator, Brian Biggs, about how reinvention can play a part in one’s creative life; what it means to be a victim of your own success; whether or not creative types need to be inspired (if inspiration even exists); and more. Learn more about Brian at brianbiggs.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Mike Lowery , Sarah Walsh , Traci Todd , Andrew Fairclough , Matt Cordell , Jon Klassen , Edward Gorey , and Brian Floca Book...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 275
Giuseppe Castellano talks to maker of books & illustrated goods, Sarah Walsh, about what separates expectation from visualization; why running your own shop as a creative is a good idea, despite its ups and downs; why artists should get out of their own head when they’re making art; and more. To learn more about Sarah, visit sarahwalshmakesthings.com . Sarah mentioned they-draw.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes O...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 274
Giuseppe Castellano talks to concept artist, designer, and filmmaker, Drew Leung, about what storytelling has to do with concept art; what the key difference is between GenAI and actual concept artists; why it’s important for any artist to remember why they wanted to be an artist to begin with; and more. To learn more about Drew, visit anihaus.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Karla Ortiz , Vicki Pui , and Craig Mullins Giuseppe mentioned Angel Hernandez as being one of the worst ...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 273
Giuseppe Castellano talks to Tim Jacobus, the original illustrator for Goosebumps, about why no one working on Goosebumps thought it would last past the first few books; how the making of the Goosebumps covers is an art director’s nightmare; what it means for illustrators, and writers, to finish what they start; and more. Learn more about Tim at jacobusstudios.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jim Thiesen , Greg and Tim Hildebrandt , and Stanisław Fernandes If you find value in th...
Aug 27, 2024•56 min•Ep. 272
Giuseppe Castellano talks to artist, illustrator, and art director, Katty Huertas, about what she looks for in illustrators (hint: it’s not “being the best”); what simple portfolio advice illustrators should follow; why any creative might want to look into being a “polyteche”; and more. To learn more about Katty, visit kattyhuertas.com . Websites Katty and Giuseppe mentioned include: It’s Nice That , Creative Boom , Grain Edit , Creative Review , Illustration.lol , and Working Not Working If you...
Aug 20, 2024•40 min•Ep. 271
Giuseppe Castellano talks to multi-award-winning artist, Orlando Arocena (also known as Mexifunk) about how illustrators can avoid betraying their own creative vision; whether or not “fulfillment” is something artwork should provide its artist; how illustrators can find clients; and more. You can find Orlando on Instagram . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Substack . Among other benefits, you will gai...
Aug 13, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 270
Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and author, Joe Cepeda, about how Joe took the scenic route to starting his illustration career; what clogs and filters get in the way of one’s creativity; why he’s not that into looking at other illustrators for inspiration; and more. Learn more about Joe by visiting joecepeda.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Substack . Among other benefits...
Aug 06, 2024•50 min•Ep. 269
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 podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Sub...
Jul 30, 2024•39 min•Ep. 268
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, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Substack . Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus epi...
Jul 23, 2024•39 min•Ep. 267
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 this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustratio...
Jul 16, 2024•33 min•Ep. 266
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 include: Wesley Allsbrook , Christine Lee , and Edel Rodriguez If you find value in this podcast, you can ...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 265
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 Artzybasheff , Heath Robinson , Roger Hayward , Ben Shahn , Stanley Meltzoff , Yuko Shimizu , Brian...
Jul 02, 2024•51 min•Ep. 264
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: Dahlov Ipcar , Robert McCloskey , Sam Gross , Lane Smith , Eyvind Earle , Mary Blair , Syd Mead , Est...
Jun 25, 2024•44 min•Ep. 263
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 mentioned in this episode include: Sofonisba Anguissola , Rachel Ruysch , Jessie Wilcox Smith , Neysa McMein...
Jun 18, 2024•45 min•Ep. 262
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 mentioned in this episode include: Brian Froud , Caravaggio , Rubens , Pontormo , Tony DiTerlizzi , E...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 261
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: Priscilla Moreno , Ekaterina Trukhan , and Katy Tanis If you find value in this podcast, you can s...
Jun 04, 2024•43 min•Ep. 260
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, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Substack . Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episod...
May 28, 2024•44 min•Ep. 259
