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Hi illustrators, Every Wednesday, from 5:30 to 6:00 AM EDT, I host a little hangout in my Substack chat room. Come on by. Tell me what you’re working on. open.substack.com/chat/posts/e2d…

❝Drawing is like a prayer. If somebody—anybody!—can, by looking at your picture, catch a glimpse of what you saw, understand what you tried to draw, then your prayer has been answered.❞ —Elizabeth Orton Jones, born on this day, June 25, in 1910

❝The sight of the beautiful blank page! The capable empty sheet with its hospitality, a white receptacle for the multitudinous possible—oh possible—guest! My heart leaps up as at a rainbow.❞ —Rose Cecil O'Neill, born on this day, June 25, in 1874

❝We have eyes, and we're looking at stuff all the time, all day long. I just think that whatever our eyes touch should be beautiful, tasteful, appealing, and important.❞ —Eric Carle, born on this day, June 25, in 1929

Potter, Rockwell, Frazetta, Pinkney, Lionni, Carle, and countless other masters used reference. So should you. No, it has nothing to do with realism. No, it doesn’t kill creativity. No, it isn’t a crutch. Here’s more, from our latest Substack: open.substack.com/pub/illustrati…

Barbara Shermund was born on this day, June 26, in 1899. For close to twenty years, she created nearly six hundred cartoons for The New Yorker. In 1950, Shermund was one of the first three women to be accepted into the National Cartoonist Society.

Lynd Kendall Ward was born on this day, June 26, in 1905. A week before the Great Crash of 1929, Ward’s “God’s Man” was published. It was the first American wordless novel—a precursor to modern-day graphic novels—and the beginning of Ward’s celebrated career.

“There are difficulties in everything. But what else is life about? I always tell people the privilege of being able to make things in your life is unsurpassed.” —Milton Glaser, born on this day, June 26, in 1929

❝My books mirror my liberal views, the right of free choice, and the aversion to indoctrination and violence. They also sprinkle some anarchic humor, which is often the best shield in the face of distress.❞ —Alona Frankel, born on this day, June 27, in 1937

Hi illustrators, From July 1 through July 6, mentorships, workshops, and portfolio reviews are 15% OFF! Not only that, you can choose to receive a 1-month free trial subscription to our best-selling Substack! To take advantage of this rare sale, visit illustrationdept.com/classes.

“The most important thing when drawing or writing for children is to be honest about your own feelings, and to tell [the reader] about yourself.” —Wolf Erlbruch, born on this day, June 30, in 1948

Episode 316 of the #IDPodcast—with comics creator, writer, and educator, Ali Fitzgerald—will be available tomorrow, July 1! Ali talks about where art and art education intersect with social justice; how art can provide connection and solace; and more. Here’s a preview…

Hi illustrators, From July 1 through July 6, mentorships, workshops, and portfolio reviews are 15% OFF! Not only that, you can choose to receive a 1-month free trial subscription to our best-selling Substack! To take advantage of this rare sale, visit illustrationdept.com/classes.

Episode 316 of the #IDPodcast—with comics creator, writer, and educator, Ali Fitzgerald—is now available! Ali talks about where art and art education intersect with social justice; how art can provide connection and solace; and more. ⚡️illustrationdept.com/idpodcast

Hi illustrators, There are just two days left in our Summer Sale. Take advantage of this rare sale, and save 15% on mentorships, portfolio reviews, and more, by visiting illustrationdept.com/classes.

“In a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.” Here’s more on the master of minimalism, Charley Harper, from our latest Substack: open.substack.com/pub/illustrati…

Hi illustrators, Today is the last day of our Summer Sale—in which mentorships, workshops, and portfolio reviews are 15% OFF! And we’re gifting a 1-month free trial subscription to our best-selling Substack! To take advantage of this rare sale, visit illustrationdept.com/classes.

Richard Erdoes was born on this day, July 7, in 1912. In the early part of the 20th century, he fled the Nazis. Toward the end of the 20th century, he fought for the rights of the Lakota Nation. In-between, he had a stellar illustration career.

Steven Heller was born on this day, July 7, in 1950. In Episode 188 of The Illustration Department Podcast, Giuseppe spoke with Steven about Steven’s years as an art director at the New York Times; what he thinks of Generative AI; and more. …ion-department-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/steve…

Episode 317 of the #IDPodcast—with children’s book illustrator and character designer, Toshiki Nakamura—will be available on July 8! Toshi talks about the important months before and after a book’s publication; how he approaches character design; and more. Here’s a preview…