The Illustration Department Podcast

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Lauren Paige Conrad about how much illustrators should and shouldn’t care about their work; what it means to be “productive”; how appreciating small wins can help creatives see the big picture; and more.

To learn more about Lauren, visit https://www.laurenpaigeconrad.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Lian Cho, Jon Klassen, Carson Ellis

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to literary agent at Root Literary, Jessica Saint Jean about what comparison titles are, and whether they have value; what else you should have ready to submit, when an agent shows interest; how children’s book illustrators can play the long game; and more.

You can find Jessica on Instagram.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Janell Cannon, Christian Robinson, Leo Lionni, Marc Simont, Beatrix Potter, Remy Charlip, Lane Smith

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, writer, and filmmaker, Gris Grimly about how cancelled or postponed projects can be positive, even magical, steps forward; how making art helps process trauma; how creatives can avoid being misguided; and more.

To learn more about Gris, https://grisgrimly.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Dave McKean, John J. Muth, Edward Gorey, Charles Addams, Arthur Rackham, Lisbeth Zwerger, Sam Kieth, Mercer Mayer, Simms Taback

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Sara Frazetta, co-founder of Frazetta Girls, and granddaughter of Frank Frazetta, about her relationship with her grandpa; who Frazetta influenced, and who influenced him; what illustrators today can learn from Frazetta; and more.

Learn more about Sara and Frazetta Girls at https://www.frazettagirls.com/.

You can buy Taschen’s The Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta from their website.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Titian, N.C. Wyeth, Mark Taylor, Hal Foster, Milton Caniff, and Joseph Clement Coll

Originally published on January 9, 2024.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and educator, Marcos Chin about the one lesson he hopes all students of illustration take to heart; how illustrators can “keep the demons of jealousy away”; why asking “what is it like to be me” is an important question all of us should ask; and more.

To learn more about Marcos, visit https://www.marcoschin.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Christina Lee, Marshall Arisman, Anita Kunz

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and writer, Angie Kang about how winning a major award can affect one’s relationship with their creative process; what Angie’s bad (and good) art days look like; how illustrators can minimize their bad art days; and more.

To learn more about Angie, visit https://www.angiekang.net.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Oliver Jeffers, Christian Robinson, Julia Sardá, Mike Lowery, Bernie Fuchs, Shawn Harris, Gracey Zhang, Paul O. Zelinsky

Angie mentioned the literary platform, https://www.submittable.com/.

Here is Giuseppe’s Substack publication about thoughtfulness.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to literary agent and founder of The Anjali Singh Agency, Anjali Singh about how she brought Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel, Persepolis, to the U.S.; what common, subjective excuse is given for many rejections in publishing; how you can find a literary agent; and more.

To learn more about Anjali, visit https://www.anjalisinghagency.com/.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Myra El Mir, Art Spiegelman, Aya Ghanameh, Angie Kang, Nicole Georges

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Roz Chast, long-time cartoonist for The New Yorker, about the early days of her career; how she works through anxiety and artist’s block; what women cartoonists throughout history have meant to her; and more.

To learn more about Roz, visit https://www.rozchast.com.

Roz mentions Bartleby, the Scrivener.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Lynda Barry, Sam Gross, Jules Feiffer, Stan Mack, Mark Alan Stamaty, Ethel Plummer, Mary Petty, Ilonka Karasz, Helen Hokinson, Barbara Shermund, Roberta Macdonald, Charles Addams

Originally published on March 29, 2022.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Brett Helquist about how challenging it can be for illustrators to make time to make art; how he approaches character design; what artists need on their creative journeys; and more.

To learn more about Brett, visit bretthelquist.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Robert Neubecker, Hank Ketcham, Christian Robinson, Howard Pyle

Find Brett’s book, The Haunted Playground, at your favorite bookstore, or by visiting penguinrandomhouse.com.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and writer, Shawn Harris about the difference between detail and specificity in an illustration; what a picture book can be about (hint: literally everything); how illustrators can color correct traditional art; and more.

To learn more about Shawn, visit https://www.shawnharris.info/.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Júlia Sardà, Quentin Blake, The Fan Brothers, William Steig, James Marshall, Jan Brett, Maurice Sendak, Chris Van Allsburg, Sandra Boynton, Alexander Utkin, Helen Stephens, Dr. Seuss

Shawn and Giuseppe talked about playing cassette tapes in one’s car. If you’re interested, here’s how.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, educator, and creative investigator, Sterling Hundley about why it’s challenging for artists to find a “voice”; why it’s important to stay present—especially for creative and depressive types; why illustrators should embrace the word, “interesting”; and more.

To learn more about Sterling, visit https://sterlinghundley.com/.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Mark English, John English, Brad Holland, Bob Peak, Bernie Fuchs, Diego Velázquez, John Singer Sargent, Robert Heindel

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to writer, producer, and co-creator of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra, Michael Dante DiMartino, about the challenges he faced in self-publishing his young adult novel, Both Here and Gone; how he weaves emotions like grief, depression, and anger into appealing stories for a young audience; how artists can bring balance to their creative lives; and more.

To learn more about Michael, and his novel, visit https://www.michaeldantedimartino.com.

Originally published on February 11, 2025.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, author, and educator, Catarina Sobral about how she uses color to keep her illustrations in balance; what people misunderstand about the picture book as an art form; why moments of tangible happiness are so important for illustrators; and more.

To learn more about Catarina, visit https://catarinasobral.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Christian Robinson, Oliver Jeffers, Benjamin Chaud

Giuseppe mentioned his Substack article, Brown Deserves Better. You can read it here.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to visual artist, Emiliano Ponzi about how he uses chaos and ping-pong to come up with creative ideas; how an artist is like a broken glass of water; how illustrators, or any artist, can follow their own nature; and more.

To learn more about Emiliano, visit https://www.emilianoponzi.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Lorenzo Mattoti, Anita Kunz, Guido Crepax, Mike Mignola, Luis Mendo

Headshot by Emanuele Zamponi.

Emiliano mentioned The Philippe Labaune Gallery. You can learn more about it here.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kathleen Merz, Editorial Director at Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, about what she looks for in children's book text and art; what top five things creators need to know before they submit their children’s book to a publisher; what creators should be chasing instead of “the market”; and more.

To learn more about Kathleen and Eerdman’s, visit eerdmans.com.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, Yuko Shimizu about how illustrators can manage their fear of failure; how to negotiate with illustration clients; what necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful; and more.

To learn more about Yuko, visit yukoart.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Christoph Niemann, William Steig, Katsushika Hokusai, Mirko Ilić, Leo Lionni

Originially published on June 10, 2019.

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and writer, Jon Klassen about how mid-century UPA cartoons led him to a children’s book career; why illustrators can use quieter color palettes (despite being told otherwise); why illustrators should get into the habit of saying, “I don’t wanna”; and more.

You can find Jon, his links, and his books on Instagram.

Giuseppe mentioned his popular Substack article, Get Into Your Comfort Zone. You can read it here.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Dr. Seuss, John Hubbell, P.D. Eastman, Roy McKie, Frank Thomas, Gustaf Tenggren, J.P. Miller, Aurelius Battaglia, Bill Peet, Retta Scott, Dan Krall, William Steig, Arnold Lobel, Jess Hannigan, Syd Hoff

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, Ann Telnaes about her news-making departure from The Washington Post; how illustrators can combat cynicism; what advice she has for struggling illustrators; and more.

To learn more about Ann, visit https://anntelnaes.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Barbara Dale, Barry Blitt, Thomas Nast, Honoré Daumier, Herb Block, Barbara Shermund

Check out:

• https://anntelnaes.substack.com
• https://www.democracyundersiegedoc.org
• https://arenes.fr/livre/censure-en-amerique/(Book co-authored with Patrick Chappatte)

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator, Cátia Chien about balancing her personal and artistic lives; how the nervous system and the creative process are intertwined; what basic, boring advice every artist should follow; and more.

To learn more about Cátia, visit https://www.catiachien.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Leo Espinosa, Luis Mendo, Yuko Shimizu, Brecht Evens, Rudy Gutierrez, Javaka Steptoe, Betsy Lewin

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and author, Lane Smith about how he went from illustrating an album cover for Oingo Boingo, to publishing his first picture book; what he doesn’t like about the term “kid-friendly” when describing kids’ books; why he works in multiple styles and media; and more.

To learn more about Lane, visit https://www.lanesmithbooks.com/.

Lane and Giuseppe spoke at length about Grandpa Green—which earned Lane a Caldecott Honor in 2012. You can buy it here.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Stan Lee, Georganne Deen, Matt Mahurin, Greg Spalenka, Peggy Rathmann, James Marshall, Ludwig Bemelmans, Edward Gorey, Józef Wilkoń, Tomi Ungerer, Maurice Sendak, Alice and Martin Provensen, Ralph Steadman, William Joyce, Chuck Jones, Henrik Drescher, Étienne Delessert, Rita Marshall, Jon Klassen, Keith Haring, Charles Schulz, William Steig, Grandma Moses, Leo Lionni

If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by http://illustrationdept.com/—a global leader in online education for illustrators. / The music for this podcast was created by Oatmello.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email Giuseppe.