I was chatting with my friend the other day on how we both love creating art businesses and the thought occurred to me that it would be so fun to do a Substack video convo for our community. Alas, a webinar series was born.

TODAY’S TOPIC: How do we get motivated to do art, to get or stay excited about our creative careers?

Use this Zoom link to join.

TODAY, FRIDAY, JULY 31

2-3 PM PM ET

Katie texted me:

“I’ve been wondering…

What makes us choose a creative career?

Is it the same reason now as it was x number of years ago?

How does our “why” change how think about our art and our business?

Things like that. I feel like I’m entering this kind of fork in the road and I’m deciding what I want to go all in on and where I should put my energy and what I can/should let go of.

When we work for ourselves, we have to think about all these things.”

Join us as we share our thoughts in a free-flowing conversation on creating art businesses. We’ve got stories. We’ve got tips. Ask us anything!

Here’s what we’ve built:

• An international art agency

• Two illustration businesses

• A wedding stationery business

• A thriving Substack business (

• An art-teaching platform with 30,000 students

• Teaching in Europe

• Teaching locally

• A national jewelry craft line

• Authoring a book

• Illustrating picture books

• Writing a column for a design magazine

• Speaking engagements

• and more we’ve forgotten!

Basically we love making creative businesses. And we love talking about it.

Use this Zoom link to join.

FRIDAY, JULY 31

2-3 PM PM ET

It’s free because we just want to do this and not everything needs to be financially lucrative. We’re not selling anything. We’re just having fun. Hopefully it will inspire you.

See you then!

Lilla and Katie

Got any questions for us? Leave them in the chat. We would love to hear your thoughts.

My art retreat in Italy in September is sold out, but stay tuned for my 2027 European retreat announcement, coming soon!

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I was chatting with my friend the other day on how we both love creating art businesses and the thought occurred to me that it would be so fun to do a Substack video convo for our community. Alas, a webinar series was born.

FRIDAY’S TOPIC: How do we get motivated to do art, to get or stay excited about our creative careers?

Use this Zoom link to join.

FRIDAY, JULY 31

2-3 PM PM ET

Katie texted me:

“I’ve been wondering…

What makes us choose a creative career?

Is it the same reason now as it was x number of years ago?

How does our “why” change how think about our art and our business?

Things like that. I feel like I’m entering this kind of fork in the road and I’m deciding what I want to go all in on and where I should put my energy and what I can/should let go of.

When we work for ourselves, we have to think about all these things.”

Join us as we share our thoughts in a free-flowing conversation on creating art businesses. We’ve got stories. We’ve got tips. Ask us anything!

Here’s what we’ve built:

• An international art agency

• Two illustration businesses

• A wedding stationery business

• A thriving Substack business (

• An art-teaching platform with 30,000 students

• Teaching in Europe

• Teaching locally

• A national jewelry craft line

• Authoring a book

• Illustrating picture books

• Writing a column for a design magazine

• Speaking engagements

• and more we’ve forgotten!

Basically we love making creative businesses. And we love talking about it.

Use this Zoom link to join.

FRIDAY, JULY 31

2-3 PM PM ET

It’s free because we just want to do this and not everything needs to be financially lucrative. We’re not selling anything. We’re just having fun. Hopefully it will inspire you.

See you then!

Lilla and Katie

Got any questions for us? Leave them in the chat. We would love to hear your thoughts.

My art retreat in Italy in September is sold out, but stay tuned for my 2027 European retreat announcement, coming soon!

Subscribe now

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My Online Courses

I’m so happy to announce my next in-person class right here in Arlington, MA. It’s my final 5-week session for the year, at the charming and friendly Maxima Hive, beginning August 13. It’s 5 dreamy weeks where I support you and your art magic, Thursdays 10:30-12:30. I’ll be teaching in Tuscany in September/October and then it’s the holidays, so that’s why this will be the last session.

New for August: Lettering, decorative motifs, travel sketchbooking, composing a pretty page, oil pastel.

We’ll have the usual unusual surprises and demos, plus a demo of oil pastels and a tiny bit of turpentine for a silky, lipstick-y feel. Yes, I’m a convert to oil pastels.

Oil pastels with a touch of turp is like making an oil painting without the muss or fuss but with the luxurious richness of the paint and colors.

And of course you can use any supplies you like, including what I will demonstrate such as watercolor, gouache, acrylic markers, dip pens, colored pencils, fountain pens, etc.

Get your iced latte at QueBrada next door, and then wander over to the charming new space at Maxima Hive for a happy five-week creative adventure with kindred souls. I’m 99% sure that you’lll love your fellow students.

This is a brand-new session, good for new folks. Filled with all new content, it’s great to join even if you’ve taken my previous sessions. Plus, I love all levels—beginner to working artist/illustrator.

My previous classes sell out, and likely this one will, too. Maximum 14 students.

A sketchbook is a magical and chill place to experiment with art supplies, try on new styles, loosen up, and mess around with materials. Plus glue things in.

Each week I’ll demo art supplies and techniques guaranteed to charge up your art-making, make it more fun, relaxed, pretty and less judge-y.

Plus we’ll do my silly guessing games for prizes.

After spending 30 years mentoring top artists through my agency and as a full time illustrator for a dozen years, I have tons of tools in my tool kit to bring out your best!

Hope to see you there! Let’s make some art! Here’s the link.

xo

Thank you to those who joined our rollicking, free-range chat about all things creative entrepreneurship. We loved seeing you in the chat and answering your questions.

We had such a fun time that we plan on doing another next month. I’ll send out a thing.

We hope you find it helpful in the pursuit and growth of your creative career, or just feel like watching two enthusiastic art birds chat about their careers.

xo,

Lilla and Katie

I did this piece in advance of a class I was teaching on adding borders to your art. I love to do the assignments I’m going to give to my students, ahead of time.

Got any questions for us? Leave them in the chat. We would love to hear your thoughts.

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My Online Courses

I was chatting with the other day on how we both love creating art businesses and the thought occurred to me that it would be so fun to do a Substack video convo for our community on the topic. Alas, a webinar was born.

TODAY

2PM ET

Use this Zoom link to join.

Join us as we share our thoughts in a free-flowing conversation on creating art businesses. We’ve got stories. We’ve got tips. Ask us anything!

Here’s what we’ve built:

• An international art agency

• Two illustration businesses

• A wedding stationery business

• A thriving Substack business (that’s Katie’s)

• An art-teaching platform with 30,000 students

• Teaching in Europe

• Teaching locally

• A national jewelry craft line

• Authoring a book

• Illustrating picture books

• Writing a column for a design magazine

• Speaking engagements

• and more we’ve forgotten!

Basically we love making businesses. And we love talking about it.

Use this Zoom link to join.

TODAY

2PM ET

It’s free because we just want to do this and not everything needs to be financially lucrative. We’re not selling anything. We’re just having fun. Hopefully it will inspire you.

See you then!

Lilla and Katie

Got any questions for us? Leave them in the chat. We would love to hear your thoughts.

Subscribe now

Share

Leave a comment

My Online Courses

I was chatting with the other day on how we both love creating art businesses and the thought occurred to me that it would be so fun to do a Substack video convo for our community on the topic. Alas, a webinar was born.

Join us as we share our thoughts in a free-flowing conversation on creating art businesses. We’ve got stories. We’ve got tips. Ask us anything!

Here’s what we’ve built:

• An international art agency

• Two illustration businesses

• A wedding stationery business

• A thriving Substack business (that’s Katie’s)

• An art-teaching platform with 30,000 students

• Teaching in Europe

• Teaching locally

• A national jewelry craft line

• Authoring a book

• Illustrating picture books

• Writing a column for a design magazine

• Speaking engagements

• and more we’ve forgotten!

Basically we love making businesses. And we love talking about it.

Use this Zoom link to join.

MONDAY, JUNE 15

2PM ET

It’s free because we just want to do this and not everything needs to be financially lucrative. We’re not selling anything. We’re just having fun. Hopefully it will inspire you.

See you then!

Lilla and Katie

Got any questions for us? Leave them in the chat. We would love to hear your thoughts.

Subscribe now

Share

Leave a comment

My Online Courses

Dear Artist Friend,

I love teaching. I love teaching artists.

I love opening up the hatch to your brain and seeing what makes you special. I personally thrive on encouraging and nurturing your art.

I have never met a student who in some way doesn’t fascinate me no matter what their level. Every individual is like a surprise package. And then throw in a bunch of art supplies in the mix, and you have some real magic that we get to discover together.

Above: Two spots left as of this writing for my Sketchbook Journaling class. Starts next Thursday! I’m crazy about this class.

My September 2026 Tuscany retreat is now full, but there are two spots left in my super awesome Sketchbook Journaling class at Maxima Hive in Arlington MA if you are looking for something in-person and you’re local (although I have students coming from Connecticut, Providence, and New Hampshire!)

Not local? My team at Make Art That Sells (MATS) just re-opened registration for my Portfolio Club online course for I think just two days and so there’s that if you can’t do the local course and want loads of juicy goodness—like inspiring assignments, live Zooms, my art demos, and more—6 months of goodness, four more months live.

Above: Get assignments based on real-world gigs from my 30 years as an art agent in the popular Portfolio Club online course!

As an illustrator and a former art agent, I created this course because I want you to keep making art. Why? Because the more art you make, the better you get at it. And it speaks to the markets that buy loads of illustration, from book covers to editorial to packaging.

Above: Student Audrey Szabo has already sold art she made for Portfolio Club January and February assignments!

Above: art by MATS student Heather Manning for last month’s Portfolio Club assignment

Show the kind of work for the kinds of jobs you want to get. Knowing how to make an art portfolio that speaks to the top illustration markets is the key to getting hired, and that’s why I created this course for you. It’s the art agent in me.

Hope to see you in class!

Subscribe now

And, by the way, my former represented artist Paloma O’Toole’s gorgeous and meaningful author/illustrated picture book just came out! Beyond being beautiful, it’s such an important—and tender—book.

Keep making your art!

xo

Are you signed up for any of my things? Or just want to comment?

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If you’re looking for a lovely, welcoming community in a cozy spot to make art, I think you’ll love my Sketchbook Journaling course in Arlington, MA. I’m so enjoying the current group—everyone is eager to make art, try new things, and cheer each other on.

I’m in the midst of teaching my second session, and I’m loving it so much that I’m opening up another. Teaching, inspiring, and offering lots of positive support—that’s dreamy for me. In fact, it’s something I want to keep as an ongoing part of my life.

✨ The next 5-week session begins Thursday, May 14th, and registration opens today (limited spots). Sign up here.

Above: From yesterday’s class. We worked on drawing people.

Announcing my next Sketchbook Journaling class at Maxima Hive in Arlington, MA
Thursdays, starting May 14th, 10:30–12:30, for 5 weeks.
Maximum 14 spots. All previous classes have sold out quickly.
Bonus: it’s conveniently located right next door to Quebrada coffee. ☕️

Above: I always bring along a bagful of goodies to demonstrate, followed by plenty of time for everyone to make art, ask me questions, or chat with each other.

I’ll have even more surprises, demos, freebies, and printouts to share! We gather in our cozy spot in the bookstore/gift shop at Maxima Hive to paint, learn, and grow.

Above: Demos from the current session—birds, blobs, inky lines and more.

For the May series we’ll draw gorgeously patterned moths colored in rich mocha tones, French cakes focusing on yummy textures, vintage ogee prints that I’m sure you’ll find so satisfying to color. I want to show you one of my favorite flowers to draw—the blob-based lovely red-violet foxgloves, and finally, I’lll indulge you in the breathtaking beauty of vintage borders gathered from the 1600’s onwards—a great way to doll up your art.

As always, I demonstrate the imagery using watercolor, acrylic gouache, dip pens, gel pens, colored pencil—and anything else you request. I’ll demo a bit of iPad Procreate and the Ink Set App for those who are curious.

Sign up here!

My goal is to help you fall in love with sketchbook journaling, grow your work, and play. And yes—you can ask me anything about illustration. I bring 30 years as an art agent (plus my own illustration career back in the day, with clients like Anna Wintour, the Grammys, and The New York Times, and representation in New York, Paris, and Tokyo), so… I’ve got stories. 😉

NEW: Are you signed up for my online Illustrating Children’s Book course which starts Monday? Bring in your work and I’d be delighted to help you with it!

I hope to see you there. It’s great fun and a wonderful way to evolve your style—and I have plenty of playful tricks up my sleeve.

xo

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I love to teach! Can’t make it to Arlington? My online courses at Make Art That Sells are here.

lillarogers.com

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If you’re looking for a lovely, welcoming community in a cozy spot to make art, I think you’ll love my Sketchbook Journaling course in Arlington, MA. I’m so enjoying the current group—everyone is eager to make art, try new things, and cheer each other on.

I’m in the midst of teaching my first session, and I’m loving it so much that I’m opening up another. Teaching, inspiring, and offering lots of positive support—that’s dreamy for me. In fact, it’s something I want to keep as an ongoing part of my life.

✨ The next session begins April 2, and registration opens today (limited spots). Sign up here.

Announcing my next Sketchbook Journaling class at Maxima Hive in Arlington, MA:
Thursdays, starting April 2, 10:30–12:30, for 5 weeks.
Maximum 14 spots—and I expect it to fill again.
Bonus: it’s conveniently located right next door to Quebrada coffee. ☕️

Above: I bring a bagful of goodies to demonstrate, followed by plenty of time for everyone to make art, ask me questions, or chat with each other.

I’ll have even more surprises, demos, freebies, and printouts to share! We gather in our cozy spot in the bookstore/gift shop at Maxima Hive to paint, learn, and grow.

I’ll demonstrate watercolor, acrylic gouache, dip pens, gel pens, colored pencil—and anything else you request. I’ll show you simple, satisfying ways to draw birds and charming exteriors. We’ll work on vintage labels for lettering, decorative motifs, and I’ll demo a bit of iPad Procreate and the Ink Set App for those who are curious.

Sign Up Here

My goal is to help you fall in love with sketchbook journaling, grow your work, and play. And yes—you can ask me anything about illustration. I bring 30 years as an art agent (plus my own illustration career back in the day, with clients like Anna Wintour, the Grammys, and The New York Times, and representation in New York, Paris, and Tokyo), so… I’ve got stories. 😉

I hope to see you there. It’s great fun and a wonderful way to evolve your style—and I have plenty of playful tricks up my sleeve.

xo
Lilla

Leave a comment

xo

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I love to teach! Can’t make it to Arlington? My online courses at Make Art That Sells are here. Craving great instruction to help you craft your winning picture book text? My children’s picture book writing course, now in its 5th year, begins February 23. If you’re craving a magical art adventure, join me for my dreamy retreat in Italy in September (1 spot left).

Dear Friends,

I’m curled up with a steamy espresso, journal, and fountain pen filled with red glitter ink—my morning routine. So far so good.

I’m craving making some art, but I don’t know what to draw.

I have no ideas. Nada.

You would think I would know what I want to draw after decades and decades of teaching art, making art, agenting, illustrating, and owning pretty much every art supply.

So I list the art things that I like doing these days.

I list lettering, Procreate, flowers with latin names, vintage things, people, drawing packages with lettering on my iPad in Procreate, like this from my 30-Day Style Play challenge from last year.

But still, no idea what to draw. Nada.

After lunch, Schiffie comes over to my studio to finish sewing a pretty velvet top. She opts for the regular Bernina machine over the serger because of a tricky curved seam.

We settle in with our British Breakfast teas in thoughtfully chosen mugs; hers with honey and mine with honey and half-and-half. This is not an important detail, and it won’t be on the test, but it sets the cozy tone for what follows.

I use the time to do a little studio tidying. Not trying to figure out what to draw, just putting away this and that.

I spot this Ricola package that my daughter Natasha recently brought back from Germany for me.

Anybody who knows me well knows I love my Ricolas, so it was a touching gesture on her part. Plus, it’s got pretty little flowers with their names and lots of lettering. And hubby translated for me. Bingo.

Flowers, check.

Lettering, check.

Product package, check.

Sentimental, check.

Good to do in Procreate, check.

Sometimes things just fall into place.

It was fun to draw.

How do you decide what art to make? I’d love to hear!

Leave a comment

xo

UPCOMING TEACHING SCHEDULE

I’m very excited about my brand-new course, a 5-week Sketchbook Journaling course starting this Thursday in Arlington, MA. I’d love to see you! Almost full.

I’m so thrilled to be teaching at my third Uptrek retreat, this time a magical week in Tuscany in early September. Join me for this extraordinary event. 2 spots left.

I adore getting to work closely with artists in my 6-week small group mentoring on-line intensive, Inner Circle in late September. See you there? 4 spots left.

My children’s picture book writing class starts February 23. Sign up here.

Registration for Portfolio Club closes this Thursday, Feb. 5.

Subscribe now

Subscribe for free.

Here’s the perfect place to create inspired personal work! My cozy Sketchbook Journaling course begins Thursday, February 5th at 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM in Arlington, MA. Join me! Only a few spots left.

Hello, Artist Friends.

Back in the early 1990’s, Anna Wintour asked me to go to any restaurant in Manhattan, bring along a friend and my art supplies, and draw whatever I wanted, for the Brooklyn Academy of Music guide. Also around that year, I was asked to illustrate a page for the Grammys program, brush-lettering the names of the bands.

I got jobs like these, in part, I believe, because I made my art like my personal work. I made personal work that informed my art. And that’s what I showed. And the work you show is the work you get.

It’s about being aware of the work that’s being commissioned, of course, understanding the markets, but then doing work that you feel is of your highest level.

There are so many amazing art directors who want to commission work with edge, with a personality, with a strong point of view.

This was a double page spread, part of a four-page-spread that I illustrated for the Levi’s campaign in the mid-1990’s with a very large print media buy, including Vanity Fair, Vogue, Rolling Stone, and many more magazines, plus in-store point of purchase.

But how do you get that work? Work that delights you, that reflects who you are?

Here’s how: You make personal work, work that feels right to you, and one of the best ways I know to discover that is to make art in journals and sketchbooks. To mess around. To not try. To see what happens when you’re experimenting.

When you’re sipping coffee, listening to music, writing words, drawing things and doing it with like-minded folks, like we’ll do at Maxima. Dreamy.

Above: Some of my journals done as demonstrations for my retreats the past two years in France and Portugal. Each week I’ll give you pretty cards like this to draw from. It takes the pressure off trying to think up what to draw.

With that in mind, I’ve created a course that I think will get you playing with art, making personal work, vibing on your own style, and growing as an artist.

That course is at the cool space, Maxima Hive, which is a bookstore and gift shop. Plus I’m giving out tote bags and all kinds of cool stuff.

A sketchbook journal isn’t about painting a masterpiece on every page, although of course, what consitutes a masterpiece anyway?

For me, my sketchbook journaling is about setting a time and a place to relax, play around on the paper, to make little marks with a squishy gel pen or dot the page with drippy watercolor blobs or press an inked rubber stamp onto the cotton paper.

It’s my cozy otherworldly time to pause and to maybe write what I’m feeling grateful for even if I’m not feeling particularly grateful. And then I become grateful.

I want to share my love of sketchbook journaling with you.

Paradoxically, when you just play and don’t try to make a masterpiece, your artwork actually gets better. You’re making little discoveries which you then incorporate into your art practice.

I like to think of art-making as science experiments, even years as a full-time working illustrator, 30 years as an art agent, and having taught 30,000 students online and in person. I say this only to impress upon you how, after all that, for me, art-making is still just a series of experiments, trying out, what if, and how about that.

Above: What better way to loosen up than to rubberstamp into your journal. To break the ice, to crack open the blank white page. I’m bringing these stamps for you to play with.

News flash: I just ordered a bunch of vintage rubberstamps on eBay, which should be arriving in time for class.

This course is for all levels.

If you live in the Boston area, let’s sip coffee and play in sketchbooks with journal prompts, experimenting with materials and enjoying camaraderie for five Thursday mornings, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM beginning Feb. 5. Only a few spots left! Sign up here. And next door is Quebrada coffee…

I love to support artists. Let’s find your magic, nourish it, and get you to the next level together.

As an illustrator, author, columnist, speaker, and an agent for 30 years, let’s hang out, make art, and I’m happy to answer all your burning questions about a creative career, Hope to see you soon!

(Want to join me for my 6-week Inner Circle Intensive? Just launched and almost sold out. It’s here. Looking to write that picture book that’s been on your mind? Class starts Feb. 23. It’s here.)

xo,

P. S. Big news coming soon…stay tuned!

Sign up for my Sketchbook class

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Hubby insists she get that chunky handmade paper book. (He’s a keeper.)

That girl would be me, which you figured out because I’m writing this thing, and I cannot wait to get my first delivery from Top Drawer, test out everything and show you.

Art supplies are my love language.

Stay tuned!

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Xo

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Registration is now open! Join me at our own private Italian villa for a week of artmaking!

I’m so so thrilled to announce my next European art retreat, September 28 – October 5, 2026, this time in sunny, gorgeous Tuscany, where all our needs are taken care of so we can make art, eat yummy food, make new friends and delight in a few exciting adventures.

This retreat is a creative buffet, meant to inspire you to create gorgeous vintage lettering, stylish borders, unique motifs, lovely pastel textures, watercoloring flowers, and even some Procreate techniques!

It's a way to get you excited about your art, enrich your style and, if you like, make portfolio pieces. All levels, all goals invited.

With only 6 spots left, it's sure to sell out.

Sign up here.

What if your week sounded like this: sipping coffee in our own villa, filling your sketchbook with color and lettering, wandering antique markets, making art all day... and being served three beautiful meals daily? Let’s do it—in Tuscany!

"But Lilla," you ask, "how will I come up with ideas for what to draw?"

I'm so glad that you asked!

As someone who's taught her whole life--from kids to Parsons School of Design to 11 years teaching 30,000 students at Make Art That Sells, I know the key to charging up my students is to feed them yummy inspiration food.

To that end, on this retreat, I demonstrate some scrumptious art thing each day and I give each of you 5 gorgeously printed cards each with tantalizing visuals to draw, keyed into the art materials of the day. Read on.

And oh yeah, there's Italy to draw. Read more here.

What will your days on your dreamy art buffet retreat in Tuscany actually be like?

We'll begin the day with a leisurely breakfast and conversation over coffee in this charming spot.

Above: You'll enjoy staying in spacious, traditional Tuscan apartments with "arte povera" furnishings and enjoy amenities like tranquil gardens, a 66 ft. (20 m.) pool, a sprawling vineyard, an impressive olive grove, and a private lake.

Time for making art!

Above: Happy art-makers, from my retreats in Portugal 2024 and France 2025

"My experience on the Retreat with Lilla Rogers was a dream! Lilla is an experienced, well-prepared, positive teacher, and attracts groups of diligent, talented participants. Our group was a dynamic mix, a natural result of Lilla's years of pulling all sorts of creative people together through her world-wide illustration courses. That broad outreach could fill many retreats. Thank you to everyone involved - for me, it was the trip of a lifetime, and an important part of my professional development as an artist."

Join me for a trip that you'll never forget. I can't wait to see you!

What exactly will you learn?

After the morning demonstration, I go around and help or simply swoon over what you're working on. This retreat is a joyful buffet of art techniques and mediums sure to inspire you, for truly all levels.

When you experiment, you fall more deeply in love with your art.

Each day, I'll demonstrate one of the following:

CROWD FAVORITE: VINTAGE AND MODERN LETTERING

I love when my students tell me that they never knew that lettering could be so fun and were delighted in how good they became with it! I've done lettering for my entire life/career--from brush lettering to Micron pen to Procreate to italic calligraphy with a dip pen--and I hope to pass my excitement on to you.

2. NEW: MOTIFS AND BORDERS

I'm obsessed with motifs and borders! Take anything you draw or letter and add some fun borders, like for this image I did which I did recently for a commission for a temporary tattoo company! You just never know...

"So, Lilla," you ask, "can you explain what you mean by motifs and borders?"

Sure! Glad you asked! Motifs and borders are little doodads, bits and bobs, icons--the decorative bits that you can add to your piece to make it more interesting. flowers, vines, scrolls, patterns, little bitty objects, and the like.

These are things that are easy to draw but make your work more interesting.

I'll give you lots of carefully curated visual reference to draw from. That makes it easy!

Above, top: Vintage inspiration; Above, bottom: my interpretation. That was fun and I learned a lot.

Join me for a trip that you'll never forget!

3. NEW: PROCREATE AND INK SET ON THE iPAD

Can you guess which of these I did on my iPad?

All of these. Yup, 100% digital. I've been bitten by the Procreate bug. I'll share my secrets.

I'm going to show you some of my favorite brushes, some techniques and tricks, and even my favorite gooey oil paint app.

"But Lilla, I don't have an iPad and I'm not sure I want to do digital."

I'm glad you mentioned this. You absolutely don't need an iPad; you don't even need to want to do this. But you might enjoy watching a demo to see if it's something you might want to pursue.

And for those of you who are experts, let's talk brushes and techniques!

4. NEW: PASTEL PLAY

Let's look at pastels in a new way--loose, fresh color rubbed and smudged on silky paper. I'll demonstrate some ways to make gorgeous textures to import into your work whether traditional or digital.

Read more and sign up here.

5. WATERCOLOR & GOUACHE FLORAL TECHNIQUES

Let's paint some florals. I'll demonstrate resists, inky line, gum Arabic, and more.

6. COLOR PALETTE DISCOVERY

You know the joy you feel when you discover your new favorite color palette? I've got lovely cards with distinctive color imagery that I've printed up just for class to guide you in creating new color stories. Gorgeous color is the key to making appealing art. We all tend to gravitate to our same colors; I'm no exception. How about trying some new ones?

Oooh, let's make art all morning a with a break for a yummy lunch.

Above: Jillie, Mara and Lydia from my retreat last year in France. Did I mention unlimited coffee and tea while you work?

Read more here!

Your afternoon is free for you to dip in the pool, relax, take a stroll, chat with their new friends, get more coffee and snacks, or hop back into our studio to make more art. However, not surprisingly, most of the students choose to scoot back to the studio to work on their art. (I like to motivate everybody with tempting art demos for this reason.) See the schedule here.

The Art-Making Buffet Retreat with Artist and Former Agent Lilla Rogers

TUSCANY, ITALY

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 5, 2026

Read more and sign up here.

September 28 – October 5, 2026

Tuscany, Italy

Perfect for all levels; for those who simply want to make art in Italy to those who wish to energize their style by trying out a variety of media and techniques and to move their work to the next level

For those who wish to glean insight from a former agent to some of the top illustrators in the industry

Read more here about our side trips to antiques markets and a traditional oil mill.

Limited to 16 students

Questions about booking? The retreat is organized by the awesome folks at Uptrek. Take a look at the booking page and if you still have questions, you can reach out to them directly at contact@uptrek.com

Want to know what previous participants have to say? Read the reviews.

Hurry! Only 6 spots left, so I encourage you to sign up if you’re interested.

Book your place HERE. Can't wait to be with you!

Join me for a trip that you'll never forget.

Above: Relaxing after lunch at my recent retreat in Portugal.

I can't wait to make art in Italy with you.

Sign up here.

xo,

Lillarogers.com

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Ask us anything! Can’t wait!

xo

Lilla and Katie

Then words pop into my head and I write them down. Things take shape.

I loved putting the nail polish on her hands. She doesn’t have long lavish nails. They’re short ones because she means business today. Her mouth says it all.

Then pretty vines but slightly creepy with black flowers.

Even the coffee cups aren’t speaking to each other!

I had a great time making this one. It’s how I do editorial illustration.

Do you like to draw people? Do they just pop into your head? Do they just pop in on the paper and say hi?

2PM ET

Here’s the link. Join the Zoom!

I’ll share my thoughts as a former agent on digital versus traditional art. What are the joys and pitfalls of each? How does Katie work and what does she use?

We’d love to see you there. Got questions for me? Pick my 30-year-as-an-agent brain and 12 years as an illustrator. Got questions for my buddy Katie Stack, illustrator of 4 books?

Although a lot of my work as an illustrator, way back when, was in oil paint and pastel for its rich textures and mushiness, lately I’m loving working on my iPad for its ease and convenience. But I love the mess of paint.

We’ll discuss pros and cons of each.

Xo

Lilla

Here’s the Zoom link to watch the show!

Click here to be reminded.

Join former agent and illustrator on Wednesday, May 7 at 2:30 PM EDT / 7:30 PM GMT for another Art Chat!

Listen in for an hour of inspiration, laughs, and insight! As usual, Katie will bring her list of questions, and Lilla will share her wisdom and stories from years of experience as an artist and agent. Remember to bring your questions for Lilla, too!

Here’s the link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87600774622

Want a reminder one hour before we go live? Click here: https://lu.ma/zlhelxjs

See you then!

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We love doing these Substack lives! Here are a few of the highlights from our chat that I think you’ll especially enjoy:

🎨 My Recent Portugal Retreat Recap
I shared all about my recent Color Retreat in Portugal—seven dreamy days of art-making, three gourmet meals a day (plus snacks and coffee!), and the joy of helping artists dive deep into their practice. I even brought my husband along—he wandered off taking photos and being adorable while we made tons of art!

🖼️ How I Evaluate My Own Art
I showed a recent piece and walked through how I assess my own work—not with judgment, but with curiosity and love. No more “this sucks”—instead, I ask, what’s working here, and what am I excited to try NEXT?

🖌️ Your Style Is Already in You
One of my favorite parts of the chat! I truly believe that your style is already in your DNA—you just have to keep making art and letting it rise to the surface. I even shared how five-year-olds at my Tuesday morning art table already have their own styles. So good.

📚 Bologna Book Fair Magic
Katie shared such interesting details about attending the Bologna Book Fair. She had a publisher tap her on the shoulder before she even got her poster up on the wall. Yes, really!

🧠 HowWe stay Motivated (Even When It’s Hard)
We answered a question on how to stay motivated when it’s hard to stay motivated. We shared a bit about what keeps us going—even on the tough days. Spoiler: it has a lot to do with doing what brings us joy, leaning into community, and remembering how much we love art supplies.

💎 Sneak Peek: My Next Uppercase Column
The theme is jewelry. I’m thinking of photographing my favorite pieces (ones I’ve made or collected) and handwriting little notes about them.