Notes on Illustration | The Illustration Department | Substack

Jean-Thomas “Tomi” Ungerer

The children’s book industry owes this man an apology.

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On Children’s Books

Oct 19, 2024 • The Illustration Department

I Hate Social Media, But…

Mar 19, 2025 • The Illustration Department

Yes, You’re Overthinking It

Jul 10, 2025 • The Illustration Department

The Infantilization of Children’s Book Creators

Oct 16, 2025 • The Illustration Department

Recent posts

5:13

Episode 344: Award-winning illustrator and author, Júlia Sardà

Here’s the Extra Credit for Episode 344 of The Illustration Department Podcast—with award-winning illustrator and author, Júlia Sardà.

Jan 13 • The Illustration Department

Two Years on Substack: Was It Worth It?

What future does Substack hold for illustrators, writers, and yours truly?

Jan 7 • The Illustration Department

9:57

Episode 343: Matt Curtius, illustrator at Gina and Matt, and educator at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture

Here’s the Extra Credit for Episode 343 of The Illustration Department Podcast—with Matt Curtius, illustrator at Gina and Matt, and educator at the…

Jan 6 • The Illustration Department

A satirist of the affluent.

Jan 1 • The Illustration Department

4:46

Episode 342: Literary agent and founder of Heirloom Literary and Media, Elena Giovinazzo

Here’s the Extra Credit for Episode 342 of The Illustration Department Podcast—with literary agent and founder of Heirloom Literary and Media, Elena…

Dec 30, 2025 • The Illustration Department

10 “Tips” and “Rules” Illustrators Should Ignore

“No enemy is worse than bad advice.”

Dec 24, 2025 • The Illustration Department

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Betsy Bird

Notes on Illustration

Notes on Illustration

Thoughts, Insights, and Lessons on the Art, History, and Practice of Illustration | Written by Giuseppe Castellano

Illustrator Biographies

Jean-Thomas “Tomi” Ungerer

The children’s book industry owes this man an apology.

Jan 14 • The Illustration Department

A satirist of the affluent.

Jan 1 • The Illustration Department

Haddon Hubbard “Sunny” Sundblom

The illustrator who did NOT conspire with Coca-Cola to invent the modern-day Santa Claus.

Dec 17, 2025 • The Illustration Department

Nicolas Sidjakov

The Caldecott Medal-winning, Latvian, “Milton Glaser” of San Francisco

Dec 5, 2025 • The Illustration Department

“The Father of American Illustration”

Nov 19, 2025 • The Illustration Department

Bonus Podcast Episodes

5:13

Episode 344: Award-winning illustrator and author, Júlia Sardà

Here’s the Extra Credit for Episode 344 of The Illustration Department Podcast—with award-winning illustrator and author, Júlia Sardà.

Jan 13 • The Illustration Department

Episode 343: Matt Curtius, illustrator at Gina and Matt, and educator at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture

Here’s the Extra Credit for Episode 343 of The Illustration Department Podcast—with Matt Curtius, illustrator at Gina and Matt, and educator at the…

Jan 6 • The Illustration Department

9:57

Episode 342: Literary agent and founder of Heirloom Literary and Media, Elena Giovinazzo

Here’s the Extra Credit for Episode 342 of The Illustration Department Podcast—with literary agent and founder of Heirloom Literary and Media, Elena…

Dec 30, 2025 • The Illustration Department

4:46

Episode 341: New York Times best-selling author, cartoonist, and educator, Bob Eckstein

Here’s the Extra Credit for Episode 341 of The Illustration Department Podcast—with New York Times best-selling author, cartoonist, and educator, Bob…

Dec 23, 2025 • The Illustration Department

9:39

Episode 340: Illustrator, caricaturist, journalist, author, educator, and political commentator, Steve Brodner

Here’s the Extra Credit for Episode 340 of The Illustration Department Podcast—with illustrator, caricaturist, journalist, author, educator, and…

Dec 16, 2025 • The Illustration Department

2:56

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