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The Illustration Department Podcast

The Illustration Department Podcast

Giuseppe Castellano 364 Episodes Jul 21, 2026

Giuseppe Castellano interviews professionals in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields about the highs and lows of their careers.

Episodes

From the archive: Yuko Shimizu
From the archive: Yuko Shimizu Jul 21, 2026 00:57:36 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, L
Jon Klassen
Jon Klassen Jul 14, 2026 01:33:21 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
Ann Telnaes
Ann Telnaes Jul 7, 2026 00:48:38 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 anntelnaes.com. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Barbara Dale, Barry Blitt, Thomas Nast, Honoré Daumier, Herb Block, B
Cátia Chien
Cátia Chien Jun 30, 2026 01:04:58 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 catiachien.com. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Leo Espinosa, Luis Mendo, Yuko Shimizu, Brecht Evens
From the Archive: Lane Smith
From the Archive: Lane Smith Jun 23, 2026 01:13:18 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 lanesmithbooks.com. Lane and Giuseppe sp
Micha Archer
Micha Archer Jun 16, 2026 00:58:59 Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and author, Micha Archer about what illustrators can do when they don’t feel motivated to illustrate; what creative value collage brings to her work; what it takes for illustrators to get good; and more. To learn more about Micha, visit michaarcher.com. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Ezra Jack Keats, Sandra Boynton, Anna
Leslie Cober
Leslie Cober Jun 9, 2026 00:55:24 Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, educator, and President of the Society of Illustrators, Leslie Cober about who the great Alan Cober was as an illustrator and a father; how she’s come to wear all of her creative hats; what advice her dad would share with illustrators today; and more. To learn more about Leslie, visit lesliecober.com. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Sophie Black
Julien Chung
Julien Chung Jun 2, 2026 00:45:58 Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times best-selling illustrator, Julien Chung about his road to getting published, and why it started a bit later in life; how Lois Ehlert’s “wild style” chicka chicka changed children’s publishing; what an illustrator can do to add their voice to the publishing discussion; and more. To learn more about Julien, visit julienchung.com. Artists mentioned in this e
From the Archive: Brian Pinkney
From the Archive: Brian Pinkney May 26, 2026 00:39:06 Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times best-selling and two-time Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator, Brian Pinkney about what it was like growing up—and creating art—with his father, Jerry Pinkney; why illustrators don’t have to be just one thing, or make pictures in just one way; and more. To learn more about Brian, visit instagram.com/brianpinkneyart. Artists mentioned in this episod
Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker May 19, 2026 00:57:15 Giuseppe Castellano talks to school librarian, blogger, podcaster, author, and illustrator, Travis Jonker about the “shameless” origins of 100 Scope Notes—Travis’s popular children’s literature blog; what surprising common denominator connects most good picture books; why performing a picture book manuscript can help one write it; and more. To learn more about Travis, visit travisjonker.substack.c
Sophie Blackall
Sophie Blackall May 12, 2026 01:08:52 Giuseppe Castellano talks to two-time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and author, Sophie Blackall about what a “sludgy” color palette is, and why it’s okay to use one; what value art-making has during life’s most difficult moments; why all book-makers should take book-making seriously; and more. To learn more about Sophie and her books, visit sophieblackall.com. To learn more about Milkwood, v
Luis Mendo
Luis Mendo May 5, 2026 01:14:52 Giuseppe Castellano talks to drawer and writer, Luis Mendo, about what art directors love hearing from illustrators—before and during a project; why artists should find sources of joy other than art-making; why a bad drawing is a good thing; and more. To learn more about Luis, visit luismendo.com. To learn more about Mundo Mendo, visit luismendo.com/mundomendo. Artists mentioned in this episode in

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