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The Illustration Department Podcast

The Illustration Department Podcast

By: Giuseppe Castellano
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Giuseppe Castellano talks to folks in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields about the ups and downs of their careers.2026 Giuseppe Castellano Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • Cátia Chien
    Jun 30 2026

    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, 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 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.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • From the Archive: Lane Smith
    Jun 23 2026

    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 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 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.

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Micha Archer
    Jun 16 2026

    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 Dewdney, Marc Simont

    If you find value in this podcast, consider supporting it via Substack or Patreon. / This podcast is produced by 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.

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    59 mins
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This podcast is so precious to me! As an illustrator I had the pleasure to work on some cool projects already but still feel like I’m finding my feet in what my niche is and where my work fits into the puzzle. It sometimes feels like there’s this big secret -the people who ‘made it’ are all in on. This podcast has helped me more with understanding myself as a creative through hearing many perspectives and what I need to do to get where I’d like to be, than any course, talk or lecture before.
Thanks for being so down to earth with it all.

My favourite podcast ever

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