370 episodes
- 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 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 anntelnaes.com.
Artists mentioned in this episode include: Barbara Dale, Barry Blitt, Thomas Nast, Honoré Daumier, Herb Block, Barbara Shermund
Check out:
anntelnaes.substack.com
democracyundersiegedoc.org
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 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 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. - 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. - 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.
More Arts podcasts
Trending Arts podcasts
About The Illustration Department Podcast
Giuseppe Castellano talks to folks in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields about the ups and downs of their careers.
Podcast websiteListen to The Illustration Department Podcast, ill-advised by Bill Nighy and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app
- Stations and podcasts to bookmark
- Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Supports Carplay & Android Auto
- Many other app features
Get the free radio.net app
- Stations and podcasts to bookmark
- Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
- Supports Carplay & Android Auto
- Many other app features


The Illustration Department Podcast
Scan code,
download the app,
start listening.
download the app,
start listening.


























