Who’s your teacher?
Empower Your Picture Book Portfolio was created by Emily Coggins, an illustration agent-turned-portfolio coach. She has been running this course yearly since 2021.
During her time as an international illustration agent and Global agent at Astound US Inc, she helped everyone from new and upcoming illustrators to already-published professionals get the jobs they dream of, and reach #1 on the NY Times and Amazon bestseller lists. Not only that, she has met with more art directors than she can count, attended many (many!) international and domestic book fairs, and agented various books that have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list, as well as award winners and celeb titles!
When not working for the Illustration Initiative, Emily is deeply involved in all things kids books. She works as the CMO for a group of creative agencies (including Advocate, Astound, and Illo), helping all of their artists, writers and talent market their work toward fulfilling and successful careers.
See some books she agented.
She created this course to help illustrators create an impactful portfolio on their own schedule.
Find out more below as we enter our 6th year of the successful class!
Are you looking to develop a new style, or elevate your current style into a higher end market, or round out your current folio?
Then this course is for you!
In the class you will....
~ Create a marketable portfolio filled with the art agents and art directors are looking for from picture book illustrators, by learning the key elements you need to improve your visual storytelling.
~ Create a new portfolio piece for every element + extra illustration briefs!
~ Complete a full portfolio of new work by the end of the class!
Course Flow
Explore the full curriculum below!
(press the down arrow to expand to see the full list of modules)
- Welcome to the class!
- Welcome illustrators! Let's get started. (10:23)
- Intro to what agents (& art directors) want to know. (11:00)
- What art directors want to know - beyond the language. (11:36)
- Learn the #kidlit language. (18:19)
- Terms Sheet: Available for Download
- Plan your course schedule. (5:00)
Who will benefit the most from
enrolling in this class?
This course is for an illustrator who has a drawing / illustration background and is looking to advance their career, change styles, or just get their first book deal! From recent art school grads to full-time working illustrators, all can find benefit from the course.
Just a few of our past student testimonials
Questions? We've got answers!
Will I learn how to DRAW from this course?
We suggest understanding how to draw (in at least one medium) for this course to benefit you in the ways I mention. We do not teach you how to draw in this class. It’s also worth mentioning this class is designed specifically to help children’s book illustrators (aspiring through professional) elevate their portfolio to get paying work. It is not an art class.
When does the course begin and end?
This course can be started and finished on your own schedule. The choice is yours and access is open until December 15th, 2026, so begin upon course launch or later on.
How long can I access the course?
Once you join, you retain access until January 1st, 2027.
Is this for writers / picture book creators?
Not unless you are also an illustrator. This course is designed for illustrators who have some technical skill and are ready to take their portfolio to the next level.
Is this course for me?
Email us if you are still unsure if this course is for you, and we are happy to answer your questions. Our email is: illustrationinitiative@gmail.com