CREATIVE MENTORSHIP WITH ANN SHEN
2024 Sessions are now closed.
Join the waitlist below to find out when the next round opens.
What is creative mentorship?
I get a ton of emails asking for advice about how to become a working professional illustrator, and while I’ve done many interviews talking about how I did it, I’ve learned a lot along the way. With years of experience working both in-house as a designer where I hired and art-directed freelancers, to working as a full-time professional illustrator, author, and shop owner, I have a ton of advice to share.
I love helping others see the infinite potential in themselves so I’m excited to offer a VERY LIMITED number of creative mentorship sessions each year!
This is the perfect opportunity for beginning or struggling artists who are looking to go into the commercial illustration/art/publishing field and need real-world advice, guidance, and portfolio reviews to get going on the path that’s been waiting for you!
two ways to work with me
One-Time Consultation
One-hour call with Ann
During a one-time consultation, you’ll get the chance to ask all of your questions and get curated advice for you and your business. Looking for feedback on your portfolio? Seeking guidance on how to even become a creative entrepreneur? Looking for advice on how to start in the world of illustration and publishing? Want a pep talk from someone who’s been there? This consultation is for you!
This one-time consultation option is for you if you are looking for:
• a portfolio review
• the nuts & bolts to starting/building an illustration business
• advice about next steps tailored for your path
• guidance on the illustration & publishing world
Year-Long mentorship
Four 90 minute quarterly calls with Ann
Ready to take your growth to the next level? The year-long mentorship is for you! I’m thrilled to be offering this new way to work with me this year. In the year-long mentorship, we’ll connect once a quarter over Zoom and create a custom plan to help you grow your creative business. This is perfect for the artist who is looking for accountability and long-term growth.
This year-long mentorship option is for you if you are looking for:
• developing your portfolio for specific niches
• assignments to build out your portfolio
• specific feedback on your artwork
• guidance, deadlines & accountability for your goals
• + plus everything in the one time consultation program
* This program is application based. There’s a $20 application fee, and if selected, the fee will go towards your total mentorship total.
A SECRET THIRD WAY TO WORK WITH ME
FOLLOW-UP CONSULTATIONS*
One-hour call with Ann
*For past mentees only. If you’ve completed a one hour or year long mentorship before with me, I’m offering follow-up sessions in the form of a one hour Zoom meeting. We can look at your current portfolio now, and get more in-depth feedback based on what we’ve discussed before, where you’re heading now, talk through any challenges you’re facing, and brainstorm ways to get where you want to go in the creative field. This will really be structured on what you’d like to focus on!
Possible topics for discussion:
• creative process
• building a portfolio
• developing your style
• dealing with contracts
• licensing your artwork
• finding and working with clients
• portfolio/website critique and review
• how to write and pitch a book proposal
• copyrighting and protecting your artwork
• making a plan to reach your creative goals
• where to look for inspiration & stay inspired
• how to price yourself before you wreck yourself
• working trade shows/craft fairs/comic conventions
• ideas for how to set up multiple revenue streams
• identifying your strengths and how to maximize them
• setting up a shop for your products
Why work with me
With over a decade of experience working as an illustrator, I’ve written and illustrated four books that were published by Chronicle Books, designed and released a Disney x Ann Shen global home collection, and worked on exciting projects with clients like Facebook, Papyrus, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
My books have sold over 500,000 copies. My work has been in galleries like Disney’s Wonderground Gallery, Gallery Nucleus, and Giant Robot 2. I’ve also exhibited for over 10 years in various craft shows, pop-ups, events, and comic conventions.
I’ve done interviews with APM’s Marketplace, Forbes, and Print magazine, to name a few. I’ve also been a guest speaker at D23, California College of the Arts, Art Center College of Design, and at various design conferences. I’ve signed as a special guest at D23, SDCC,and the LA Times Book Festival. I’m also a Top Teacher on Skillshare, sharing my knowledge and expertise with thousands of students to positive reviews! I love my work, and best of all, I love making an excellent living at it.
Let’s figure out how you can do it too.
The nuts and bolts of creative mentorship:
One-hour consultation sessions will be scheduled via Calendly. You’ll get an email sharing how to sign up when slots are open!
All calls will be conducted over Zoom.
Once you’ve purchased a session, you’ll be sent a Pre-Call Questionnaire that you must fill out and send back before the meeting. You’ll also send over your portfolio website at this time (if you don’t have one yet, don’t worry. You can also make a quick one by putting all your images on a free site like Tumblr or uploading a private Pinterest board to share).
Life happens, so if you need to reschedule the call, you’ll be given one opportunity to do so.
I look forward to connecting with you!