But could I really make a living as in illustrator? Me, Manhattan, 1989

I’m thrilled to offer my newest thing— Inner Circle, an exclusive small-group mentoring intensive. For 30 years, I nurtured and guided the artists whom I represented, helping them uncover their strengths and build thriving creative careers, and now I want to do the same for you.

Join me for this incredible experience! Read more here, and sign up now, as the previous Inner Circle sold out very quickly. I can't wait to help you achieve your dream!

How would you describe Inner Circle to a friend?
Student Ilana Diamond writes: It’s a rare and beautiful chance to be mentored by a generous, wise artist who really takes the time to understand you. Lilla doesn’t just teach—she listens. She learns about what drives you, what holds you back, and where you want to go. Then she offers thoughtful, actionable guidance to help you get there. She’s a wellspring of insight, experience, and support, and I feel so lucky to have been one of the twelve to learn from her. I’m walking away with more clarity, more confidence, and a deeper belief in my path as an artist.

After thirty years of mentoring artists, I've now gone back to making art again. I didn't ever really stop, but I'm back with a gusto and passion that I haven't felt in quite some time.

Join our bestselling children’s book illustration course! In this online course you’ll create a brilliant children’s book pitch to help you land your dream children’s book gig. You’ll get videos, weekly assignments, live weekly video reviews, interviews with publishers and illustrators and more. Co-taught by top art agent Lilla Rogers and highly-respected children’s book author art director Zoë Tucker, you’ll get 3 exclusive texts plus insider knowledge and hints and tips  from the experts.

Illustration by Make Art That Sells student Darcie Olley

I can’t wait to reveal my next retreat location and date, coming soon! These retreats are a highlight of my year. I get to mentor a small group IRL in a gorgeous country where all of our needs are taken care of—three fabulous meals daily, housing in our own villa—and side trips, too.

Let’s make art together in our own art studio at a villa in Europe with day trips to antique shops and charming cafés.At this upcoming retreat I'll demonstrate lettering, color, art style plus pastel, Procreate, decorative motifs and borders. It's a fun buffet sure to inspire you!

After a tasty lunch, with coffee or tea in hand, we’ll hang out for the informal Ask Agent Lilla anything session. How can I help guide your career? Pick my brain, full of 40 years in the art business as illustrator, author, agent, entrepreneur, speaker, columnist, and more.

Read about my previous retreats in France and Portugal or get on my mailing list to be notified when my Tuscany trip registration opens.

My goal in my twenties was simple (and a bit unlikely for a quirky girl in those days): to make a living drawing pictures.

And I did. I spent the 1980's and 1990's making my living as an illustrator in New York and then Boston. One thing led to the next, and soon I had an incredible roster of illustration clients—The Grammys, Neiman Marcus, Levi’s, Penguin Random House, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Sassy magazine, German Elle, and Vogue, among others. I had agents representing me in New York, Tokyo, and Paris.

One of my favorite assignments? Anna Wintour once asked me to choose any restaurant in New York, dine there, and draw whatever I wanted—expenses and fee paid.

It was a wild and wonderful time—and those years shaped everything that came next. Looking back, I see how those years of drawing for top clients taught me so much—about creativity, about business, and about trusting my own voice. Lessons I still draw on today.

Hand lettering was one of the great income streams for me as an illustrator and for my represented artists. Think book covers, children's books, product packaging, tote bags, greeting cards, and so much more.

In this three month bootcamp, you’ll spent 12 amazing weeks with me with ALL NEW assignments to build up an incredible library of lettering you can use in your work going forward to create a really powerful reference tool to refer back to.

You’ll get 15 playful micro mini assignments to give you 15 fabulous new fonts to play with, and three Big Assignments that will push you to create three stunning pieces of artwork for your portfolio. All this for just £99 (approx. $123)

Plus, a monthly group check-in with me via zoom where you can find out more about the assignments and ask questions.