Art Imitates Life (Kind of): Using Art and Photo References in Illustration with Meredith Lucius
Oct 28, 2026
Online event
Are you afraid of using photo references in your illustration practice for fear that it's "cheating"? Or the opposite: are you too reliant on them, and unable to use your imagination to draw? This webinar is for you then - as well as for everyone else in-between! Meredith Lucius, illustrator of six children's books, will show us how she uses art and photo references to guide her illustration practice. You'll learn how to use references in a way that doesn't feel like cheating and that inspires to create something new, rather than rigidly adhering to your reference. Participants will also get to practice on several photo references of children under Meredith's guidance. This webinar will be recorded and available for 30 days afterwards. $10 members/ $20 non-members
Born in Haiti and raised in sunny Florida, Meredith Lucius has always been passionate about drawing. Growing up with cartoons sparked her love for art and character design, while her experiences as an immigrant have deeply influenced her work, fueling her desire for greater representation in creative media. After studying illustration at the Kansas City Art Institute, Meredith lived in Japan for two years teaching English in a rural seaside town. Being surrounded by nature, a close-knit community, and very cute students encouraged her to pursue a career in picture books so her books could also line the school library shelves her students frequented. She currently resides in Kansas City, MO. Her debut picture book, Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen’s Rise to Fame by Tami Charles, was published by Charlesbridge in February 2026. You can see her artwork at https://www.meredithlucius.com/