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Over the years, I have experienced a wide variety of ways to learn illustration — from self-taught beginnings (out of necessity, because I didn’t have a teacher), to the structured education of a graphic design degree, to participating in specialized workshops.
I learned something valuable from each of these paths, but becoming an illustrator took me an unusually long time. None of these methods focused specifically on what I was looking for.
That is why I felt the need to fill a gap and create a method that would allow anyone to learn the art of children’s books effectively, and within a reasonable time frame.
Because I personally know the challenges faced by aspiring illustrators, my goal was to simplify the technical side so that the creative side could have more room to grow.
I decided to structure the topics as if they were subjects in a degree program — and that’s how the module system was born. Then I sought out specialists for each module, which has been essential in bringing a rich diversity of perspectives.
This is what inspired me to create this school.
José Sanabria began teaching in 2003 at Sótano Blanco, a school he coordinated, and since 2012 he has taught in his own space, Estudio Color Café—the first name of what is now the José Sanabria School.
More than 1,500 students have attended the school in Argentina alone, and nearly 250 courses have been offered both in person and, since 2020, online for students around the world.
Across our ongoing groups—both onsite and virtual—we’ve welcomed students from Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, France, and Austria.
What truly sets our school apart is the value of real results.
More than 50 students have published at least one illustrated book, and at least 80 students who studied at the school for an average of three years are now working professionally as illustrators, both nationally and internationally.
The José Sanabria School also offers a teacher-training program, and more than 30 students have participated as class assistants.
With our own methodology, we grow and advance together.
“As someone who has personally faced the challenges of becoming a professional illustrator, my goal was to simplify the technical aspects so that creativity could take center stage.”
Published with: Editorial Norma and Panamericana (Colombia); Santillana, Aique, Puerto de Palos, Long Seller, Estrada, Edebé, Atlántida, Guadal, SM, Alfaguara, Comunicarte, Sudamericana, Gerbera, and Clarín newspaper (Argentina); Arrayán (Chile); Santillana (Puerto Rico); Bayard (France); Minedition
(Germany); Nord-Süd (Switzerland); Ekaré, Edebé, Sol 90, La Fragatina, and Thule (Spain); Kite and Primavera (Italy); Dolphin Media (China); North South (United States); Palazzo (United Kingdom).
Additional work: Co-founder of the art school Sótano Blanco, where I taught for eight years.
