Introduction to Illustrating Children’s Picture Books

Through a series of workshops and practical exercises you will be introduced to the process of making a children’s picture book, starting with early idea generation, research, through character development and storyboarding, all the way to the final artwork. By the end of this course, you will come up with a picture book concept supported by character development sketches, initial storyboards, experiments with materials and a sample final piece for one of the illustrations.

You will be taught in specialist art and design studios and through practical demonstrations, one-to-one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first, and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here.

Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a device with an internet connection.

Learning in this course is hands-on, and your skills will develop through practice, discovery, and engagement with materials and techniques.  

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Apply early idea-generation techniques to develop storytelling, characters, and world-building concepts for children’s picture books.
• Develop sequential storytelling through storyboarding and sample book making, experimenting with visual techniques.
• Demonstrate transferable professional skills by planning and managing an end-to-end project workflow. 

This course is for learners interested in the process of creating children’s picture books. Prior drawing and art experience is preferrable but not essential.

Learners with an enthusiasm for creative exploration or have a natural appreciation for colour, texture and form may find this course particularly rewarding. A willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

This course welcomes those with a vivid imagination and enthusiasm for creative exploration. This hands-on course requires no formal background in art or design.    

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course is due to start, unless the course is full or cancelled.