Children's book illustration: image, text and writing workshop

What is the course about?

You'll examine both the writing and illustration skills you need to produce a picture book. As well as learning how to develop story ideas, characters and text, you'll also learn about character consistency, sample illustrations and the relationship between illustration and text.

What will we cover?

- The structure of the picture book market
- How to find ideas in the familiar world, and in fantasy
- Visual research skills
- Plot Structure, pacing and page spreads
- The visual development of characters
- Storyboards and page design.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Identify target audiences for your work
- Explore and develop story writing skills
- Design and develop characters
- Experiment with the relationship between text and image
- Use pacing to develop a storyboard.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for beginners.

English-language competency is required: you should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You may need to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

- Presentations
- Demonstrations
- Practical work
- Individual and group tutoring
- Group discussion

Additional/extension activities may be set for you to complete at home or outside of the course hours. Completion of additional tasks is encouraged to help you get the most out of the course. Where required your tutor will discuss these with you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

At City Lit, access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring a A5/A4 sketchbook for the recording of ideas and an A3 folder and/or a USB drive, to transport work to and from City Lit. Additional materials required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor if required.

Need art supplies? Our partner, London Graphic Centre, has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off.

To get 15% LGC discount, you will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment and being a student at City Lit. You can apply in-store or by simply emailing info@londongraphics.co.uk with a scan or photo of relevant confirmation. Student discount does not apply to products that are already discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-discounts/.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

We recommend looking at our range of workshops in graphic design, illustration, children’s book illustration and graphic novels to see what’s on offer.

For more information about any our courses, please visit our website.