Explore the creative possibilities of contemporary illustration through experimentation, image-making, and visual storytelling. This practical online course introduces a wide range of illustration techniques and processes, helping you build confidence, develop ideas, and discover your own visual language.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced students wanting to refresh their practice, the course focuses on how illustrators think, experiment, and communicate through images. You will explore both traditional and contemporary approaches, working with drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, mixed media, hand-drawn typography, and experimental image-making techniques.
What will we cover?
Through weekly projects, you will investigate atmosphere, colour, composition, mark-making, figure drawing, visual storytelling, and illustrated book design. You will learn how illustrators use materials, symbols, texture, and layout to create mood, meaning, and narrative. Projects encourage playful experimentation alongside practical problem-solving, helping you respond creatively to illustration briefs while developing a more individual style. Each session includes illustrated talks, demonstrations, practical exercises, group discussion, and individual feedback in a supportive and friendly online environment. You will also explore the work of contemporary illustrators and gain insight into different creative approaches across the field.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Build a portfolio of experimental and resolved illustration work.
Develop confidence using a variety of techniques and materials
Gain a broader understanding of illustration as a creative practice
Successful research ideas and interpret briefs
Create imagery that communicates clearly and imaginatively
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous illustration experience is necessary, just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to experiment.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This is a live online course. You will need: Internet connection A computer or tablet with a microphone and camera and headphones or speakers We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts. There will be group discussions, individual tutorials, lectures, demonstrations and practical activities in a supportive and friendly atmosphere. Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need a basic kit of art materials that could include: Pens, pencils, paint, ink, white, coloured and tracing paper. We will provide suggestions for additional materials you might like to obtain for the course, but these are not mandatory.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may wish to explore the Developing Illustration Techniques course which is an online, practical course and will introduce you to wide range of key sectors within the world of illustration.
Please see our website for other Graphic Design and Illustration courses.
Rod Judkins is an artist and writer. He gained an MA at the Royal College of Art and has had numerous one man exhibitions across the world. He has also exhibited at Tate Britain, The National Portrait Gallery and The Royal Academy. He lectures on the subject of creativity at universities and to businesses around the world. His first book, Change Your Mind: 57 Ways to Unlock Your Creative Self and his second book, The Art of Creative Thinking, were international best sellers, with sales in hundreds of thousands and have been translated into over fifteen languages. He has delivered creative thinking workshops and talks to some of the worlds top companies such as Apple, Google, Bombay Sapphire and Samsung and to Medical Science students at University College London in The Royal Free Hospital for the last few years.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/exploring-illustration-techniques2651043Exploring illustration techniqueshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring_illustration_techniques_01.jpg459459GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Graphic design & illustration/Illustration/Courses/Art & design/Graphic design & illustration/Courses/Online courses228511321149116317311228511321163<p>Explore the creative possibilities of contemporary illustration through experimentation, image-making, and visual storytelling. This practical online course introduces a wide range of illustration techniques and processes, helping you build confidence, develop ideas, and discover your own visual language.</p>00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring_illustration_techniques_02.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring_illustration_techniques_03.jpg3068155Exploring illustration techniques459459https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/e/x/exploring_illustration_techniques_01_2.jpgInStockEveningThuOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-21T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Art & designVO144459459Exploring illustration techniques367298459Rod Judkinsexploring-illustration-techniques/vo144-2627<p>Explore the creative possibilities of contemporary illustration through experimentation, image-making, and visual storytelling. This practical online course introduces a wide range of illustration techniques and processes, helping you build confidence, develop ideas, and discover your own visual language.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-21 00:00:00<p>Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced students wanting to refresh their practice, the course focuses on how illustrators think, experiment, and communicate through images. You will explore both traditional and contemporary approaches, working with drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, mixed media, hand-drawn typography, and experimental image-making techniques.</p><p>Explore the creative possibilities of contemporary illustration through experimentation, image-making, and visual storytelling. This practical online course introduces a wide range of illustration techniques and processes, helping you build confidence, develop ideas, and discover your own visual language.</p><p>Through weekly projects, you will investigate atmosphere, colour, composition, mark-making, figure drawing, visual storytelling, and illustrated book design. You will learn how illustrators use materials, symbols, texture, and layout to create mood, meaning, and narrative. Projects encourage playful experimentation alongside practical problem-solving, helping you respond creatively to illustration briefs while developing a more individual style.<br>Each session includes illustrated talks, demonstrations, practical exercises, group discussion, and individual feedback in a supportive and friendly online environment. You will also explore the work of contemporary illustrators and gain insight into different creative approaches across the field.<br> </p><ul><li>Build a portfolio of experimental and resolved illustration work.</li><li>Develop confidence using a variety of techniques and materials</li><li>Gain a broader understanding of illustration as a creative practice</li><li>Successful research ideas and interpret briefs</li><li>Create imagery that communicates clearly and imaginatively<br> </li></ul><p>No previous illustration experience is necessary, just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to experiment.</p><p>This is a live online course.<br>You will need:<br>Internet connection<br>A computer or tablet with a microphone and camera and headphones or speakers<br>We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.<br>There will be group discussions, individual tutorials, lectures, demonstrations and practical activities in a supportive and friendly atmosphere.<br>Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.<br> </p><p>You will need a basic kit of art materials that could include:<br>Pens, pencils, paint, ink, white, coloured and tracing paper. We will provide suggestions for additional materials you might like to obtain for the course, but these are not mandatory.<br> </p><p>You may wish to explore the <strong><em>Developing Illustration Techniques</em></strong> course which is an online, practical course and will introduce you to wide range of key sectors within the world of illustration.</p><p>Please see our website for other Graphic Design and Illustration courses.</p>Graphic design & illustrationIllustrationvirtual367459298VO144NONEThu21/01/27 - 25/03/2718:30 - 21:3018:3021:3010 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineRod JudkinsBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-21T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Art & design459459Exploring illustration techniquesexploring-illustration-techniques/vo144-2627<p>Explore the creative possibilities of contemporary illustration through experimentation, image-making, and visual storytelling. This practical online course introduces a wide range of illustration techniques and processes, helping you build confidence, develop ideas, and discover your own visual language.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-21 00:00:00<p>Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced students wanting to refresh their practice, the course focuses on how illustrators think, experiment, and communicate through images. You will explore both traditional and contemporary approaches, working with drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, mixed media, hand-drawn typography, and experimental image-making techniques.</p><p>Explore the creative possibilities of contemporary illustration through experimentation, image-making, and visual storytelling. This practical online course introduces a wide range of illustration techniques and processes, helping you build confidence, develop ideas, and discover your own visual language.</p><p>Through weekly projects, you will investigate atmosphere, colour, composition, mark-making, figure drawing, visual storytelling, and illustrated book design. You will learn how illustrators use materials, symbols, texture, and layout to create mood, meaning, and narrative. Projects encourage playful experimentation alongside practical problem-solving, helping you respond creatively to illustration briefs while developing a more individual style.<br>Each session includes illustrated talks, demonstrations, practical exercises, group discussion, and individual feedback in a supportive and friendly online environment. You will also explore the work of contemporary illustrators and gain insight into different creative approaches across the field.<br> </p><ul><li>Build a portfolio of experimental and resolved illustration work.</li><li>Develop confidence using a variety of techniques and materials</li><li>Gain a broader understanding of illustration as a creative practice</li><li>Successful research ideas and interpret briefs</li><li>Create imagery that communicates clearly and imaginatively<br> </li></ul><p>No previous illustration experience is necessary, just curiosity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to experiment.</p><p>This is a live online course.<br>You will need:<br>Internet connection<br>A computer or tablet with a microphone and camera and headphones or speakers<br>We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.<br>There will be group discussions, individual tutorials, lectures, demonstrations and practical activities in a supportive and friendly atmosphere.<br>Self-reflection is an important part of learning in art education and creative practice. You will be encouraged to engage with reflecting on your own work and progress as part of the learning process in Visual Arts.<br> </p><p>You will need a basic kit of art materials that could include:<br>Pens, pencils, paint, ink, white, coloured and tracing paper. We will provide suggestions for additional materials you might like to obtain for the course, but these are not mandatory.<br> </p><p>You may wish to explore the <strong><em>Developing Illustration Techniques</em></strong> course which is an online, practical course and will introduce you to wide range of key sectors within the world of illustration.</p><p>Please see our website for other Graphic Design and Illustration courses.</p>Graphic design & illustrationIllustrationconfigurable
