Introduction to illustration
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
Course Code: VO198
Duration: 10 sessions (over 10 weeks)
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What is the course about?
You’ll be introduced to a broad view of illustration and learn processes and techniques to communicate ideas with imagery. In a friendly and supportive atmosphere, you will be guided through the process of answering a brief. You’ll learn a variety of methods to generate and communicate ideas visually. Both traditional and contemporary methods will be explained, such as drawing, painting, collage, cut-outs, assemblage, mixed media and digital. There will be demonstrations showing how to integrate text with image. Visual story telling, from illustrating books to graphic novels will be explored. By the end of the course you will be able to put together your personal portfolio and receive guidance on setting up as a commercial illustrator or applying to university.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
The course will cover every aspect of illustration, from classic illustration to contemporary, innovative techniques and approaches. You will be helped to express your personal vision and style through experimentation and the generation of ideas. You will develop your personal illustration style through mark-making, drawing, composition, and using colour for dramatic effect.
Illustrators often work from briefs in professional practice. You will be given briefs to analyse and generate ideas that meet the criteria. Projects will explore book covers, editorial illustration, postcards, flyer design, typography and many other areas.
You will also be introduced to a range of practical techniques and processes, including cut and paste, lettering, observational and experimental drawing, painting and collage. You’ll be shown how to research your subject creatively and develop ideas. There will be illustrated talks on contemporary illustrators to learn from their approaches. Through friendly and supportive critiques with your tutor and peers you’ll create your own personal visual style.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Confidently demonstrate a wide range of practical technqiues such as drawing, collage and mixed media
- Describe how you would interpret a brief
- Visually produce a narrative response to a brief
- Successfully develop ideas in response to a brief
- Articulate a broad understanding of the field fo illustration
- Contribute to group discussion about your own and colleagues work
- Select completed work to pull together into a personal portfolio
- Show an experimental approach to project work to develop an individualised style.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for beginners but also intermediate and advanced students who would like to refresh their approach. The work from this course could be used as part of a portfolio for professional practice or application to a degree course.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be group discussions, individual tutorials, lectures, demonstrations and practical activities in a supportive and friendly atmosphere.
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 and coloured paper
We will provide suggestions for additional materials you might like to obtain for the course, but these are not mandatory and we will be be able to work with what each individual has.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Have a browse of our array of illustration courses to develop your practice.
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.