Get Started with Children's Book Illustration

How will I learn?

Through discussion and demonstrations and one-to-one tutoring you will undertake exercises and create finished illustrations. We will look at the relationship between layered messages, style and content, and will discuss each other's work.

How will my progress be monitored and assessed?

Your work will be reviewed by you and your tutor on a weekly basis. Your tutor will advise you on progress and provide verbal and written feedback.

Progression opportunities

You can progress onto arts courses in a choice of subjects. Your tutor will be able to advise.

What equipment or materials will I need to provide?

A sketch/note book (comfortable size), any medium suitable for illustration will be used (e.g. charcoal, ink, water colours, pastels, collage, tempera...) but not oils. Learners need to bring their own materials.

What other support is available?

Help with numeracy or literacy is available. ICT drop-in sessions are available during term time and are open to all learners. Additional support can be provided for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Learner Support Funding is available for equipment, childcare and travel to learners who qualify. For further details please ask when enrolling.

The topics covered include:

Artistic concepts: the essential 'building blocks' of the illustrated image such as line, shape and form, tone and light source, colour, warm and cold, texture and surface and atmosphere, movement & dynamics.

Children's book Illustrators: exploring aspects of the rich visual language and pictorial representation used by established illustrators, enabling you to explore styles, materials and ideas whilst you develop a personal illustration project.

How to interpreting texts visually: the course will lead you to explore visual idea development and image building and discovering the rich visual possibilities of the core themes found in texts, articles and stories.

Creating your own book of illustrations: you will use a range of materials and techniques to develop your own unique visual vocabulary.

How to illustrate Childrens books: expand your drawing skills and provide a framework for integrating illustration with other mixed media techniques.