To become a children's book illustrator, you need skill, style, technique and a sense of how to tell a story through pictures. Learn how to develop an effective portfolio to promote your work. Understand the basics of developing your personal style, and review techniques and media. You also review the basics of book production from idea to publication.
Course Outline
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you should understand the process of creating illustrations for a traditional 32-page picture book, including how to:
- Create a book dummy with sufficient finished work to present to publisher
- Design characters and environments for a picture book
- Design appropriate imagery for double page spreads and spot illustrations
- Demonstrate advanced concept development skills
- Make appropriate media and publishing choices: traditional and digital
- Articulate your intentions and analyze whether or not objectives are met
What You Learn
- Principles of successful children's books
- Critiques
- Story arcs and pacing
- Visual details in service to building characters
- Character consistency
- Page design
- Sequencing
- Type choice and placement
- Double-page spreads
- Visual variety
- Visual perception
- Research skills
- Color roughs and samples
- Importance of covers
- Legal and practical aspects of publishing
How You Learn
- Hands-on exercises in class
- Group critiques
- Weekly homework assignments
- Final projects
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is intended for any student interested in the process of creating the art for picture books.
Learner Outcomes
Instructor Julie Downing example work of what you'll learn while taking Illustrating Children's Books.