Intermediate Course: Developing Picture Books

Develop your Skills and Pave the Way for Your Creative Career!

Course Overview:

Join international award-winning author, illustrator and mentor Claire Alexander for a dynamic 10-week course where you’ll develop your storyboard and children’s illustration portfolio in a small, friendly group environment. Designed for intermediate-level students, this course offers a rare opportunity to receive personalised feedback on your work, directly from Claire, who brings over 20 years of experience in writing, illustrating and mentoring. Every lesson is taught live by Claire, ensuring you receive expert guidance tailored to your unique creativity. You'll feel supported and motivated to take your work to the next level!

Course Outcomes:

• Personal Feedback: Claire reviews each student’s work, offering individualised guidance to refine your story and illustrations
• Develop your Illustration Style: Explore your strengths to consolidate your unique style
• Build an Illustration Portfolio: Create relevant content week-by-week to spark interest from the commercial market
• Market Insight: Obtain guidance on marketing your work & create an action plan for submitting work to publishers & agents
• Improve Techniques: Experiment with gouache & acrylic painting techniques & sharpen your story writing & editing skills
• A Complete Storyboard: Complete your storyboard & learn how to create a coherent colour palette for your picture book
• Further Development: Gain many useful resources to start your picture book-making career & the opportunity to join one of Claire’s monthly mentor groups for continued accountability and support

How It Works:

• Live Classes: Interactive 2-hour sessions every Wednesday evening, with exercises, demos, and group discussions.
• Weekly Assignments: Complete homework tasks between 2-3 hours per week, with access to video lectures and printable handouts.
• Peer & Tutor Support: Share your work in a supportive online hub, receiving feedback from both peers and Claire.
• Recorded Lessons: All classes are recorded and available for two weeks after each session.

Who Should Enrol:

This course is for students who have completed Claire’s beginner's course: ‘An Introduction to Creating Picture Books’, (formally taught at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration), or a similar level course where you have roughed out a storyboard. If you do not already have an access code to book a place, please contact Claire by clicking on the 'Manage Tickets' bar to email her a brief overview of your experience in picture books so far, along with a link to your work. 

Course Content:

• Building & Organising a Portfolio
• Character Consistency, Proportion & Animation
• Exploring & Honing Your Illustration Style
• Colour Theory & Creating Coherent Colour Palettes
• Gouache & Acrylic Techniques
• Writing: Enhanced Storytelling & Exuberant Editing
• Compelling Compositions & Backgrounds
• Choosing Book Titles & Designing Covers
• Creating a Plan of Action, Marketing, Commissioning Process & Engaging Publishers & Agents
• Feedback will take place at regular intervals throughout the course
  

Materials Needed:

• Basic art supplies (Notebook, pencils, sketchpad, colour mediums of your choice, brushes, gouache and acrylic paints - only the following colours are needed: Red, blue, yellow, opaque or titanium white and black).
• A computer or tablet for Zoom meetings

Course Dates & Timings:

• When: Wednesday Evenings, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM GMT
• Duration: 23rd April 2025 - 2nd July 2025 (No class on the 28th of May).

Fees:

• £595 
• Please note: Fees are non-refundable. In the case of course cancellation, a refund will be given.

Testimonials:

“Claire’s course has covered all I needed to know about picture books, the industry and pushing my ideas forward. With small group numbers and generous individual feedback, I felt I could make progress and ended up with a storyboard and finished pieces I can be really proud of.” Rachael Bayliss

“I am a huge fan of Claire‘s picture book courses and mentoring groups. She has really helped me to develop my artwork and picture book ideas. She is always incredibly supportive whilst offering lots of constructive criticism and professional advice to keep you improving.” Lemady Rochard

“Claire is very knowledgeable and very generous with us as students by sharing her experience and knowledge. Each session I learnt a lot and went away with more things to think about for my own story. Claire spends time discussing students’ questions, which is very helpful.” Previous student

FAQ's

How many students will attend the course? Up to 12 people.

Can my children join in? The course is for 18-year-olds + only, one person per booking.

Can I join if I'm only interested in writing a picture book, not illustrating it? Learning about the considerations of an illustrator is important for a picture book writer, but this course contains lots of practical art techniques that may not be so interesting to a writer. However, Claire’s course, ‘An Introduction to Creating Picture Books’ (running in September) is suitable for those who just want to focus on how to write picture books. Alternatively, you can book a one-to-one mentor session or program with Claire.

Do you teach students how to draw on the course? Drawing techniques are not taught in this course. Some drawing skills are required for the illustrative parts of the course.

Do I have to use an iPad or computer to generate imagery digitally? No, plenty of illustrators in the industry still work on paper

Can I spread the fee payments? Places can only be booked here with a single payment.

Will you run the course again? The course will run once a year in April.