Developing an Illustration Practice
1 July – 19 August 2026
This new, in person course at offers you the opportunity to start, refine and expand an illustration practise.
You will focus on both creative and commercial skills, guided by artist and illustrator Lily Kong, who creates experimental and joyful illustration work alongside a range of commercial projects, with clients such as Hermes, Montblanc and Tate.
Lily will help you explore different ways of working that you can explore as part of illustration, the value of experimentation and play, how to refine your own unique creative voice, and ways you can build a regular creative practise into your day-to-day life.
As part of a supportive creative cohort, you will also learn about the illustration industry, including areas of industry you might wish to focus your work towards, how to understand and respond to a client brief, and how to set yourself personal projects to expand your practise, challenge yourself and as a starting point for building a portfolio of work.
Whether you are new to illustration, an illustration enthusiast, a former illustrator looking to reignite a creative practise, or a working illustrator wanting to further their career through structured learning in an enriching and supportive creative environment, this course will support you in growing or rebuilding your confidence in your creative skills and industry knowledge.
Lily Kong is an artist and illustrator from Hong Kong, now living in London. Her work is a heartfelt exploration of nostalgia, joy, and the emotions that connect us. She hopes to spark joy and bring people back to those familiar, comforting moments that make us smile and feel at peace. She has previously collaborated with clients including Hermès, Montblanc, Tate, and has taught in Graphic Communication Design at Central Saint Martins, UAL. Find Lily online at www.lilykong.co.uk(opens in new window) and @lilykongyuet(opens in new window)
Session 1 - Wednesday 1st July, 5-7PM
Session 2 - Wednesday 8th July, 5-7PM
Session 3 - Wednesday 15th July, 5-7PM
Two week break
Session 4 - Wednesday 5th August, 5-7PM
Session 5 - Wednesday 12th August, 5-7PM
Session 6 - Wednesday 19th August, 5-7PM
Week 1 - An introduction to illustration, and what illustration can be.
Week 2 - Forming creative habits, and how to find your voice as an illustrator.
Week 3 - What is storytelling, and how to explore the relationships between illustration and text.
Week 4 - How to approach a commercial client.
Week 5 - Breaking creative blocks and creating your own research methods.
Week 6 - How to create an illustration career and build a portfolio.
By the end of the course, you will have trialled different ways of exploring illustration, grown in confidence in applying illustration skills, have developed tools for when you feel creatively stuck, and considered what your next steps might be to continue to grow and expand your practice from a creative and commercial point of view.
There will be after-class tasks for course participants to complete every week. Participants are encouraged to complete the tasks as much as possible.
Access to basic materials will be available as part of the course but we recommend also bringing along a sketchbook and drawing materials of your choice. These can be pencils, markers, watercolour, or ink for example.
If you are interested to work digitally, you are also welcome to bring an iPad or drawing tablet, though it is not necessary.
We want our events to be inclusive and accessible. If you have any accessibility requests or questions, please email events@qbcentre.org.uk. Ahead of your visit, you can find out more about Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration’s facilities and accessibility: Access at the Centre. (opens in new window)
