2023SOLD OUT: Developing Picture Books
Online course for adults
20 September to 29 November 2023
Wednesdays, 19:00 – 21:00 BST until end of October, then GMT
This course is now sold out. If you'd like to be notified when it runs again, email learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
Learn how to develop contemporary children’s picture books with market appeal with guidance from award-winning author and illustrator Claire Alexander.
On this intermediate-level course, you will build your written and illustrative portfolio in a friendly, supportive group environment.
Designed for anyone who has completed Introduction to Creating Picture Books, you’ll learn more about the book publishing market and create an action plan for submitting work to publishers and agents.
Practical sessions will help you to sharpen your story writing and editing skills, identify your own illustration style strengths and experiment with new painting techniques and colour palettes.
By the end of the course you will have developed your own compelling story, characters and storyboard ready to turn into a dummy book for submissions.
Our small class size of no more than 12 students will ensure that you receive personalised feedback and group support in a relaxed and friendly learning environment.
About Claire
Claire Alexander(opens in new window) is an award-winning author and illustrator with more than 15 years’ experience creating picture books and teaching. Her recent books include The Think-Ups! and the third book in the ‘Ploofer’ series A Little Bit of Respect. Recent collaborations include illustrations for Emma Perry’s Puddling, and Sean Taylor’s Humperdink Our Elephant Friend and The Snowbear.
What people say
“Claire was a very professional and engaging teacher. She gave honest feedback and real ways to improve our work while sharing knowledge about children's illustration that I had never heard before.”
“Well thought out and clear as well as enjoyable”
“Packed with content”
This course is now sold out. If you'd like to be notified when it runs again, email learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
Online classes take place each Wednesday from 19:00 – 21:00 (UK Time) from 20 September to 29 November. There is no class on Wednesday 25 October.
If you are not UK-based you can use this time zone converter(opens in new window) to check your local time. Please note that UK Time changes from BST to GMT at the end of October.
Full price: £425.00
Concessions: £340.00
Concessions are available for students, those on income-supporting benefits and early career illustrators (who have been practicing for under three years).
Disabled ticket holders can book a free ticket for their personal assistant or companion at the same time as their own full price or concessionary ticket.
Ticket bookings are subject to our terms and conditions.
Online classes take place live on Zoom and include real-time exercises, tutorials, demonstrations, group discussion and feedback.
Course materials, including recordings of sessions and galleries are uploaded to a shared Padlet. You can also use the Padlet to upload your work for feedback.
You will receive course information and resources two weeks before the course start date and login details the day before. This will be sent to the email address you used to make your booking. Please contact us if you would like us to send course information to a different addresslearning@qbcentre.org.uk.
The course requires homework between sessions for which you should allow a minimum of two to three hours per week.
This intermediate-level course is designed for anyone who has completed our Introduction to Creating Picture Books course with Claire Alexander.
If you have any questions about whether this course would be right for you, please contact us learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
Please note that this course is for attendees aged 18+ only.
You will need a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone and a stable internet connection. We use web platforms Zoom (opens in new window)and Padlet (opens in new window)to host sessions and share resources, but you do not need your own accounts to use them.
You may like to print out the resources.
- Writing pen
- Mark-making pens
- Ink pen
- 2B-6B pencils
- Coloured pencils
- Eraser
- Pencil sharpener
- A3 sketchpad
- A4 rough and smooth watercolour paper
- Sugar or blotting paper
- 4 envelopes with tickets from the introduction course
- Set of watercolour paints e.g. Winsor and Newton Cotman Watercolour pocket box of 12 half pans
- Minimum 4 tubes gouache paints (yellow, red, blue and white)
- Minimum 4 tubes acrylic paints (yellow, red, blue and white)
- 3 different sized watercolour brushes
- 3 different sized oil painting brushes for acrylic use (coarse haired)
- Large Tupperware box lid
- Household sponge
- Kitchen roll or rag
- Table and rock salt
- Jam jar for water
- Roll of masking tape
- Wooden board, e.g. chopping board
Our online events are held via video conferencing application Zoom with closed captioning enabled.
We record live classes. Recordings are uploaded the day after each class and are available until two weeks after the course finishes.
Disabled ticket holders can book a free ticket for their personal assistant or companion at the same time as their own full price or concessionary ticket via the booking link.
If you have any queries, or would like to discuss your access needs, please contact us at access@qbcentre.org.uk.
Ticket concessions are available for students, those on income-supporting benefits and early career illustrators (under three years’ practice).
We want everyone to be able to participate in our activities. Please email us if cost is a barrier and you would like to discuss payment options learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
If you would like to gift a place on this workshop to someone, we can send you an e-ticket for them by email.
How it works
Buy a ticket via the link above.
Forward your email booking confirmation to learning@qbcentre.org.uk, along with the name and email address of the person you will be gifting it to.
We will send you a personalised e-ticket by email within 4 working days.
You can choose to print the voucher or email it to your recipient.
Our frequently asked questions page has more information on our online courses.
Still have questions? Contact us learning@qbcentre.org.uk.