Illustrating Animal Characters
2 March 2024
Online workshop for adults
2 March 2024
13:00 – 17:00 GMT
Join author and illustrator Claire Alexander online for an afternoon delving into the joyful world of picture books. By the end of the day you’ll have created your very own character with contemporary publishing appeal.
You’ll explore some successful characters from classic picture books and consider what exactly makes them interesting to everyone they need to appeal to: children, parents, carers, teachers and publishers.
You’ll learn how to write a character study based on an animal of your choice, then bring it to life in collage, creating a colour vignette with personality and charm.
This workshop is also a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into a successful picture book-maker’s own practice, finding out about Claire’s published projects and learning insightful tips on how to present your ideas to publishers.
Please note this workshop has been run before as ‘Create a Picture Book Character’
About Claire
Claire Alexander(opens in new window) is an award-winning author and illustrator with more than 20 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 about this workshop
“Claire Alexander was so enthusiastic and her feedback immensely helpful”
“Well structured, well delivered. I felt I made progress and created something worthwhile.”
"Excellent teaching pace and content with a blend of learning for all types of students."
“The whole process was highly enjoyable and Claire was a very pleasant, encouraging and engaging tutor.”
Online workshop that takes place on Saturday 2 March from 13:00 – 17:00 (UK time).
If you are not UK-based you can use this time zone converter(opens in new window) to check your local time.
Full price: £55.00
Concessions: £45.00
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(opens in new window).
This workshop is for people of all abilities. No previous experience of drawing or writing is necessary.
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.
A printer to print coloured pages, or a selection of coloured A4 paper
White A4 paper
Pen
2B pencil
Coloured pencils
Rubber
Pencil sharpener
Scissors
Glue stick
Blu-tac
Some images of an animal you would like to draw (you will receive more information on this a week before the workshop)
This workshop takes place during one afternoon live on Zoom and includes real-time exercises, tutorials, demonstrations, group discussion and feedback.
You will receive login details by email the day before your workshop. These will be sent to the email address you use to make your booking. Please contact us if you would like us to send joining information to a different address learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
Our online events are held via video conferencing application Zoom with closed captioning enabled.
We record live classes and make recordings available for two weeks.
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 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 a personalised 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 5-7 working days.
You can choose to print the voucher or email it to your recipient.
Our frequently asked questions page(opens in new window) has more information on our online courses.
Still have questions? Contact us learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
