2023Online intensive course: Planning a Non-Fiction Picture Book
Online intensive course for adults
28 April to 26 May 2023
Fridays, 10:00 – 14:30
This in-depth intermediate level course will support you to create your non-fiction book, with guidance from award-winning illustrator Owen Davey. You will learn how to research effectively and plan your pages, while developing your unique way of creating images. You will get valuable insight into how to take your book to the next level by presenting it to publishers.
Our small class size of no more than 16 students will ensure that you receive personalised feedback from Owen in a relaxed and friendly learning environment. By the end of five weeks, you will have a plan for your book, some finished spreads and the knowledge you need to take it forward.
About Owen
Owen Davey(opens in new window) is an award-winning illustrator who has worked with clients including Lego, WWF and National Geographic. He is the lead illustrator on the award-winning app Two Dots. His picture books have been published in over 17 languages. His Fanatical About Frogs book was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards and longlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal in 2020.
What our students say
“Owen was generous with the details about his process. I loved seeing his work and the work of others he admires. I also appreciated hearing about how he connected with his clients and agents.”
“A worthwhile investment”
“Owen gave valuable thought provoking feedback which challenged me to improve and develop.”
“A good balance between lecture-style content, feedback and time to work on our own projects with Owen there as a guide”
“I've made quite a big leap forward in understanding where I am going!”
Online classes take place each Friday from 10:00 – 14:30 (BST) from 28 April to 26 May 2023.
If you are not UK-based you can use this time zone convertor(opens in new window) to check your local time.
Between classes we recommend allowing a minimum four hours per week for project work.
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.
This is an intermediate level course suitable for people who have some experience of making illustrations, but this does not need to have been professionally! The course will take you through all the steps you need to take to plan a non-fiction book. It will support those new to non-fiction books, while inspiring and challenging those with more experience.
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’ll need a pencil you’re comfortable sketching with (e.g. HB/2B), sketching or cartridge paper, eraser, and whatever medium you’d like to work in to create final artworks. We anticipate you may be using watercolours, collage, digital…or something else entirely!
Online classes take place live on Zoom and include real-time exercises, tutorials, demonstrations, group discussion and feedback.
A half hour lunch break is scheduled during each class.
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 information and a research task one week 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 sent course information to a different address learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
The course requires homework between sessions for which you should allow a minimum of four hours per week.
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 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 to 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.
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2023Online intensive course: Planning a Non-Fiction Picture Book
Online 28 April to 26 May 2023 Fridays, 10:00 – 14:00