Design a Children’s Picture Book

COURSE CODE: EC2402023

COURSE DATES: Wednesdays, 22nd January – 26th March 2025

TUTOR: Rachael Ball

DAYS: 9

TIMES: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Ages 18+, All Levels

FEE: £380

LOCATION: Bankside Campus, 185 Park Street, SE1 9BL

In this exciting course you will be introduced to the creative and limitless world of children’s picture books. You will be able to combine both writing and illustrating to create your own engaging children’s picture book.

You will focus on:

  • Writing the first draft of your story
  • Developing a story arc
  • Designing your characters
  • Developing ideas for a page turning script and storyboard planning
  • Focus on developing and refining your visuals
  • Experimenting with colour pencil, watercolour and mixed media to find the best way to bring your story to life

By the end of the course, you will have a final set of illustrations, a storyboard, several page layouts and an individual action plan to help you turn your story plans into a finished sample for a publisher.

After completing this course we recommend signing up for our Digital Illustration courses.

Our tutor Rachael Ball is a published author and an experienced teacher. Her book ‘The Inflatable Woman’ was a Guardian Best Graphic Novel in 2015.

Recommend booking by: January 8, 2025

All Levels

All attendees must be aged 18 and over.

This course is suitable for all levels. Students can move at their own pace depending on their experience, with as much support from the Tutor as they wish. This means an student from the following experience levels can join this course:

Beginner

Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience.

Beginner +

Choose a Beginner + course if you are looking to hone your skills, focus on a specific subject area and build your confidence. These courses are suitable for those with some basic skills in and knowledge of the taught medium.

Intermediate

Our Intermediate courses are suitable for students who have considerable prior knowledge of the taught medium or have completed a Beginners/Beginners + course with the Art Academy.

Advanced

Choose our Advanced courses if you have considerable knowledge in the taught medium. You are expected to be able to work independently and have critical discussions around your work.

You will need to bring your own drawing materials to the class and these materials must be taken with you at the end of each session. If you do not have your own materials, we recommend you order the Pack, below, at the time of booking, which will be available when you arrive for your first class. There is also a mini shop in the Academy that supplies the basics such as pencils, sketchbooks, putty rubbers etc. (card purchases only).

Please also bring an apron or old clothing to wear.

    The Drawing Pack contains:
  • One set of lead pencils (2B, 4B, 6B)
  • One box of medium willow charcoal sticks (25 pieces)
  • One ​box ​of willow charcoal extra thick​ individual​ stick
  • One stick of chalk
  • One box of compressed charcoal sticks (12 pieces)
  • Six ​D​erwent pastel pencils, can be used wet or dry
  • One putty rubber​ in a box​
  • One eraser
  • O​n​e auto lock knife (pencil sharpener for Drawing in Museums)

      Please note that pack contents are subject to change at the discretion of the Academy at any time.

RACHAEL BALL 

Rachael Ball has been a cartoonist/ illustrator since 1988, an Art teacher from 2001- 2016. Since 2016 she has been running workshops on writing and illustrating unique stories for children and adults across London. Her first graphic novel, ‘The Inflatable Woman’ (published-Bloomsbury), was a Guardian Best Graphic Novel 2015 and was shortlisted for ‘The British Book Design and Production Award’ 2016. Her second book ‘ WOLF’ will be published by Self Made Hero in October 2018

Bankside Campus

185 Park Street,London SE1 9BL

tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969

This is our new purpose built accessible campus. Find more information here

Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Southwark (both a 10-15 minute walk).

Please note that London Bridge has two exits, the most direct route is to follow signs to “Borough Market”.

 

Students are welcome to use The Hub during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food. You must bring your own keep-cup, water bottle or food container to the Academy as mugs, glasses, and containers will not be available in our Bankside campus.

Tea and coffee will be provided by the Academy and is available from the island unit at the end of The Hub.

Terms and Conditions

  • By booking onto one of our courses you agree to our Short Courses Terms and Conditions.
  • You will need to have paid in full before the first session of your class. Your place is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. Please book early in order to guarantee your place on the course.

Materials & Equipment

  • If you purchased a pack online this will be given to you on the first session of your course upon your arrival. Packs can be booked on our Materials Page or on this page when you book the course
  • Please don’t wear your best clothes as there is always a chance you will get messy. If possible bring an apron or overalls.
  • All artwork at the Academy MUST be taken home at the end of each session where possible, with the exception of oil paintings and sculpture works.
  • We cannot store materials at the Academy, so please take these to and from your sessions.
  • Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silent during the class.
  • Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you a week before the start of your course.

Concessions and Discounts

We offer a number of concessions and discounts, please find more information on what we offer here.

Gift Vouchers

If you would like to purchase a gift voucher to be used on our courses then you can purchase these here.

£380.00

Racheal Ball, Mollie, Design a Children's Book

Image / Rachael Ball