Course Code EC2302023
Tutor Rachael Ball
Course Dates Thursdays, 11th January - 28th March 2024
Days 11
Times 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Experience Level Ages 18+, All Levels
Fee £350
Location Art Academy London, 165A Mermaid Court, SE1 1HR
Recommend booking before Wednesday 20th December 2023

In this exciting course you’ll be able to combine both writing and illustrating to create your own engaging children’s picture book.

In the first five weeks of the course 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

In the second half of the course you will:
– 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.

DOWNLOAD DAILY BREAKDOWN

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.

  • Beginner

    Choose a Beginners course if you are looking for a broad introduction to the medium you are studying. Students spend time learning the very basics of the taught medium, for example, how to mix colours, use different tools, set up an easel. Our Beginner courses are suitable for students with no prior experience, they tend to follow a more structured path than our other courses, ensuring each student receives the guidance they need from the tutor.

  • 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, but still follow a structured path with guidance from the tutor.

  • 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.

    These courses tend to be less structured and instead are tailored to the classes’ needs and the direction they want to advance in. Choose an Intermediate course if you are looking to improve your skills and have more critical discussions around the work you produce.

  • 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.

     Our Advanced courses include our Masterclasses.

All attendees must be aged 18 or over.

Students must provide their own drawing materials. You will need to bring to your first lesson

  • 2B pencils
  • Eraser
  • any favourite drawing pens
  • A3 sketch pad, notebook
  • A3 portfolio with plastic sleeves.

Your tutor will advise you directly what to bring in subsequent weeks. Examples of previously attempted work is useful but not essential.                           

RACHEL BALL

Rachael Ball is a cartoonist and cartoon workshop teacher with 16 years of Art teaching experience in secondary schools. She teaches a ‘How to write, develop and Illustrate Children’s Books’ course at the Art A Her first graphiccademy ‘Graphic Novel Your Life’ master classes at the House of Illustration and Children’s cartoon workshops at the Cartoon Museum. Her graphic novel, ‘The Inflatable Woman’, was published in 2015 by Bloomsbury. It is a semi-autobiographical and surreal take on her experiences with breast cancer. It was listed as a Guardian Best Graphic Novel of 2015 and one of Paul Gravett’s Top 10 British Graphic Novels for 2015. Previously, her work appeared in cult 90’s comic ‘Deadline’, and she has also illustrated for various publications. She is currently working on her second graphic novel, ‘Wolf ‘ (Self Made Hero, 2018), a satire on her experience teaching in Secondary schools, ‘The Patsy Papers’ and a fairy tale for children ‘Shadows.’

She also co-ordinates the London branch of ‘Laydeez do Comics’, which promotes women in comics.

WEBSITE

www.rachaelball.tumblr.com

Mermaid Court

165A Borough High Street
London SE1 1HR
tel: +44 (0) 207407 6969

Nearest Tube/ Rail: London Bridge or Borough (both a 5 minute walk).

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

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Students are welcome to use our Common Room/ The Barn during break times, where you can prepare hot drinks and/or food.

You are also welcome to make tea or coffee.

  • 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.
  • 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 the course or it will be disposed of.
  • Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off or is on silentduring the class.
  • Health and Safety Guidelines will be provided to you at the beginning of your class.
  • Sometimes our photographer will pop in to get some of our classes in progress. If you would like to not be photographed please let the photographer know!
  • To find out more about what’s going on at the Academy follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. If you’d like to share images of your course, your progress or your finished work we’d love to see them! Please bear in mind you must have the permission of tutors, other students and models to photograph them.
  • If you would like more information or advice on courses at the Academy please contact shortcourses@artacademy.org.uk.
  • Children's Book

Image / Rachael Ball

£350.00

Places Available!

Fee: £350.00

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