Book Illustration

18 Sep – 4 Dec | 6.30 – 8.30 pm | Tutor Sophie Martin | £126 (10 weeks)

This course will give you the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of book illustration. You will be encouraged to think visually and experiment with different illustration techniques in a fun and supportive environment.

This course runs in the autumn term 2019 and is repeated in the spring term 2020.

Important Information
Please note there are no classes on the following dates:
Autumn term: 21 to 25 October & 11 to 17 November 2019
Spring term: 17-21 February 2020

What will the course or workshop cover and how will it be taught?

Through a series of short and longer activities, we will explore character design, storyboarding and the interplay of text and imagery in visual narratives. There will also be an opportunity towards the end of the course to work on creating digital print-ready versions of the illustration work students have produced using Adobe Photoshop and In Design programmes and scanning and printing equipment within the new digital facilities on site.

The class is aimed at both new and continuing students and the content will be flexible as we go along to fit with the needs of the particular students attending. No specific illustration experience is necessary but some prior drawing experience would be beneficial and an interest in the creative and imaginative is a must!

Course content:

• Communicating visually using different media
• Interplay of text and imagery
• Character design
• Page layout and composition
• Using storyboarding to develop and pace a narrative
• How to approach a brief
• Researching and sketching ideas
• Working from an initial idea to a finished artwork
• Creating digital print-ready versions of illustration work

This is a practical course and participants will be working as a class in some tutor-led activities as well as plenty of independent working time with tutor guidance and feedback when desired. There will also be some class sharing of ideas and inspirations and informal group critiquing of work to help each other in developing ideas.

By the end of the course/workshop you will:

• Develop visual communication skills
• Explore the relationship between illustration and text
• Have an understanding of composition and layout of pages
• Be able to use a storyboard to break down a narrative
• Experiment with a range of relevant media
• Generate ideas in response to a given brief
• Experiment with character design and development
• Have an understanding of composition and layout of pages
• Create at least 1 illustrated narrative from start to finish and produce a digital version of it

What do I need to bring with me?

Please bring any particular drawing pens and pencils you may want to use and a sketchbook if you like although paper and art materials will be provided for all the class activities.

Are there any additional costs?

£5 per person for materials.

About the tutor 

Sophie Martin is a local artist, illustrator and educator who specialises in lively pen and watercolour illustrations often drawn on location. She studied illustration at Edinburgh College of Art and has been working since as a freelance artist and illustrator undertaking numerous commissions and exhibiting locally and further afield as well as self-publishing a number of books. She has a PGCE in Post-compulsory education and has experience running creative workshops in many places including schools, colleges and for refugee groups in India and Nepal. You can see examples of her work on her website: www.sophiemartinillustration.co.uk