Children's Book Illustration

Adult Class | Registration opens Monday, October 20, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

All levels welcome.
1/5/2026-3/9/2026
10:00 AM-1:00 PM EDT on Mon
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$275.00
$250.00
$20.00

Children's Book Illustration

Adult Class | Registration opens Monday, October 20, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

Do you remember your favorite book to read as a child? Do you remember how reading it made you feel? Here is an opportunity to recreate that nostalgic feel by developing your own children's book illustration portfolio. The overall aim of this class is to teach you how to create compelling, narrative-focused artwork geared toward a young audience while also providing an understanding of storytelling, character, and environmental design.

Students are encouraged to utilize any medium for their projects, including digital tools like an iPad or digital drawing tablet. Each class will focus on an aspect of children's illustration or a demonstration, followed by independent time to develop work. There will be time during the class and specific days designated for group sharing and critique. Note: This class will not teach traditional art techniques, though it will include a digital demo.

Students have the option of either creating a 13-page picture book dummy or 4-6 portfolio pieces as their final project. This course will allow you to dive deep into your creative pool and provide a step-by-step guide on learning how to compose an illustrated children’s book, so join me as we explore the depths of our inner child together!

What you will learn:
1. How to create a compelling narrative
2. Character and environmental design
3. How color and texture can communicate emotion on a page
4. Book drafting and composition
5. Learn the difference between Independent publishing and traditional publishing

Please note: Class will not meet on Monday, January 19 and Monday, February 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents' Days.

  • For all students/necessary for first class:
    • 14 x 17 or 11 x 17 spiral bound sketchbook
    • Graphite art pencils / sketch pencils
    • Erasers (Like Staedler brand, Magic Rub, or Gum Eraser)
    • Some of your favorite children's books

    After the first class, supplies will depend on the student's preference for illustrating. Students are welcome to use acrylic, gouache, watercolor, collage, digital drawing, or any other medium.

    For students using traditional media:
    • Layout paper
    • Colored pencils, acrylic, gouache, or watercolor (student's preference)
    • Binder clips
    • Low tack masking tape or washi tape
    • Plastic/reusable paint palette
    • A range of liner, flat, and round paint brushes, if painting
    • Mod Podge, foam brushes, scissors, and collage materials, if collaging

    For students using digital media:
    • 11 x 17 80 lb white paper (like Neenah® Creative Collection™ Inkjet Or Laser Paper, Solar White, or comparable brand)
    • There is a limited number of iPads with Apple pencils available to use. If you have one of your own that you'd prefer to use or a Wacom drawing tablet, please bring it.

    * Please be prepared to have final illustrations printed on 11 x 17 paper by the last day of class, either at Fleisher's digital lab or at a local print shop. If this is an issue, please contact me.
Cindy Lozito