Illustrating Children’s Books (Follow On Course)

Tutored by John Byrne

The Illustrating Children's Books (Follow on Course) is for students who have previously completed the Illustrating Children's Books Diploma.

This extension course is intended for aspiring children’s illustrators who wish to write and illustrate their own picture book and/or approach publishers with a view to gaining commissions to illustrate children’s books of all descriptions including, longer books for older children, non-fiction books and poetry books.

It contains sections on acquiring or writing one’s own story, creating whole book storyboards, dummy books and artwork production. There is also a section on portfolio building and approaching publishers. The option of self-publishing is also discussed. It ends with general advice on the business of illustration, useful websites and societies that an aspiring illustrator can join to further their understanding of the business and meet other illustrators.

There are only 50 pages of printed notes with the course. The value of the course is in the interaction with John and the support in developing your own dummy book.

The course is typically designed to be completed in approximately one year, though the college offers a maximum two-year timeframe for students to finish their studies.