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Children's Book Illustration Mentorship
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Children's Book Illustration Mentorship

his mentorship is designed to give both illustrators and author/illustrators an in-depth understanding of how they can approach the children's book publishing industry.

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The Ins and Outs of Children's Book Illustration

The Ins and Outs of Children's Book Illustration

This mentorship is designed to give both illustrators and author/illustrators an in-depth understanding of how they can approach the children's book publishing industry. The course will begin with a discussion on the differences between developing an original story for publication and developing a children's book specific portfolio before moving on to weekly assignments that build to either goal. Lecture discussions will consist of a mix of industry best practices in addition to developing the student's craft and style.

Registration Now Open
Only 5 seats left
Registration Period
Jul 17, 2024 - Oct 07, 2024
Course Start
Oct 02, 2024

Course Format

LIVE

Skills Level

Intermediate

Duration

8 Weeks

Q&A

Once a Week

Feedback

Individual Recordings

Lecture Type

Recorded Live Lectures
Assignment
Due each week. Expect to spend 8-12 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments.
PREREQUISITES
As the artistic aesthetic of children's illustration is more flexible than what is typically found in traditional concept art, there are no hard and fast technical limitations. However, students should be able to comfortably draw and paint in a style that is fitting for them or their project. Also, students interested in developing their own manuscript should have a working outline of the story ready to go, and students interested in illustration only should have in mind a pre-existing child-friendly story (like a fairy tale) to use for their illustrations.
MATERIALS
Students can work digitally or traditionally as long as they are able to upload a digital file of their work to the class page, and have the necessary equipment to view and participate in the online classes.

The more you know, the better.

- Teacher/Student Introductions
- Children's Publishing Introduction
- Picture Book Dummy Overview
- Illustration Portfolio Overview
- How to look for/create: Humor, Tension, Sweetness, etc

- Overview of the thumbnail process
- Emphasis of story and character to pacing
- Composition and Character Staging Principles

- Exploration of the editing process
- Refine story pacing
- Develop illustration contrast between story beats
- Focus on character staging and stortelling (Illustrators)

- Artistic cleanup process
- Exploration of presentation-ready rough artwork
- Continuation of character and composition

- Introduction to color in children's illustration
- Exploration of style alternatives
- Definition of style guidelines for student projects

- Work-in-class session
- Continue exploring color and style choices
- Real-time strategies for problem-solving specific student illustration questions and issues

- Presentation best-practices
- How to find an agent
- Submission standards overview
- Workflow process for creating a dummy

- High-level overview of publishing
- Individual student path recommendations
- Agent submission process feedback

Bringing out the best in talent

Art Director and Concept Artist
LECTURES BY Mauricio Abril
Course Start: Oct 02, 2024
Mauricio is a former scientist turned concept artist living and working in the Los Angeles area. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in Molecular Biology before studying Illustration and Entertainment Design at the Art Center College of Design.

Since then Mauricio has worked on a variety of projects in animation, film, video games, children's books, theme parks and more with notables clients such as the Walt Disney Company, Ubisoft, Games Workshop, Simon and Schuster, and more. He's also taught classes in illustration and concept art for the LA Academy of Figurative Art and Brainstorm.

When not working at work he can be found working at home on his own author/illustrator projects which include two well-received animatic short films, a successfully Kickstarter-funded children's book and a whole assortment of fun whimsical illustrations for the imagination. When not doing any of those he's probably thinking of pizza.

Instructor's Gallery

Concept Art
Concept Art
Concept Art

PRICING SCHEDULE

Even though our courses are the most affordable for the quality of education, these finance options allow you to focus on your goals instead of the barriers that keep you from reaching them.

3x Payments

$249.67

2x Payments

$374.50

Full payment

$749

Fall TERM REGISTRATION Now Open
Jul 17, 2024 - Oct 07, 2024
COURSE BEGINS on Oct 02, 2024
Children's Book Illustration Mentorship

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK

Receive personalized feedback on all assignments from the industry’s top professionals.


LIFETIME ACCESS

Enjoy lifetime access to the spectrum of course content, including lectures, live Q&As, and feedback sessions.


CERTIFICATION

Show off your Certification of Completion when you turn in 80% of course assignments.


FLEXIBLE LEARNING

Learn anywhere, anytime, and at your own pace with flexible, online course scheduling.


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