Tutor
Katie Brosnan
3 June – 8 July 2026, 6pm - 9pm Wednesday Evenings
£295.00
A creative six-week introduction to children’s picturebook illustration, exploring character, story and playful printmaking to begin your own picturebook project. The course is an introduction to children's book illustration for picturebook making. The aim of the course is to get your ideas started and create a storyboard plan with some artwork experimentation.
Week 1 - 17/06/26
Observational Drawing & Character Inspiration
Introduction to the course and examples of illustrated children’s books and my work.
Drawing from observation: sketch toys, found objects, or curiosities as character inspiration.
Trace monoprint drawing from the objects
Begin to develop one object or sketch into a character with personality and emotion.
Homework: Bring in more sketches of your chosen character in different poses and scenarios.
Week 2 – 24/06/26
From Character to story, scenarios, prompts and using memory
Warm-up: expressive character studies.
Explore “What if?” and character scenarios to spark story ideas.
Look at story structure. Picturebook format
Create a short visual sequence of 3–4 moments that show change or emotion.
Gelliplate for making textures to collage your character and scene
Homework - Further character exercises - getting to know your character
Week 3 – 01/07/26
Storyboard for picturebook format & dummy book beginnings
Explore picture book pacing and rhythm: how image and text interact. Being playful.
Plan out a 16 page rough picture book dummy with thumbnail sketches.
Experiment with page composition and flow.
Homework: Continue to work on rough storyboard and dummy plan.
Week 4 – 08/07/26
Developing artwork: print & mixed media
Create printed textures, backgrounds, or key imagery for spreads using monoprint.
Consider colour, contrast, and layering to support the story mood.
Begin translating one spread into a finished composition.
Outcome: One sample illustration.
Week 5 – 15/07/26
Working further on picturebook dummy and second artwork spread
Refine pacing, composition, and consistency across the dummy.
Continue printmaking or combine print with drawing, collage, or ink.
Tips for cover design.
Produce a second spread and cover artwork.
Peer feedback on sequencing and flow.
Outcome: Dummy book in progress + two developing spreads.
Week 6 – 22/07/26
Finishing touches & sharing work
Assemble dummy book with roughs and some sample artwork
Group sharing and informal critique — reflect on process and outcomes.
Discussion of next steps and approaches to publishers.
About the Tutor
Katie Brosnan is a children’s book illustrator, printmaker and educator whose work embraces playfulness and improvisation. Her visual language is influenced by joyful colour palettes, mid-century illustration and folk art. Katie holds an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art and a BA in Fine Art. She was shortlisted for the Royal Society’s Young People’s Book Prize, a UK winner of the international ‘Picture This!’ competition and highly commended in the Macmillan Prize for Illustration. Her illustration practice is rooted in markmaking, drawing and print, particularly monoprint and screen-print. She then uses digital processes to finalise artwork for children’s books. Alongside her own books and image-making, she teaches art and illustration in a college and community setting.
Leicester Print Workshop
Leicester Print Workshop is the regional development centre for printmaking. Established by artists in 1986, we are a registered charity, supported by Arts Council England. Our RIBA award-winning building is situated in Leicester City Centre's Cultural Quarter and is home to a large, well equipped open access Printmaking Studio.
We have over 30 years’ experience of teaching people printmaking. Our programme offers the largest number and broadest range of printmaking courses in the region, with courses suitable for beginners as well as experienced printmakers, delivered by practicing artists and nationally renowned tutors. Participants learn in small and friendly groups in our purpose-designed studio.
Bookings
Online: You can book online here by credit / debit card or Paypal.
Telephone: You can pay by card over the phone during our opening hours (Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm). Call us on 0116 251 4174.
In person: Call in to Leicester Print Workshop during our opening hours (Wednesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm) to book and pay by card, cash or cheque.
Pre-course information: We will send you details of how to find us and what to bring with you when we process your booking.
Concessions
Full-Print Members of Leicester Print Workshop are entitled to a 10% discount on our inhouse courses. Interested in joining LPW as a member? Click here for more information.