Drawn to Story - Picturebook Beginnings

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.