The Illustration Masterclasses offered as part of the Brtitish Isles' Illustration Programme are specialised events designed for illustrators to enhance their skills and connect with the community. These masterclasses cover various topics related to children's book illustration and provide opportunities for skill sharing, critiques, and learning from industry professionals. They are part of a range of activities aimed at supporting illustrators at different stages of their careers.
Portfolio Reviews - 4th May 2024
Have a 30 minutes 1-1 with your chosen reviewer. You'll be able to submit your portfolio beforehand so they can have a proper chat with you on the day! Ness Wood - Art Director/Designer Debbie Bibo – Debbie Bibo Agency Amy Fitzgerald – Bright Agency This year we have confirmed Ness Wood, Debbie Bibo Agency, and Amy Fitzgerald for the Portfolio Reviews! Online event
Craft Class - 8th June 2024
'Telling Stories with words and pictures' In this masterclass, illustrators will work through some of the aspects of conceiving and developing stories that combine both words and pictures, whether for picture books or longer form illustrated texts. Discussing inspirations, meaning, message, and how different elements can contribute to a book overall, this will be an informal, friendly masterclass with conversation and tasks to help navigate the possibilities that combining words and pictures offers author/illustrators. No preparation needed. Pam Smy has illustrated picturebooks, folk tales, non-fiction, middle-grade fiction, story compendiums and educational texts; for authors such as John Agard, Penelope Lively, Julia Donaldson, Arthur Conan Doyle, Julia Green, Lucy Strange and Neil Gaiman. Pam now specialises in older fiction, writing and illustrating gothic ghost stories. She is currently working on projects for Walker Books and Bloomsbury, combining this with her role as Senior Lecturer Practitioner on the MA Children’s Book Illustration course at Cambridge School of Art. Online event - Keep an eye here, there's more information to come!
Art Director’s Brief - 12th October 2024
This year we have Maggie Li for our AD Brief! What if you had no idea about machines? What they are, what they can do. Join Maggie Li of OKIDO Magazine for this exciting illustration masterclass which explores the theme of machines for an age group who hasn't yet learned about them in school. As an extra bonus, Maggie will be giving feedback on your artwork on the day! Maggie Li and OKIDO Magazine have provided a fun brief inviting contributors to tackle the theme of Machines for an age group who haven't learned about them at school yet. The brief is in! The outcome should be fun and factual and can be addressed as a narrative story, an experiment, a game on paper that can include cut-outs, or a digital game or moving imagery. Online event - Keep an eye here, there's more information to come!