The Visual Hook, Storytelling with Composition with Jen Betton
Mar 11, 2026
Online event
Composition is the foundation of visual storytelling. Composition helps us identify with the protagonist, emphasizes the focus, draws us in, creates drama, and provides information. Where should the viewer look first? What emotion does the image need to convey? How do compositions affect pacing? We will discuss taking flat compositions and adding excitement, matching the viewpoint and focus to the story, as well as key compositions to include in a portfolio. Examples will be shown from animation, comics and illustration. Suitable for beginners or advanced students, as well as writers who would like to understand the visual components of storytelling. Will include short exercise (so bring a pens/pencils and paper!).
Jen Betton began her illustration career in kindergarten when she got into trouble for drawing outside the lines. She now enjoys both composing the lines herself and painting all over them. She wrote and illustrated the picture book HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG, published with Putnam (winner of Pennsylvania's Keystone to Reading Book Award) and illustrated TWILIGHT CHANT, written by Holly Thompson, published with Clarion (a NCTE Notable Book) and BARN AT NIGHT, written by Michelle Houts and published with Feeding Minds Press.
She has a BA in English from Grove City College, a BFA in Painting from the University of Central Florida, and an MFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. She also taught illustration and animation as an art professor for many years.
Her awards include third place and honorable mention in Children's Market in the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, a SCBWI national mentorship award, and the portfolio grand prize at New England's SCBWI conference.
Jen currently lives in the greater Dallas area, chasing her munchkins and making books. You can see more of her work on her website, www.jenbetton.com, as well as on Instagram @jenbetton.