ILLUSTRATION INTENSIVE DETAILS
REGISTRATION DETAILS COMING SOON!
VISIT THIS HOTEL LIST FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
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ILLUSTRATION INTENSIVE Location: Savannah, GA
Dates: Friday, December 5 – Saturday, December 6, 2025
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 – “ART IN MOTION” KICKOFF
Venue: Blick Arts (318 E. Broughton St), then SCAD Jen Library (201 E. Broughton St.)
3:15 PM – 3:45PM Meet at BLICKS! A stop in visit to one of the biggest art stores you’ll see!
4:00 PM –5:00 PM Private Viewing: The Don Bluth Collection at SCAD Jen Library
Get up close with rare pieces from animation legend Don Bluth. Discussions will support the picture book making process by diving into how storytelling in visual imagery is brought to life.
- Storyboards
- Character Design Sheets
- Environment Background Paintings
5:00 PM – Evening Dinner & Savannah Sights
Enjoy dinner in the city with your friends and peers. Take in the charm and creativity of Savannah’s vibrant night scene.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 – “DEEP DIVES”
Venue: Bull Street Library 2002 Bull Street, Savannah, GA
Theme: Insight, Exploration & Practice
10:00 AM – 10:10 AM (AUDITORIUM) SCBWI WELCOME
10:10 AM – 10:40 AM (AUDITORIUM) Kelly Pelsue Presents: Deep Dive into industry insights and encouragement from a top literary agent. Kelly is a Children’s Illustration Agent, MorganGaynin.com
10:45 AM – Noon (AUDITORIUM) Business Panel Discussion with Q&A: Mike Wimmer and Kelly Pelsue
Serve on a morning panel discussion with other faculty about the Business in your area of expertise.
Noon – 1:30 PM Lunch Break: Explore local cafes…and we have a lot of them! Relax and refuel! (Faculty will dine in the boardroom, attendees will go out on the town)
1:45 PM – 3:45 PM Back at the Library! Choose-Your-Path: Afternoon Intensives & Paid Portfolio (7 slots will be available) Reviews with Kelly Pelsue
Deep-dive workshops—choose one option below: (FACULTY TBC)
- “Deep Dive: Designing Captivating Covers in the KidLit Market” with Mike Wimmer
- “Deep Dive: Crafting Compelling Graphic Novel Pages” with Rashad Doucet
- “Deep Dive: Using Storyboarding to Improve Story Pacing” with Jime Wimmer
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ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS AND FACULTY
ABOUT KELLY PELSUE, AGENT | MORGAN GAYNIN, INC.
Kelly Pelsue is an Illustration Agent and the Managing Director of Morgan Gaynin, an illustration agency focused on visual storytelling, specializing in publishing. Prior to joining Morgan Gaynin, Kelly served in a number of marketing and advertising roles across several advertising agencies as well as in a startup setting. She earned her BA in Journalism and Communication from The University of Wisconsin – Madison.
“Deep Dive: Designing Captivating Covers in the KidLit Market” with Mike Wimmer
Explore the art and strategy behind creating unforgettable book covers with Mike Wimmer, whose powerful imagery has defined numerous acclaimed publications. In this focused session, participants will closely examine how to conceptualize, design, and execute compelling cover art that resonates with today's picture book and YA covers.
ABOUT MIKE: Mike Wimmer is an award-winning illustrator celebrated for his richly detailed paintings and timeless storytelling. His artwork has appeared in acclaimed children's books, historical biographies, and gallery exhibitions nationwide. A longtime professor of art and illustration, Mike brings decades of professional experience across publishing, editorial, and fine art. His clients include the “big 5” publishers, corporations, and institutions, and his covers and interior illustrations have earned honors from the Society of Illustrators. With over 300 book covers throughout the decades, Mike will work with you on developing the cover that resonates with audiences.
“Deep Dive: Crafting Compelling Characters” with Rashad Doucet
In this dynamic, hands-on workshop, award-winning cartoonist Rashad Doucet will guide participants through the essential connection between storytelling and character design. Rashad will share tips and techniques on how a character’s narrative — their background, personality, and role — should directly influence their shape-language, costume choices, and overall design.
The session will include two interactive drawing exercises: First, participants will complete a fun character generation assignment prompt, focusing on quick-thinking and creative storytelling through design. Next, participants will refine their characters by working with simplified shapes to create body variety, distinct silhouettes, and strong visual identities.
ABOUT RASHAD: Rashad Doucet, an Eisner-winning cartoonist and professor of sequential art. He is renowned for his dynamic storytelling, vibrant character designs, and heartfelt narratives that often draw inspiration from his own life experiences. His works, including Art Club and Pax Samson, blend elements of manga, anime, and Western comics, creating engaging stories that resonate with a wide audience.
“Deep Dive: Using Storyboarding POV’s to Improve Story Pacing with Emotion” with Jime Wimmer
Discover the essential role in how storyboarding “point of view shots” play in shaping the rhythm and emotional arc of a narrative. In this hands-on workshop, Jime Wimmer will guide participants through the principles of a visualization exercise that leads into point of view shot analysis, visual pacing, and composition techniques that elevate storytelling. Whether working on a picture book, illustration or graphic novel, attendees will learn practical strategies to tighten narrative flow and enhance reader engagement.
ABOUT JIME: Jime Wimmer is an illustrator, author and former professor with experience in independent publishing. A former professor of illustration, storyboarding, and drawing, Jime now works full time as a professional artist. Her work focuses on character-driven narratives that balance emotion, clarity, and dynamic pacing. Her passion for story structure and visual composition brings a fresh, insightful approach to helping artists strengthen the storytelling power of their work.