Illustrating Workshops for adults, beginners and emerging

Quirk it up!

Sometimes when we have established a certain illustrating style we can feel caught in a rut after a while. This workshop is aimed at aspiring but also any illustrators who would like to "quirk things up" a little. I will show how participants can add certain quirky elements to their work by demonstrating some of my own techniques and giving insight to my European background, group exercises and the final creation of their very own quirky character.

Participants will
- gain insight into my techniques and material
- learn ways to loosen their own style
- learn about European kidlit art- create a quirky character together in a group

Quirky Illustrations Workshop for Children

Create Your Own Worst Pirate

A 60 minute illustrating workshop aimed at children aged 5-10.

We will read “The World’s Worst Pirate” together. If I can get some brave volunteers, I will let the children act out parts of what is been read aloud (otherwise I will just read the story to them).

Then I will show the children my usual illustrating process (How do I come up with characters and develop them? What are the usual attributes of pirates? Brainstorming together and showing how these attributes can be drawn. Storyboarding, sketching) and then introduce the children to some of my techniques that have been used in the book (watercolour/ coloured pencils for characters – splatters, salt crystals for background).

Inspired by this, the children will lastly come up with their own quirky pirate characters and put them to paper with my help.

There is also the alternative or additional option (depending on children’s age and time at disposal) to craft little cupcakes (as they appear in the book) and a cardboard pirate character (instead of drawing on paper).

Material to bring for the children (optional): Pen and sketchbook (for developing their pirate character)