May 20 @ 7:00 pm - May 22 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
Beginning illustrators can join children’s book author/illustrator Courtney Pippin-Mathur to talk about approaches to using different media (traditional and/or digital) in your illustrations with examples from classic and contemporary illustrators.
Special guest Aram Kim will join us the second day for ten tips about submitting work to an art director (traditional and/or digital) and Courtney will give a demo on her process in Procreate.
This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information.
- Tuesday, May 20 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Thursday, May 22 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
- Recordings available until June 30, 2025
From the Faculty:
“This mini is great for beginners as an intro to kidlit illustration. You’ll learn about the different tools that several contemporary and classic illustrators use to create art for picture books, chapter books, early readers, and graphic novels. On the second night we’ll learn a bit more about Procreate, which I used to illustrate two books. I’ll run through a few basic functions, as well as extra tips that I have found helpful. As a bonus, we will be joined by the wonderful Aram Kim, author/ illustrator and former art director at Macmillan. She will give 10 tips as you consider building your portfolio.” —Courtney Pippin-Mathur
Why This Workshop?
Knowing yourself, your subject, and your passions will help you decide which media (or combination of media) is best for your illustration projects.
In this two-night mini, beginning illustrators will learn how to play with all media types from pencil to paint to pixels, and find which one allows their current project to shine.
Beginning illustrators can join children’s book author/illustrator Courtney Pippin-Mathur to talk about illustrators’ different approaches to creating art for picture books (traditional or digital).
On day two, special guest Aram Kim will join us the with ten tips about submitting work to an art director (traditional and/or digital) and Courtney will share her favorite Procreate pointers for illustrators.
In addition, Aram and Courtney will open the session to questions from students.
During this two-night mini workshop, you’ll learn:
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What types of digital tools are available.
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Who uses what tools. (Current Illustrators and how they create.)
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Where you can purchase and learn more about digital tools.
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Why digital tools are so popular.
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How to use Procreate. Courtney will share live tips for illustrating with Procreate!
Please note: The demo will be presented on Courtney’s Apple products.
Feedback Expected
- None is included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
- On the second night, Aram and Courtney will respond to as many questions as they can at the close of the webinar.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are starting out as a picture book illustrator or author/illustrator, and are looking for beginning information about techniques and styles.
- You are considering illustrating a picture book for children, and want to learn about contemporary picture book artists and their techniques.
- You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop; minis are short sessions meant to engage and spark illustration ideas.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course.
IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE:
If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through June 30, 2025.
Please note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately. You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.
All Times are Eastern Time. Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Part One: Tuesday, May 20 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Illustrating a Picture Book: An Overview with Courtney Pippin Mathur
- View contemporary examples
- Understanding the process— from idea (or assignment) to finished product
- A guide for beginners to techniques with Courtney Pippin Mathur
- Traditional
- Digital
- Reflection: Consider your strengths and the project with Courtney Pippin Mathur
Part Two: Thursday, May 22 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Virtual Demo: From Pencil and Paint to Pixel with Courtney Pippin Mathur
- Begin with a draft, and take it through the Procreate process
- Bring your iPad and follow along in Procreate. You can also learn how to incorporate traditional line drawings and paintings in Procreate!
- Ten Tips for Submitting to an Art Director (tradition and/or digital) with Aram Kim
- Courtney will share her favorite Procreate pointers for illustrators.
- Q&A with Aram and Courtney
Please note: The demo will be presented on Courtney’s Apple products.
How It Impacts Kids
Illustrations bring stories to life. By infusing your style into techniques that can bring your art to kids, you can impact their relationships with stories and their lives.
Testimonials from Our Community
“[Courtney was] super prepared. Tons of examples from her own and others’ work. Transparent about her process.”
“The teacher is wonderful. Learned the difference between using traditional media and digital pros and cons of both. Wonderful.”
“Drawing on a tablet doesn’t need to be as daunting as it seems. I was really concerned before about the learning curve with a new program.”
Resources
- 3 Questions for Courtney Pippin-Mathur About Illustrator Inspiration
- Gather Podcast interview with Courtney Pippin-Mathur
- Steve Light Pen & Ink Drawing Demo
- The Weird, Wonderful Wandering Ways of Watercolor
- How to Craft a Picture Book Dummy
- #HFGather: Shadra Strickland and Pat Cummings Talk Color, Light and Process
Looking for an In-Person Experience?
Check out the Working Retreat: Picture Book Authors and Illustrators, November 10-13 at our Retreat Center.
