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Pathways Plus

Short book illustration course for aspiring illustrators.

Improve your skills and learn how to create great children’s books.

About Pathways Plus

Pathways Plus offers a series of one-day masterclasses and two-day short courses for anyone who wants to illustrate children’s books.

Sessions are delivered by successful published children’s author-illustrators alongside editors and art directors from major UK publishers. So you can learn new techniques and approaches, and hone your storytelling skills, while making connections in children’s publishing.

All classes and courses include practical exercises and interaction, creative guidance and critical feedback, professional insights and advice.

Pathways Plus classes and courses are ideal for undergraduates or graduates looking to learn more about the industry. But they’re equally accessible to beginners.

Sessions are live and online, with no more than 35 people per class, so interaction and feedback is guaranteed. You can also choose to pay one-off or in instalments.

Email pathways@pop-up.org.uk if you have any questions.

Our courses

Masterclass

Masterclass : Working with Colour

In this one-day Masterclass, you will learn about colour theory and how to utilise colour effectively to create bold and eye-catching illustrations. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module Two.

£90.00
Masterclass

Masterclass : Hand lettering & Typography

In this one-day Masterclass, you will gain insight into the process behind font choices and typography within children’s literature. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module Two.

£90.00
Masterclass

Masterclass : Cover Illustration

This one-day Masterclass will explore a range of considerations from image selection to hand-lettering, and also give an insight into the differences between fiction and non-fiction book covers. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module Two.

£90.00
Short Course

Short Course : Creating Visual Sequences with Characters

Having worked together for nearly 20 years, children’s book illustrator Viviane Schwarz and Ben Norland, Executive Art Director at Walker Books, now share their unique insights into making a bestselling picture book. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module One.

£170.00
Short Course

Short Course : Making Sequential Narratives

In this two-day Short Course, you will explore the world of storybuilding, learning about plotting, storyboarding, framing and page turns. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module Two.

£170.00
Short Course

Short Course : Illustrating Place and Atmosphere

In this two-day Short Course with award-winning author and illustrator, Benji Davies, and David McDougall,Creative Director at Simon & Schuster you will learn about creating story worlds that come to life on the pages of bestselling picture books. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module Two.

£170.00
Masterclass

Masterclass : Picture Books

In this day-long course, Yasmeen Ismail and Louise Jackson will introduce themselves, providing an overview of their work, their professional backgrounds, their working relationship together, and their experience of working collaboratively in producing a picture book.

£90.00
Masterclass

Masterclass : Comics & Graphic Novels

With an emerging market in middle grade comics, and the YA (young adult) crossover appeal of many graphic novels, the reach and potential of comics in children’s literature has never been greater.

£90.00
Masterclass

Masterclass : Illustrated Fiction

Illustrated chapter books and novels support young readers’ imaginations, illuminating characters and their personalities as well as creating a sense of place and atmosphere.

£90.00
Masterclass

Masterclass : Illustrating People

Learn from Jane Buckley and Sara Ogilvie about using observational drawing of body language and facial expressions to create authentic characters and scenes with humor and empathy, and the importance of sketching when producing these drawings. You will explore how to provide context when drawing from observation, and how to bridge drawing from observation into illustrative narrative. Finally, you will discover how characters are created from the perspective of both an illustrator and art director.
Masterclass

Masterclass : Illustrating Animals

During this Masterclass, you will learn how to add character and personality to your animals with author and illustrator, Jan Fearnley and Jane Buckley, Senior Art Director at Simon & Schuster. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module One.
Masterclass

Masterclass : Bringing Characters to Life

In this one-day masterclass with Selom Sunu and Chanté Timothy, you’ll explore character case studies, and use practical exercises to transform your sketched character concept into a believable character through movement, gesture and interaction. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module One.
Masterclass

Masterclass : Working with Writers

In this one-day Masterclass, you will master the art of illustrating other people’s writing by exploring the processes involved in illustrating picture book texts – working both collaboratively and at-a-distance with writers. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module Two.
Masterclass

Short Course : Developing Concepts into Stories

In this one-day Masterclass, you will learn how to take your initial concepts, characters and ideas and develop them into picture book stories. This course can be taken individually or as part of Module Two.

Acclaim for Pathways Plus courses

This was definitely the best, and most inspiring course that I have participated in over the years!

Having that author/illustrator and art director insight was the best thing.

A great opportunity for networking and exchange of ideas.

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