Courses
I offer a range of specialised courses in writing and illustrating picture books, from beginner and development courses to my Superpowers course for professionals who want to enhance their portfolio and sharpen their marketing skills to get more work…
Write & Illustrate a Picture Book
17th September – 19th November 2025
ONLINE: Wednesday Evenings, 19.00 – 21.00 GMT
(Formally named ‘An Introduction to Creating Picture Books’)
On this friendly, highly structured 10-week adult beginners course, you will learn the essentials of creating children’s books for 0-6-year-olds, to appeal to the contemporary picture book market. I teach both writing and illustrating as the two disciplines are integral to picture books, but you may wish to specialise in either one.
During the course, you will:
- Gain an overview of the market & advice on getting published
- Learn how to create stories with convincing characters
- Experiment with a range of appropriate artistic mediums
- Explore narrative themes, structures & writing styles
- Learn how to storyboard your book with compelling layouts
- Learn how to make a dummy book to present to publishers
- Receive one to one & group feedback on your work
- Obtain advice and guidance on marketing your work
Testimonials
“The content and Claire’s delivery of the course is excellent. I have learnt so much and would strongly recommend this course to anyone who wants to improve their character design/interaction, storyboard and editing. Claire is exceptionally generous with her time and provides so much helpful feedback each week.” Fiona Dillon
“Claire walks you through the process of writing and illustrating a children’s book. Each step is clearly laid out. In live Zoom classes she goes over new material and gives feedback on work done. It’s an excellent way to gain more information about writing books.” Kim Goodling
“Claire’s course is a brilliant introduction and opportunity to tap into creating picture books. It covers so much from looking at existing successful picture books still in print today, to getting insights into writers and illustrators’ technniques, to going on to explore your own techniques as a student. It’s challenging, inspiring, insightful and overall a great taster of how this profession looks.” Natasha Piper
£595
Click below for full course details
Developing Picture Books
April – July 2026
ONLINE: Wednesday Evenings, 19.00 – 21.00 BST
Join my 10-week course to develop your storyboard and children’s illustration portfolio in a supportive, small-group setting. Designed for intermediate students, you’ll receive personalised feedback from me, drawing on 20+ years of award-winning experience. With live lessons and expert guidance, you’ll stay motivated and take your work to the next level!
You will gain:
- Personalised Feedback: I review each student’s work, offering individualised guidance to refine your story and illustrations
- Develop your Illustration Style: Explore your strengths to consolidate your unique style
- Build an Illustration Portfolio: Create relevant content week-by-week to spark interest from the commercial market
- Market Insight: Obtain guidance on marketing your work & create an action plan for submitting work to publishers & agents
- Improve Techniques: Experiment with gouache & acrylic painting techniques & sharpen your story writing & editing skills
- A Complete Storyboard: Complete your storyboard & learn how to create a coherent colour palette for your picture book
- Further Development: Gain many useful resources to start your picture book-making career & the opportunity to join one of Claire’s monthly mentor groups for continued accountability and support
Testimonials
“I am a huge fan of Claire‘s picture book courses and mentoring groups. She has really helped me to develop my artwork and picture book ideas. She is always incredibly supportive whilst offering lots of constructive criticism and professional advice to keep you improving.” Lemady Rochard
“Claire’s course has covered all I needed to know about picture books, the industry and pushing my ideas forward. With small group numbers and generous individual feedback, I felt I could make progress and ended up with a storyboard and finished pieces I can be really proud of.” Rachael Bayliss
“Claire’s picture book-making/development courses are very inspiring and stimulating. My illustrations have been transformed by all I learnt during the classes. I highly recommend these classes to anyone interested in creating children’s picture books.” Veronique Avon
£595
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Advanced Course: Picture Book Mentor Groups
September – July 2026
ONLINE: Various evenings and Saturday Mornings
A year of online group mentor sessions to motivate, guide and support you in launching or rejuvenating your career as a picture book author and/ or Illustrator.
During these sessions, I will help you identify your unique picture book superpowers, guide you in strengthening your written and illustrative skills, feedback on your storyboards and advise you on crafting your best portfolio to flaunt your individual style to industry professionals.
In this safe, creative space, numbers are limited to allow time for vital feedback on your work and to air questions or challenges you may have.
You will:
- Receive personalised, one-on-one feedback on your work during each session.
- Share your work in a supportive small group setting to receive constructive feedback and motivation from myself and your peers.
- Upload your current portfolio to identify any gaps in content and explore effective ways to present your work, helping you captivate publishers and tell your unique story.
- Refine your unique style by strengthening your characters, colour palettes and compositions.
- Get detailed appraisals of your texts and storyboards, including advice on which synopsis to develop for maximum impact.
- Receive industry advice about approaching and working with agents and publishers
- Complete homework assignments designed to build your portfolio and enhance self-marketing techniques.
- Set achievable goals with clear timelines, and receive ongoing support and accountability to ensure your progress.
Testimonials
“I’ve learnt so much from Claire’s mentorship and it has transformed my picture book portfolio over the last year. I have really benefited from having Claire critique my work and from her industry knowledge. This course was exactly what I needed to help me progress with my dream of illustrating picture books.” Emma Block
“I have enjoyed this year’s mentor sessions as always. I love having a regular group that is so supportive and encouraging where I can share my work regularly. The feedback from Claire is always so helpful. She has the ability to look at a picture and suggest ways to improve it which you just couldn’t see yourself. She always strikes the perfect balance between encouraging and offering useful critique. She has so much useful knowledge and is so generous in sharing it. I wholeheartedly recommend her courses and mentor groups.” Lemady Rochard
“Claire’s Mentor group came at the perfect time for me. I had reached a point in developing my portfolio, that I felt stuck, on my own and needed guidance. Claire’s course gave me exactly what I needed at an affordable very reasonable price. I will be coming back for a second year! Thank you Claire!” Tamasin Warnock
“I have gained so much confidence in not just illustrating for picture books but writing too. My development has been huge and I can’t wait for what the future holds as I am enjoying it so much.” Harkiran Kalsi
£355
Click below for full course details
Discover your Children’s Illustration Superpowers
Coming in 2026
Have rejections from agents and publishers left you lacking motivation & direction in your children’s illustration career?
Join my small, exclusive, three-session course for intermediate/ advanced levels to gain greater career clarity and confidence. During this interactive course, you will:
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- Gain professional feedback on your children’s illustration portfolio.
- Manifest your goals & establish your career direction.
- Give your portfolio a market-boosting makeover.
- Write a new bio & pitching statement to present your work with confidence.
- Work on your brand & promote your work creatively.
- Grow your fan base on social media and other places you may not have considered.
- Connect with a friendly, supportive group of fellow children’s illustrators.
- Feel inspired and motivated, knowing exactly what areas you need to work on to appeal to clients, publishers and agents.
This course is for those who have been educated to an intermediate level in children’s book illustration and have already created a portfolio of work. Set out over three Fridays with a gap of four weeks between the second and third sessions allows time for work to be completed. There will be a small amount of preparatory information to upload to an online pinboard before the first session.
Testimonials
“Thank you Claire – it was a fabulous experience. I’m looking forward to developing my portfolio and all that we learned. I am also really thankful for the wonderful feedback from my fellow illustrators/artists and yourself. A really wonderful group and experience.”
“Thanks so much for this Claire, was great to get feedback on my work from such a talented bunch of illustrators. Would highly recommend for anyone seeking inspiration and taking your career goals to the next level!”
“Thank you so much Claire! I feel really invigorated and motivated now! I’m recommending it to everyone I know!”
£355
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