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…
Looking to gift a course, workshop or a mentor session? Click here and find Gift Vouchers at the top of the page.
Write & Illustrate a Picture Book
16th September – 25th November 2026
ONLINE: Wednesday Evenings, 19.00 – 21.00 BST
(Formerly 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 and to book
Illustrate a Children’s Book: Live Summer School
3-7 August 2026
10.00-16.00 daily
This new, in-person Summer School offers a valuable opportunity to build practical, industry-relevant skills in children’s book illustration, while receiving personalised feedback from me as you develop a book project.
Working from a set literary brief, you’ll gain hands-on experience of the full illustrative process—just as it happens in the industry. You’ll choose from a board book text (aimed at 0-3 years) or picture book text (aimed at 3-7 years), and be guided step by step to create character studies, a roughed-out storyboard, and a colour illustration tailored to the current UK market.
Click here for full details and bookings
Advanced Course: Picture Book Mentor Groups
September 2026 – July 2027
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
- Gain invaluable Industry feedback on your finished portfolio from an established agent or publisher, near the end of the course
- 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
Click here for full course details or to join the waiting list
Developing Picture Books
21st April – 30th June 2027
ONLINE: Evenings
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
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