Illustration for Beginners is a practical 10-week course designed to help you transform ideas, stories and imaginative concepts into original artwork. Through structured exercises and tutor guidance, you’ll develop essential illustration skills while building confidence in your own creative approach.

The course begins with character design, using abstract shapes, collage and brushwork to explore appearance, personality and behaviour. You’ll then learn how to create environments for your characters, considering composition, atmosphere and the relationship between visual setting and narrative.

As the course progresses, you’ll experiment with different illustration techniques and examine how illustration connects with literature and storytelling. You’ll also explore the differences between cartoon and non-cartoon styles, helping you understand a broader range of visual approaches and gradually develop your own style.

Each class combines a presentation, practical drawing exercises and group critiques. You’ll have opportunities to review your work, make changes and apply what you have learned through further experimentation.

During the final week, you’ll bring together the skills developed throughout the course to create a finished illustration based on a given subject.

This course is suitable for beginners interested in character creation, visual storytelling, literature and imaginative drawing. No previous illustration experience is required.