
Storytelling Tutorial: The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing for Children
Discover Natalia Méndez’ top tips on how to write a children’s book
Discover a visual language bursting with color that awakens the youngest of imaginations.
Discover Natalia Méndez’ top tips on how to write a children’s book
Learn the method used by Teresa Martínez to transform text into images in the most efficient way Illustrating children's books can be a beautiful project but also one that requires a great deal of expertise when choosing the style and elements to use. After all, the goal is to synthesize a whole story into a series of images that capture the imagination of readers, both young and not so young. To help you start translating words into images, illustrator Teresa Martínez shares with us her typical workflow. She explains the importance of sketches and considers three ways in which an illustration can be related to the text.
Learn the basic techniques that anyone who wants to write stories for children needs to bear in mind, with Ian Brenman
In graphic design and illustration, geometric shapes are timeless. We find a lot of inspiration in it and the core of our work is based on seemingly simple shapes. Most of us don’t give much thought to a square, circle or triangle but sometimes they carry profound meanings or are used to evoke various emotions. And they are also easy to use for their decorative qualities. A pointy square or one with rounded corners generate different feelings towards it: hard and sharp or soft and gentle. So utilizing geometric shapes in design is not just about creating visually appealing work; it's actually tapping into the universal language of shapes to convey messages and call for reactions. This article explores where to search if you want to create with geometric shapes, blending simplicity with profound meaning.
In visual storytelling, the tools and mediums I select are not just instruments; they are the very foundation upon which my narratives take shape. My individual journey through illustration has been defined by the exploration of vibrant colors, intriguing textures, and the emotion that each piece conveys. Let me take you behind the scenes of my creative process, highlighting the sketchbooks, tools, and theories that bring my stories to life.
Learn the keys to organizing the illustrations in your portfolio an appealing, elegant manner with Ricard López
Learn a basic exercise to create illustrated characters for children using graphic research and collage techniques
Discover how Mickey Mouse's entry into public domain marks a new era for Disney's legacy. In the whimsical realm of entertainment, there are few characters as iconic and enduring as Mickey Mouse. Since his debut in the groundbreaking cartoon short film Steamboat Willie in November 1928, Mickey has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences worldwide. With his mischievous charm and timeless appeal, Mickey became the beloved face of the Disney brand, gracing everything from theme parks to television screens.
Colors define the aesthetic of your illustrations and designs, that's why choosing between an infinite array of tones and hues can be such a difficult process for many creators. Maybe limiting your options by creating or following a given palatte can help you get started! Learn how to choose your color selection palette with our free guide.
Discover the art of origami: learn how to create amazing paper animals step by step.
To begin our journey, let's set ourselves at the very start! As some of you might already know, the production of illustrated books dates back to the earliest days of bookbinding. Perhaps the most important tradition of medieval art in regard to the development of picture books is the Poor Man's Bible, which sought to make illustrations of important Biblical events so that they could be understood by the illiterate. Nowadays, modern picture books often aim to aid with children's language development or understanding of the world from the author's perspective.
Discover a world of creativity with these 9 courses to do with the little artists of the house.
Embark on a whimsical journey into picture book illustration with Mark Hoffmann, a seasoned artist with two decades of collaboration. Discover the art of storytelling through enchanting visuals and character-rich illustrations.
Learn the keys to understand and recognize the characters before creating your children's book, with Valentina Toro
Discover mangaka artists who become influential along History
Crafting a Visual Symphony: The Art of Illustrating Children's Literature. For those intrepid enough to venture into the enchanting realm of children's literature, the marriage of image and text is a dance of necessity.
What stands up, must sit down! Learn how to draw cute characters in a variety of sitting positions with illustrator and picture book maker, Gozde Eyce. Endearing characters have the power to captivate young audiences and truly make a picture book special. Using Procreate, Gozde takes you through how you illustrate your character in a variety of sitting positions, with an eye to accuracy. Gozde Eyce is a self-taught illustrator specializing in children’s picture books. She’s passionate about creating a brighter and more equal world, and believes that starts with kids. She’s collaborated with NGOs and publishers such as Justdiggit, UNICEF, and Mo’s Daughters to spread a joy of reading and loveable characters. Her Domestika course teaches you how to design unforgettable picture books using Procreate. She shows you everything from how to set the mood with facial expressions and poses, to digital color application. Tools and materials: Procreate Pen Sketch Sitting Poses 1. Front View Start by sketching out your character’s head, torso, feet and legs. Make corrections as you go along with both your eraser and your cutting tool until you get the proportions right. Clean up any excess marks as well. Then finish off with the arms, ears, accessories, clothes and face. 2. Side Angle Then, learn how to draw your character from a side angle. Keep referencing your other drawings to make sure that the sizes and characteristics match up. 3. Front view sitting and looking up Finally, sketch your character from the front view looking upwards. Start with the head, body, legs, feet and arms. Then, once you get to the ears, make sure they are slightly shorter than your other drawings since the character is looking up. Finish off with the face and clothes. Did you like this tutorial? Check out Gozde’s course and push your drawing skills further with Picturebook Character Illustration with Procreate https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/4114-picturebook-character-illustration-with-procreate Discover more resources on Character Illustrations Draw edgy figures with Stylish Character Illustration in Procreate Make your creations mystical with Fantastical Character Illustration for Children’s Books Explore the world of children’s books with Illustrating Children's Books: The Art of Crafting Engaging Visual Narratives
Illustrating children's books is an art form that requires a unique blend of creativity, storytelling, and visual communication. An engaging visual narrative can capture a child's imagination, help them learn, and inspire a lifelong love of reading. In this article, we will explore the process of creating captivating illustrations for children's books, from developing characters and environments to effectively collaborating with authors and publishers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discover this amazing list of courses to learn how to illustrate children's books ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Understanding the target audience The first step in illustrating children's books is understanding the target audience. Children's books can range from early picture books for toddlers to more complex stories for older kids. Consider the age group, their cognitive development, and interests when creating illustrations. This will help ensure that the artwork is age-appropriate, visually appealing, and complements the story's themes and messages.
Discover these free Procreate brushes to boost your illustration skills. Created by children’s author/illustrator Lucy Flemming, they're a prefect tool to inspire creativity.
Prepare a portfolio that sells your skills and expresses your unique style, with this free downloadable PDF guide
Explore these historical art libraries, packed with free illustrations and images to download and inspire your creative projects
Learn how to create engaging stories for children and young adults with these top courses for beginners
Discover centuries-old stories from this archive of American children’s literature, from ancient fables to classics
Expand your work’s reach by entering these international contests for children’s books
Discover this list of essential picture books to inspire your creative projects and ignite kids' imaginations
We asked Dani Torrent to improvise a professional illustration using nothing but cheap school materials. Will he succeed?
Learn how to understand and denote character before creating your children’s book, with Valentina Toro
Learn to create a range of illustrated books and albums with a little help from these experts in children’s and young adult literature International Children's Book Day is celebrated every year on April 2, which is also the same day that Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen was born. You are sure to have come across his works, such as The Ugly Duckling, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, and The Little Mermaid, which have also been made into films. This annual celebration aims to fuel children and young adults’ interest in books. Discovering original and inspiring stories on the page helps children and young adults to unleash their imaginations in the real world. These 12 online courses will help you to become an expert in children’s and YA literature and invent a unique language that combines words with illustrations. From picture books to theater books, the possibilities are endless. Creation of a Children's Picturebook, a course by Claudia Rueda When it comes to embarking on the creation of an illustrated children's book, it’s always better to seek out the advice of experts. Claudia Rueda is here to guide you, having published over thirty works and been nominated for important international awards such as the Hans Christian Andersen Award and Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Learn how Claudia plans and elaborates a picture book from scratch, starting with the first idea to creating the layout and finalizing the project before delivering it to a publisher.
Brazilian illustrator Weberson Santiago travels back to the past, analyzes the present and makes predictions about the future in his Domestika self-portraits
Jimena S. Sarquiz shares tips for creating characters in Procreate using basic shapes When it comes to producing artwork that demonstrates creativity and imagination, it’s certain that the artist will have developed formulas to make their processes easier. In illustration, basic shapes–circles, squares, triangles, among many others–play an important role when it comes to determining the key elements that make up a character or a scene. Illustrator Jimena S. Sarquiz–creator of monitosbonitos (@monitosbonitos)–has worked on illustration projects with Editorial Norma, Edebé, Santillana, Macmillan Education, Cambridge University Press, and Editorial Televisa. Today, she shares tips for getting your proportions right, as well as how to take basic shapes and turn them into characters. Discover more in the video below: