Vintage Illustration for Engaging Children’s Books
A course by Ingela P ArrheniusIllustrator and graphic designer
A course by Ingela P Arrhenius, Illustrator and graphic designer
Create a visual universe that inspires young readers by exploring illustration techniques, playful typography, and book design
Children’s illustration gives us the opportunity to pique curiosity in the minds of young readers from an early age through words and images. Illustrator Ingela P Arrhenius specializes in doing just that through her bold and colorful artwork. She has illustrated and published multiple children’s books, one of which has been translated into over 20 languages worldwide.
In this course, Ingela teaches you how to design a children’s book filled with joyful drawings from scratch. Discover how to illustrate cheerful images that kids engage with using a combination of digital and analog tools. Brighten up your own children’s book with a vintage twist.
What will you learn in this online course?
13 lessons & 17 downloads
The Different Shapes of Books
8 minutes, 13 seconds
Tiny Sketches
20 minutes, 32 seconds
Refining the Best Sketches 1
18 minutes, 2 seconds
The Illustration 1
18 minutes, 59 seconds
The Typography
9 minutes, 16 seconds
The Dummy
7 minutes, 54 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know illustrator Ingela P Arrhenius. She talks through the creative career that has led her to work with brands around the world, along with the influences that inspire her work, from bookshops to fellow artists.
Dive into the different shapes and forms a book can take before finding inspiration for your own vintage visual universe. Use your library of references to create initial sketches and experiment with composition. Then finalize and refine your illustrations by adding the finer details in Procreate.
Transfer your images to Illustrator before deciding on a color palette. Learn how to incorporate typography into your illustrations seamlessly for a professional end result. Next see how to construct a dummy version of your book and box, ready to be presented to publishers.
Ingela talks about how to develop a series of books. Then, to finish the course, she shares her advice for collaborating with publishing houses that are right for you and your work.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Design your own accordion-style Leporello children’s book and box filled with vintage illustrations.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in vintage illustration and creating their own children’s books.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is needed.
In terms of materials, Ingela uses Adobe Illustrator and Procreate, but you can use traditional tools like colored paper and pencils if you prefer. If you decide to work digitally, you will also need access to a printer. Glue is required to put your book and box together.
Reviews
- 3 months ago
This course really taught me a lot!
- 5 months ago
Era justo lo que necesitaba. ¡Gracias!
- 6 months ago
j'ai adoré ce cours, parfait pour apprendre à créer un livre pour enfant
- 7 months ago
Ingela is a great and detailed teacher. I find this course very helpful for people who want to create their own children's books or interested to learn more about children's illustrations.
- 7 months ago
fantastique !
With over 30 years of experience as a freelancer, Ingela's work is characterized by telling visual stories and staying true to her unique artistic voice. Her approach to illustration, featuring nostalgic compositions and vintage color palettes, creates captivating visual worlds that resonate with viewers.
Join Ingela P Arrhenius in this course to gain invaluable insights and guidance from her illustrious career. Discover your personal aesthetic, refine your illustration skills, and unlock your creative potential under Ingela's mentorship.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Books, Inspiration and Sketching
- The Different Shapes of Books
- Finding Your Universe
- Tiny Sketches
- Refining the Best Sketches 1
- Refining the Best Sketches 2
- U3
Making Our Leporello
- The Illustration 1
- The Illustration 2
- The Typography
- The Dummy
- U4
How to Continue
- A Series of Books
- A Collaboration That Is Right for You
- FP
Final project
- Vintage Illustration for Engaging Children’s Books
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate illustrators who already have some experience with drawing and digital tools, looking to expand their skills in children's book illustration and creative book formats.
Basic familiarity with digital tools like Procreate or Illustrator is helpful but not strictly required. The course covers workflow tips and techniques for these programs, making it accessible for illustrators with some digital experience.
You’ll learn how to create three-dimensional illustrations, design playful books and greeting cards, develop motifs, refine digital and hand-drawn sketches, manage digital workflows, and collaborate on book projects from concept to prototype.
You’ll need basic art supplies (for sketching and painting), a digital drawing tablet or iPad, access to Procreate or Adobe Illustrator, and materials for mockups such as paper, foam, or wood blocks.
Yes, the course includes techniques for painting on wood blocks and porcelain, making it suitable for those interested in exploring illustration beyond paper and digital formats.
Yes, you’ll learn about designing various interactive book formats, including pop-up, peekaboo, leporello, foam, and poster format books, along with practical assembly and storytelling techniques.
Absolutely. The course teaches you how to gather inspiration using Instagram, online references, and personal collections, as well as how to organize ideas with mood boards and sketchbooks.