Perfect Pictures

COURSES

RU

FAQ

CONTACT

Perfect pictures: how to create strong illustrations /

6 weeks

/

90 minutes

/

1 lesson a week

/

live lessons online

ABOUT THE COURSE

Over the space of 6 weeks you will learn about how illustration functions, plus on a more practical level, some key “hacks” that will assist you to create strong and effective illustrations.

Participants will respond to weekly tasks, and the course will culminate with their creation of either a single narrative-based image or a small series of related images.

The history and role of illustration:

Its early manifestations and later evolution, including the influence of technical innovation
contemporary illustration and its sub-genres
current industry trends

What makes a strong illustration:

a distinctive voice
effective marriage of visual elements
storytelling
visual metaphor

Key illustration techniques (practical component):

composition
line
colour
texture
narrative

requirements

your English level is higher than B1

14+

B1+

you are at least 14 years old

i

BASIC

A1

Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

A2

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

INDEPENDENT

B1

Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

B2

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

PROFICIENT

C1

Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

C2

Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE PORTAL – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Who will enjoy the course

Relative newcomers

The tasks are designed to allow students to produce illustration outcomes at their own level, however some prior experience with drawing would be of benefit.

Semi-pros

If you have experience with image-making and would like to push your work further, this course is a way to achieve some great results and diversify your style.

English lovers

If you would like to feel more confident with discussing and pitching ideas, talking about visual work and expressing your opinion in English — all in a relaxed and positive environment — then this course should be a perfect fit.

WHY YOU SHOULD LEARN illustration

This course focuses on some easily applicable tips to create more effective images, but also teaches you that illustration is a language that should communicate emotions, feelings and ideas.

Even for those who don't want to be professional illustrators, creating images and communicating concepts is a fantastic way to express yourself, as well as a form of reflection and mediation. In this fast-paced, digitally-oriented world we can all use a bit more of that!

15 000 BC

The earliest recorded illustrations appeared at this time in pre-historic cave paintings created in Lascaux, France. That means that illustration is a form of communication that pre-dates writing by almost 27.000 years!

40%

12-18

of the top 100 best-selling books on the 2015 New York Times list were picture-books

is the number of pictures you should typically present in an illustration portfolio

illustrations: Susannah Garden

Find out more about the history and development of illustration, the role it plays today, plus current trends in the industry

Learn about what makes a strong illustration and analyse and discuss strong images to learn why they “work” so effectively

Create your own visual experiments that explore composition, line, colour, texture and narrative

At the end of the course, you will produce a final image that will utilise the technical knowledge you have already accrued

Apart from attendance at a weekly online lecture/discussion, this course does require the completion of weekly drawing tasks, however these can be done at any time during the space of the week, and should not require more than 1 -2 hours.

The final task is also a requirement of the course, due to the fact that we will review and analyse all of your work as a group in the final session.

Learning process

flexibility

1

2

3

4

course outline

lesson 1.

The origins of illustration, current trends & compositional basics

We will find out more about the history and development of illustration, the role it plays today, plus current trends in the industry

We will discuss what makes a strong illustration and analyse and discuss strong images to learn why they "work" so effectively

1

2

3

We will also look at the basics of composition and the ways it can be effectively employed in illustration

lesson 2.

Taking a line for a walk

We will explore the importance of strong and varied use of line and the ways it can be effectively employed in illustration

1

Key illustration techniques (practical component)

lesson 3.

Colour combos

We will learn about atypical and exciting colour combinations and about how to express the mood of your work through your palette

1

lesson 4.

Textural effects

We will learn techniques for applying varied and effective textures to your work that can really take it to another level.. and about how to express the mood of your work through your palette texture

1

lesson 5.

Creating narrative

We will discuss the storytelling aspect of illustration, along with using visual clues, metaphor and other elements that assist with content and context

1

lesson 6.

Presentations and discussion of final work

This is a chance both for self-reflection and for the group to share their impressions of the work created. Participants will have the opportunity to present their outcome and receive feedback from the tutor and other students in a supportive and positive atmosphere

1

teacher

Illustration is a language that exists without words, therefore it is something that can be universally understood. It has evolved to become an art that has endless possibilities for self-expression and for the interpretation of ideas.