Children's Book Illustration Summer School

Whatever your level of drawing experience, our Summer School will allow you to explore characterisation, pacing, pagination, the interplay of text and image, composition and design. You will produce your own dummy picture book under the guidance of our tutors using online video technology.

Our sessions are run on a one-to-one tutorial basis by experienced tutors from our MA Children's Book Illustration, and students from all backgrounds and experiences are welcome.

Alongside the practical work, you’ll attend a series of online lectures by leading internationally published illustrators, which will run throughout the week.

See testimonials from previous students on Instagram

Our tutors:

David Barrow is a children's book author and illustrator and a graduate of the MA Children’s Book Illustration at Anglia Ruskin, Cambridge School of Art. Whilst on the course, David created his first picture book, Have You Seen Elephant? He won the Sebastian Walker Award for New Talent in Children’s Book illustration at his degree show and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Since then he has produced several Picture Books for numerous publishers, including the Kate Greenaway nominated Troll Stroll, Fergus Barnaby Goes On Holiday and My Mum Always Looks After Me So Much by Sean Taylor. He is currently in the process of working on his next books.

Maisie Paradise Shearring is an international award winning and published illustrator. In 2015, Maisie received the Bologna International Illustrators Award in recognition for her graphic novel, Susan's School Days. Her first picturebook, The Happy Prince has been nominated for the 2017 Bratislava Biennial of Illustration. Maisie has a broad portfolio of work and she is currently working on her second picturebook as both author and illustrator with Two Hoots. Her first picturebook with Walker will be out this year. Maisie is one of the co-founders of Orange Beak Studio, with Ness Wood and Pam Smy. Maisie loves drawing and experimenting with materials. You can see more of Maisie's drawings from her sketchbook on Instagram.

Birgitta Sif is an award winning children's book author and illustrator. She was born in Iceland, lived in and around Scandinavia and America while growing up, and worked as a graphic designer in New York before graduating with a Masters in Children's Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art. She is the creator of the Kate Greenaway shortlisted picture book, Oliver, and Frances Dean Who Loved To Dance and Dance, both of which were endorsed by Amnesty International. Birgitta has written and illustrated numerous picturebooks that have sold all over the world. She also works as an associate lecturer for the Masters program at Cambridge School of Art. Currently Birgitta is finishing her 9th picture book which will be out next year with Walker Books UK and Candlewick Press US. You can follow Birgitta Sif on Instagram.

Ness Wood is a book designer, art director and lecturer, having taught at Goldsmiths, Cambridge School of Art and currently at UCLAN. She is the designer of many award-winning books and has worked for major publishers including David Fickling Books, Faber & Faber and Penguin Random House. She is known for her encouraging and collaborative approach with illustrators and students. Ness is also a co-founder of Orange Beak Studio along with Maisie and Pam Smy who offer tutorials, mentoring and portfolio surgeries to people interested in children’s book making. In 2018 Ness and Pam won the BBD&P Award for the Graphic Novel Category. Follow Ness on instagram.

Sophie Burrows is an author, illustrator and comics creator. She is a graduate of the MA Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art. During her studies, she won the V&A Illustration Award for Student Illustrator of the Year with her graphic short story Crushing. Her illustration work has been published internationally, and her debut picture book as author/illustrator, Ig Pig & Og Frog! is out in April 2020 with David Fickling Books. She also works as an associate lecturer on the MA Children’s Book Illustration, and is currently developing her next picture book and her first graphic novel. You can follow Sophie on Instagram and Twitter.

Process to Progress: how to work creatively - a one day online conference

Saturday August 1 2020, 10am-5pm with lunchbreak

Book through our online store

The opportunity to be inspired by a diverse range of speakers and to ask questions throughout the day. Featuring a mix of creative professionals, including:

• Emma Lewis, illustrator and author
• Alex Barrow, illustrator
• Paul Barritt, artist and co-artistic director of 1927
• Charlotte Voake, illustrator and author
• Dr Karl K Jeffries, Creativity Professional
• Louise Lockhart (The Printed Peanut), illustrator
• John Broadley, illustrator

Hosted online by Ness Wood and Maisie Paradise Shearring. You will need access to a computer with a built in camera and good sound. Once you have booked you will be sent the log in details before the event.

Please email any questions to ness.wood@anglia.ac.uk.