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From Idea to Picture Book – a live online course

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From Idea to Picture Book – a live online course

Original price was: R1,700.Current price is: R1,200. – £52 – $67

Learn everything you need to know about creating Picture Books.

Whether you want to write, illustrate or both, make a book for your kids, get your book published or become a kid’s book illustrator for hire. In these six lessons, you will learn how to get from Idea to Picture Book!

Course info:

Live online Every Tuesday evening starting 8 October to 12 November from 18h00 – 19h30 SAST

Lesson 1: From idea to picture book: I’ll take you through my process step by step and explain the differences between working digitally and in traditional mediums. We’ll also discuss colour palettes and what you can do yourself versus outsourcing.

Lesson 2: Start with an idea. For this lesson, my talented friend and writer, Liora Friedland, is joining me. We’ve worked together on two children’s books. She is also an award-winning writer in advertising and one of the most delightfully creative people I know. We’ll teach you how to generate ideas, turn them into stories, and write for kids. We’ll also discuss imposter syndrome.

Lesson 3: Match your skills with a book idea. You’ll learn how to work with your strengths and weaknesses and look at workarounds like simple illustration styles, wordless books and books that don’t even need a story! You don’t need to be a creative genius to create a book! 

Lesson 4: Main character energy and illustration for Children’s books. Learn how to create characters and imbue them with personality and emotions, how to keep your characters consistent, backgrounds and all my illustration tips, tricks, and hacks. For this one, you’ll need a pencil, eraser, pen, and paper or your iPad. We’ll be drawing. 

Lesson 5: Put it all togetherLearn about art direction, layout, and book cover design. Also, learn how to make very special personalised books for your kids, grandkids, friends, and family that will become treasured heirlooms. I’ll share my hack for an affordable, easy way to get a proper book, like you’ll find on a shelf in a bookstore, made as a one-of or a very small print run of a few copies. 

Lesson 6: Get it out there! My multi-talented friend, client, and publisher, Jessica Powers, will be joining us from the States. She owns Catalyst Press and has published many award-winning books (some of which I’ve worked on). Jessica will share her insights into publishing, self-publishing, hybrid publishing, submitting your work, and finding and matching illustrators and writers.

There will be a Q&A at the end of each lesson and you’ll get a replay of each lesson to download and keep.

BONUS GOODIES!

• A booklet with links to all the tools and resources I use as a designer, writer, illustrator, art director and creative entrepreneur.

• A free video replay of my Create a Picture Book in an hour workshop!

Your teachers:

I’m Karen Vermeulen. I’ve been an award-winning illustrator, art director, book cover designer and graphic designer for over twenty years. I also write and obviously teach! I’m currently working on a kid’s picture book that will be out by the end of next year. My illustrated book for adults, ‘Good Luck to Us All,’ will be out early next year.

You can see what others have to say about my work and courses here:  https://bit.ly/KVonGooglereviews

Award-winning writer Liora Friedland will join us for lesson 2 to discuss writing. We’ve worked together on two books for an NGO called Book Dash, where we had to create a picture book in a day—twelve hours from idea to book!

Catalyst Press in the States is publishing both my books, and owner Jessica Powers, who is also an author, editor, and teacher, will join us all the way from Texas for Lesson 6 to discuss all things publishing.

Important info.

You can pay in two instalments. A deposit of R1000 to secure your spot. The balance must be paid on or before 26 September to keep your spot in the course. Please note that deposits are non-refundable. If you’d like this option, please get in touch at hello@karenvermeulen.com.

My classes are no-judgment zones. Beginners are welcome.

Each lesson is stand-alone, so it doesn’t matter if you miss a lesson and don’t have time to catch up.

You can participate as little or as much as you want. You’re welcome to keep your camera turned off.

Strictly no resends of replays or resources.

If you’re unsure if this is for you or have any queries regarding this course that are not covered here, you’re welcome to email me at hello@karenvermeulen.com.

However, please note that I don’t answer queries over email that are answered here or give advice on any of my areas of expertise over email. If you need help or information but don’t want to purchase the course, you can get in touch to book a private lesson or consult or purchase my Picture Book Package. More info on that if you scroll down.

One ticket = one person. Please don’t share links. If you’re going to be two people in front of a computer, both of you need to purchase a ticket.

No sharing, selling, public viewing, or publishing any of my content or video replays.

All work is copyrighted by me, Karen Vermeulen, 2024.

Any misuse of my work, copying, sharing, joining without a paid ticket, will result in legal action.

 

 

REGISTER HERE

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