Join Glasgow Zine Library’s FREE picture book course for young LGBTQI+ illustrators with children's author and illustrator Clive McFarland.
In this course, you will learn how to illustrate picture books for children from experienced picture book author and illustrator Clive McFarland in a 6-day residency held at Glasgow Zine Library.
This opportunity is open to people who identify as LGBTQI+, aged 18-26, who are passionate about visual storytelling and picture-book illustration.
Clive will guide participants through the process of developing their own picture book idea, including learning how to create a picture book pitch. The course will be focusing on creating joyful queer stories, crafting fictional characters and narratives while also demystifying the publishing process.
In keeping with the ethos of Glasgow Zine Library, it will be a hands-on process, with practical creating, working in sketchbooks, and developing ideas in a relaxed studio environment.
Day 1: Beginnings
Look for inspiration in traditional stories and fairy tales. Begin scribbling, cutting, pasting and sketch-booking! Create memorable characters of your own.
Day 2: Bring your own unique character to life
World building and creating the basis of a story that will evoke the curiosity of young readers.
Day 3: The art of making a picture book
Explore layout, use of colour, composition and visual language in a range of classic picture books and learn how to thumbnail and storyboard your own picture book idea.
Day 4: Storytelling
Explore how words and pictures work together to tell a memorable and engaging story. Develop a story are for your character(s) and a satisfying conclusion.
Day 5: Digging deeper
Further research and develop your ideas to create sketches, known as roughs, before putting together your first sketch 'dummy' version of your picture book concept.
Day 6: Create a final illustration to be published
Begin working on a final illustration to be published in the Pop Up Anthology. Explore next steps for your work.
Participants are welcome to bring in tablets, iPads, and laptops etc if they already work digitally and want to create their illustrations in this way. There is no pressure to create anything too polished or final in these sessions. It’s all about learning, exploring, creating and having fun!
About Clive McFarland
Clive McFarland is a children's book author and illustrator. He was raised in County Tyrone before studying art in Derry and Liverpool. His first and second picture-books were shortlisted for the AOI World Illustration Awards. A Bed for Bear was a Kids’ Indie Next List Top Ten, and One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count with Me! was chosen for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Clive's clients include HarperCollins, Penguin US, Templar, Froebel South Korea, and Marks & Spencer.
Find out more about Pop Up's Rainbow Library project HERE.