Ready to turn your passion for illustration into a thriving career? Join legendary mentor Dr. Mira Reisberg and a dream team of top industry professionals in this self-paced, joy-filled course designed to help you master both the art and the business of illustrating children’s books.
Whether you’re just starting out or leveling up your portfolio, you’ll learn everything from visual storytelling and character design to contracts and submissions. Create professional-quality work, grow your confidence, and open doors to exciting publishing opportunities—all at your own pace, with a full year of access.
PLUS: Enroll now and get a FREE bonus Procreate course to help you illustrate digitally with flair!
TESTIMONIALS:
"I highly recommend the Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Books by the Children's Book Academy. Learning about other illustrators and how they work and even what their studios look like, has been inspiring and energizing. It is a great course for anyone wanting to illustrate their own stories whether beginner or experienced. Seeing so many gifted artists who generously share their experience producing their works has been such a gift. The community Mira has organized is caring and supportive. She has created an environment for learning and fast improvement."
- Mary Jane Muir
"You will not find a more caring, nurturing, wonderful and knowledgeable group of instructors than at The Children’s Book Academy. Dr. Mira Reisberg and the fantastic instructors and guest speakers are warm and welcoming. It is a safe, judgment-free zone overflowing with creativity. (And I’m pretty sure a bit of magic too!) we all need to keep learning and honing skills. Treat yourself to one of CBA’s courses - you’ll be so glad you did."
- Connie Colon
"This CBA course is wonderful for all who write and illustrate picture books. Even the most experienced will find inspiration and amazing support. It is better than any course I took at RISD and that’s saying a lot. I found the presentations were so well done that even if it were a concept that I previously knew, I was inspired and challenged to grow. I loved the videos, samples of each lesson and the feedback. It is a wonderful community of creators…. So worth the cost and so worth the time devoted."
COURSE SYLLABUS:
Preparation: Dummy or Portfolio
Welcome and Starting with a Dummy or Portfolio
Preparation: Recommended Supplies
Recommended Supplies List
Recommended Digital Supplies
WEEK ONE
Getting Started
The Basics, Thumbnails and Public Domain
Visual Pacing, Visual Culture, Pop Culture, Board Books, Picture Books, and Chapter Books Visual Pacing
Conceptual & Literal Illustration
World Building & Environment
Visual Homework: Emphasis
The Critical Inner Voice Monster
WEEK TWO
Getting in Character with Yuyi Morales and Angela Dominguez
Drawing Figures, Faces, and Expressions
Using Shapes to Draw Animals • Glorious Black and White and Chapter Books
Visual Homework & Two Treats!
Visual Stories, Incongruity, Contradiction or Counterpoint Character Mapping & Interview with Angela Dominguez
WEEK THREE
Watercolors • Demos • Julie Downing, Lea Lyon, Phyllis Harris and Mark Mitchell
Mediums • Making it in the Industry • Christy Hale
The Wonderful World of Color, Super Cool PDF from Kathryn Ault Noble And Awesome Interviews with Jon Hendrix and Bryan Collier
Children's Developmental Stages, Salina Yoon Interview
Visual Homework: Value/Perspective/Space
Interviews with The Fabulous Talented Rafael Lopez and Lane Smith
WEEK FOUR
Emotion & Relational Images
Image Development Toolbox
Visual Homework: Rhythm and Pattern
The Revisionaries
Pros & Cons of Anthropomorphism
WEEK FIVE
Promotional Materials & Contracts
Adobe & Apps
Websites, Social Media & Your Illustrator Platform
Cover Letters & Bios
Interview with Maya Gonzalez and Crafting Your Cover Letter
WEEK SIX
Studio Tours
Interview with Elizabeth Parisi
Interview with Paul O. Zelinsky
Interview with Jannie Ho & Antoinette Portis
T-t-touch Me, Touchy Feelie, and Other Interactive Picture Books
WEEK SEVEN
Integrated Fine Art Lesson Plans, Little Big Book & CBA's Badge of Honor
Interviews with Leslie Iorello & John Parra
Interviews with Gianna Marino & Lisa Brown
Bonus Interview with Eliza Wheeler
Graphic Novels
