1.) Dynamic Drawing and Design   How to create the strong, living line art that will serve as a "blueprint" for your illustration. 1.)      A scribbled start -- your story's first drawings 2.)      Cracking the picture book's secret code 3.)      The real key to storyboarding 4.)     'Book at a glance' omniscience 5.)     Picture reference 'best practices' 6.)     Embracing the round world to fit your picture space 7.)     The truth of good design 8.)     Dressing up your picture's 'puppet stage'   9.)     Creating sustainable visual characters Available as a stand alone course

* How to draw the way a child sees. (Session 16) 

* Two drastically different drawing approaches – and why you need both in a  picture. (Sessions 1,2,8)

* How to fascinate the viewer's eye. (Sessions 14) 

* How to compose figures in action. (Session 16)

* The “Howard Pyle theorem” -- and how it helps your pictures to connect emotionally with viewers. (Session 8)

* The ' Lynne and Tessa' factor and how to engage viewer participation in your pictures (Session 15)

* How to use visual references without killing the life in your pictures (or violating copyright laws) (Sessions 8-9)

* How to draw interiors so that a viewer feels inside them. (Sessions 11-13) 

* Best tricks for drawing people and children. (Session 17)

* How to place your picture elements so that viewers believe in the world you've created for them. (Sessions 11-13)

* How to keep your sketches alive throughout your story layout. (Sessions 8-10)

* How  to transfer your pencil sketches to a painting surface. (Sessions 1-13)

* How to successfully complete each step (from thumbnail to final art finishes) of your illustration assignment. (Sessions 1-20)
 

2.) Power Color A simple approach for unlocking the most beautiful color in your painting 1.)  The secret that almost nobody mentions about using artists' pigments.  2.)   The essential magic of "dueling colors." 3.)  How to unleash the full power of your palette. Available as a stand alone course

* The #1 job that color must do for you in your painting.
Knowing this will transform your art! (Sessions 6-7)

* How to control color so that every hue in your picture sings.(Sessions 5-7)

* How to never again feel confused or limited by your color choices. (Sessions 5-7)

* How to make (and use) your own very simple, laser-accurate color wheel.You won't believe the results it will bring you! (Sessions 5-7)

* Five enchanted color relationships. Use any one of them to bring poetry to your picture! Ignore their magic at your peril. (Sessions 5-7)

3.) Painting Pretty How to handle watercolor the easy, professional way 1.)    Make your brush behave 2.)    Painting with light, water and white paper.  3.)    Push your darks to 'best effect.'. 4.)    Master four basic watercolor brush techniques    6.)    Staging with light: How to set your scene's value structure to make it readable and exciting at a glance.

* How to flatten your painter's learning curve. (Sessions 5-7 and 16 -19)

* How to paint with bravura in watercolor - and why you must. (It's not as hard as you think.) (Session 16-19 )

* Changing fear into fun at every step of your drawing and painting .
(Sessions 1-19)

* How to easily spot and fix your picture's mistakes before they become fatal flaws. (Session 17-19)

4.)Your Place in the Marketplace Showcase your work to publishers and future clients and navigate your way in a changing publishing environment.   1.)    Clearing up copyright confusion   2.)    How to know when you're ready to show   3.)    Meaningful networking for artists.   4.)    Hang out your illustrator's shingle online    5.)    How to 'de-commodify' your art (and yourself)   6.)    Submitting samples, proposals the right way.   7.)    How to prepare your final art for sending    8.)    What is your 'style'   9.)    Landing your literary agent or art rep 11.)    Mental health for artists and other creatives 12.)    How to find the right publishers (and projects) for your illustrated stories and illustrative art.  13.)   A primer on digital publishing.

* How to construct your illustrator or author-illustrator "platform." (Sessions 20 and 21) 

* How to (comfortably) tap into the world of children's book artists, writers, editors, publishers, agents  and art reps. (Sessions 20 and 21) 

* How to professionally present your picture book proposals and illustration samples (Session 20.)

* The right ways to promote yourself to editors, art directors and agents.

* Illustrating for e-books, interactive iPad and mobile device 'book apps' and the "new self publishing." (Session 20).

*  Fathoming the depths of art licensing ( Session 20.)