1.) Dynamic Drawing and Design   How to create the living line art that will serve as the "blueprint" for your painted illustration. 1.)      A scribbled start -- your story's first thumbnail  drawings 2.)     Deciphering the secret code of the picture book 3.)     Keys to good storyboarding 4.)     Best practices for hunting and using picture references 5.)     Comfortably fitting the round world into your picture space 6.)     Tricks for setting your "puppet stage" 7.)     The secret of good design 8.)     Creating and staying consistent with your visual characters

 

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

* Two drastically different drawing approaches – and why you need both for most pictures. (Sessions 1,2,8)

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

* How to compose multiple 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 viewers' imaginations and  participation in your pictures (Session 15)

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

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

* How to place your picture elements so that viewers believe in the world of your picture. (Sessions 11-13)

* How to keep your sketches alive all the way through the process, from storyboard to full sketches (Sessions 8-10)

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

 

2.) Power Color A simple approach for unlocking the most beautiful color in your painting 1.)  The 'shocking' untold truth about artists' pigments  2.)   Why opposites attract and  "mud" is good for your painting. 4.)   How to unleash the full power of your palette and effortlessly turn your  paintings into 'color poems.'

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

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

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

* How to create your own simple, laser-accurate color wheel.You won't believe the results it will bring you when you learn how to really use it! (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 professional, i.e. easy way 1.)    How to paint with charm and assurance 2.)   The tricks to making your brush behave 3.)    How to paint well with light and darks 4.)   How to confidently push your darks. 5.)    Master your 'watercolor grammar' with only four brush techniques

* How to quickly ascend your painting learning curve. (Sessions 5-7 and 16 -19)

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

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

* How to easily spot and fix your picture's problems before they torpedo your story scenes. (Session 17-19)

4.)Your Place in the Marketplace How to showcase your work and market yourself in a changing publishing environment.   1.)    Copyright for the 21st century.   2.)    How to know when you're ready to show.   3.)    Meaningful networking for artists.   4.)    Best ways to put up your artist's shingle onlline.   5.)    How to 'de-commodify' yourself and your art..   6.)    How to send in your final art.   7.)    Do you have a 'style'? Do you need one?   9.)    Agents and art reps -- Can they help you? 11.)    Mental health for creative people 12.)    Finding 'the best homes' for the stories you write and illustrate yourself.

* Do you really need an author-illustrator "platform?" (Sessions 20 and 21) 

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

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

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

* Illustrating for e-books and interactive apps for iPads and other touch screen portable devices.. 

Tuition (full course):

$249

(A month-to-month option is also available.)
                                               

Make Your Splashes - Make Your Marks!
A self-paced course on drawing and painting for children's books, magazines and other media