Experimental Techniques for Picturebooks
A course by Catarina SobralAuthor, Illustrator, and Director
A course by Catarina Sobral, Author, Illustrator, and Director
Tell an original story using tempo, tension, and plot to create a wordless visual narrative from scratch
Picturebooks are a form of visual storytelling that act as an exercise in synthesis. Oftentimes, what you do see is as important as what you don’t. By considering each and every visual element of a picturebook, you can tell a memorable story that captures a reader’s attention and reflects on some of life’s most interesting moments. Discover the art of picturebooks and learn how to use color, texture, and composition to add plot and tension to your next visual narrative.
In this course, illustrator and author Catarina Sobral teaches you the fundamentals of visual storytelling for editorial projects like picturebooks. From conceptualizing your narrative to making first contact with a publisher, learn the essential steps for creating your own wordless picturebook. Continue to grow as an illustrator or author by exploring tempo and tension, experimenting with new techniques, and producing a printed mock-up of your final project.
What will you learn in this online course?
21 lessons & 28 downloads
What Will We Do in This Course?
2 minutes, 38 seconds
Picture Books: Definition and Mechanics
7 minutes, 56 seconds
Colour Theory
9 minutes, 54 seconds
Composition: Theory and Practice
8 minutes, 55 seconds
Text and Image Interplay
7 minutes, 28 seconds
Materials and Techniques 1
18 minutes, 23 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start your course by getting to know Catarina and listening to her journey as an illustrator. Take a look at some of her work, learn about her influences, and listen to her reflections on the curious nature of visual storytelling.
The process of creating a picturebook starts by pulling from your intuition and knowledge. It’s important to understand the particular characteristics of the format: its objectness, the word/image interplay, a free layout, and the continuum between pages. Using some examples of children’s books, Catarina describes these basic concepts and gives you her recommendations for determining the right colors and compositions.
Then, it’s time to discover the basic techniques for starting your final project. Learn two mixed media techniques and go through how to build a narrative structure, the starting point for establishing the layout and content of your wordless picturebook.
Discover Catarina’s methods for developing a storyboard, experimenting with materials, and completing your first illustration. Throughout this process, pay attention to your emotions and how you feel being the author of your very own picturebook.
Finish the course by learning how to convert your analog illustration into a digital file for editing and post-production. See how to create a dummy version of your final project and get some of Catarina’s tips for pitching your book to a publisher. Challenge yourself by continuing your picturebook and completing the rest of its illustrations.
What is this course's project?
Create an entire storyboard and complete a final illustration for a wordless picturebook using mixed media techniques.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone who wants to draw to communicate meaning, including visual artists, illustrators, designers, art students, and other creatives who are passionate about reading, watching, or telling stories through images.
Requirements and materials
To take this course, you should be comfortable with sketching your ideas. You don’t need to be a professional illustrator, but having some basic drawing skills will be helpful.
You will need a spacious and comfortable workspace, sketching paper (or a sketchbook), mixed media paper, wax oil crayons, markers, colored pencils, a graphite or an oil-based pencil, a low odor solvent suitable for oil, ink, brushes, tape, a scanner and a computer with your image editing software of choice.
Reviews
- 26 days ago
Very nice and useful course, the right amount of information narrated in a light and joyful way
- 8 months ago
Me encanto, la teoría y practica se complementan. Explica muy bien e inspira a seguir creando!
- 8 months ago
Super fun and insightful techniques with new materials!
- 1 year ago
I really enjoyed the playful freedom of this course - the methods shown are useful way to develop skills. Catarina's teaching style was engaging.
- 1 year ago
El curso es precioso. Catarina explica muy bien, enseña varias técnicas sin dejar de ser inspirador. Incluye mucho material de complemento. Súper recomendado!.
Catarina’s work can be seen regularly in illustrations for press, album covers, posters, and of course, picturebooks. Her award-winning picturebooks have been published in 16 different languages and exhibited around the world, gaining recognition from the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, the Portuguese National Illustration Award, the Portuguese Authors’ Society, the White Ravens catalog, and 3x3 magazine.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Introduction
- Influences
- What Will We Do in This Course?
- U2
The Stair - Starting From the Ground, Before Moving Up
- Picture Books: Definition and Mechanics
- Colour Theory
- Composition: Theory and Practice
- Text and Image Interplay
- Materials and Techniques 1
- Materials and Techniques 2
- U3
The Diving Board and The Trapeze - From Above, Before the Jump
- Problem, Solution, Catharsis 1
- Problem, Solution, Catharsis 2
- Storyboard 1
- Storyboard 2
- Vocabulary and Grammar 1
- Vocabulary and Grammar 2
- Final Illustration 1
- Final Illustration 2
- Final Illustration 3
- U4
The Jump... and The Safety Net
- Scanning and Retouching
- Mocking-up
- Children's Book Industry and Final Tips
- FP
Final project
- Experimental Techniques for Picturebooks
What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for those with some illustration experience who want to deepen their skills in picture book creation, visual storytelling, and mixed media techniques.
You'll need basic art supplies such as wax crayons, oil pastels, collage materials, paper (like Fabriano), pens, and digital tools for scanning and Photoshop editing. A computer with image editing software is recommended.
You'll learn to craft wordless narratives, develop a unique illustration style, master color and composition, experiment with mixed media, and create a professional picture book dummy ready for publisher presentation.
Yes, the course includes digital collage methods, scanning artworks, color correction, and integrating textures in Photoshop to enhance your illustrations.
Some prior experience in illustration or visual arts is helpful, but the course provides guided instruction for developing your picture book skills and style.
Key topics include visual storytelling, picture book formats, composition, color theory, mixed media techniques, text-image interplay, storyboarding, and producing a book dummy for publishers.
Throughout the course, you'll develop a storyboard, create sequential illustrations, and assemble a complete picture book dummy for presentation or portfolio use.