Writing and Illustration of a Non-Fiction Picturebook

Begin the course by getting to know author, illustrator, and director Catarina Sobral. She talks through the journey that led her to craft award-winning picturebooks that have been published in 16 different languages. Find out about the influences which inspire her work.

Dive into what a non-fiction picturebook is, using examples to explore the different formats they can take. Learn how to incorporate Catarina’s key concepts for non-fiction picturebooks into your work. She discusses the importance of universality, permeability, and affectivity for appealing to a wide audience. Then start sketching your first spread, and later the glossary, experimenting with color, shapes, and contrast.

Time to warm up your drawing and writing skills! Learn a new illustration technique designed for spot color printing, using both digital and analogue tools. Then explore how to structure a non-fiction text. Catarina guides you through how to write a captivating first line, how to create intentional page breaks, when to end your story, and more.

Put what you’ve learned into practice, starting by choosing a theme for your story. Dive into the writing part of your project by using Catarina’s advice to create a glossary full of fun, yet surprising concepts. Then start sketching your double-page spread, and later the glossary, experimenting with color, shapes, and spacing.

Add the finishing touches to your artwork. Paint your designs using analogue techniques, before scanning and coloring them digitally in Photoshop or InDesign. To finish the course, Catarina looks at another format for editorial children’s illustration to help you build on the skills you’ve learned.