Instructor Celia Krampien
Celia Krampien is an author, illustrator, and educator. She has been creating illustrations for newspapers, magazines and children's books since 2013. Celia teaches Children’s Book Illustration Studio and Intermediate Children’s Book Illustration Studio.
Could you talk about the value and relevance of illustration for children’s books at a time when the presence of digital and AI-generated images is ubiquitous in visual culture?
Children’s books are often a young person’s first introduction to the joys of reading and can have a huge impact on their imagination, their critical thinking, how they understand themselves and the world around them. In children’s books, illustrations are more than just visuals that decorate the page, they play an integral part of telling the story and should be created with this intention. While AI visuals may now be generated with a few keystrokes, it cannot replace the understanding of how illustrations contribute to a story, the lived human experience required to inform our illustrations, or the authentic perspective needed for our work to both engage and resonate with our youngest readers.
© Celia Krampien, Digital Illustration, 2026. Cover for REMEMBER ME, DAPHNE published by Simon & Schster, Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Illustrated by Celia Krampien, art direction and design by Lauren Rille.
The Children’s Book Illustration Studio course is for students of all experience levels who want to write and illustrate their own children’s books. The course aims to meet students where they’re at while guiding the development of a unique concept into a work-in-progress storyboard with one finished illustration. After each stage of development, students receive feedback, reflect on their work, and use these insights to inform their next steps. Project development is supported by course material about fundamental skills like composition, colour theory, storyboarding, visual narrative techniques, and character design as well as an overview of the different forms of children’s books, the children’s book industry, and different methods of publishing.
The Intermediate Children’s Book Illustration Studio is aimed at those who have written a story, created a storyboard, and are now interested in pursuing publishing or working as a children’s book illustrator in some form. This course expands on the first, guiding students through turning their completed storyboard into a finished picture book dummy or book pitch while also creating three sequential illustrations. The course material supports this work by touching on more advanced skills and topics like how to use illustration to convey narrative, crafting consistent characters, creating eye-catching book cover designs, developing an effective portfolio, working with clients, the pros and cons of different forms of publishing, the role of literary agents, how to contact publishers, and more.
© Celia Krampien, Digital Illustration, 2026. Interior illustration from REMEMBER ME, DAPHNE published by Simon & Schster, Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Illustrated by Celia Krampien, art direction by Lauren Rille
Could you elaborate on the importance of the structure of a children’s book, and the role of storyboarding and character design?
Creating a children’s book is a lengthy process during which a lot of planning and exploration is often done before the final text and illustrations are created. Determining the form and structure of the book, creating a well-considered storyboard, and taking the time to explore the design of the story’s characters creates a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of the book. The work done during these early steps allows the creator (as well as potential clients) to begin envisioning the final work and ensure the execution is strong and well-considered.
In your teaching experience, how does taking an illustration course enrich people’s observation and problem-solving skills by learning from new approaches and perspectives?
As a working illustrator myself, I’m always looking for ways to expand my understanding of the craft and challenge myself. Taking an illustration course can be a great way to improve skills, learn new ways to approach a project, get one-on-one feedback, expand knowledge and understanding, learn new applications for the work, or even just feel motivated to tackle a project or try something new.
© Celia Krampien, Digital Illustration, 2023. Cover illustration for FIONA BUILDS A FAIRY HOUSE written by Kristen Dickson, published by Macmillan, Roaring Brook Press. Illustrated by Celia Krampien, art direction and design by Mina Chung and Naomi Silverio.
In your teaching experience, how does taking an illustration course enrich people’s observation and problem-solving skills by learning from new approaches and perspectives?
As a working illustrator myself, I’m always looking for ways to expand my understanding of the craft and challenge myself. Taking an illustration course can be a great way to improve skills, learn new ways to approach a project, get one-on-one feedback, expand knowledge and understanding, learn new applications for the work, or even just feel motivated to tackle a project or try something new.
© Celia Krampien, Digital Illustration, 2023. Cover illustration for THE BELLWOODS GAME published by Simon & Schuster, Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Illustrated by Celia Krampien, art direction and design by Lauren Rille.
What are some upcoming projects you are working on or are looking forward to developing?
I’m currently wrapping up work on my first graphic novel for young readers and beginning work on that first draft of a new illustrated novel aimed at ages 8-12. I’d like to spend more time creating for myself, trying out some new methods, and challenging myself to work outside my comfort zone.
