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Course Description

Duration: 6 weeks

       Image by Celia Krampien

This studio course explores the creative process of illustrating picture books for children. Students will learn key conceptual and technical skills to create effective and original illustrations. Topics include character design, composition, colour theory, visual narrative techniques, business basics, and more. Classwork may be executed in an array of media including gouache, acrylic paint, pen and ink, watercolour, collage, or digital software. Students will also learn to digitize traditionally created illustrations using Adobe Photoshop. Studio work will be supported by technical demonstrations, presentations, and critique.

NOTE: The use of generative AI to create illustrations is not permitted in this course. Access to Adobe Photoshop is not required to complete course work. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Understand the different types of children’s books and learn how to categorize their own ideas,
  • Familiarize the structure and terminology of a book,
  • Apply new knowledge and technical skills in their illustrations,
  • Implement different image/text relationships in their work.

50% Off Adobe CC License
When you enrol in a course with the School of Continuing Studies, get a 6-month Adobe Creative Cloud License at 50% off. That’s $36 per month. Simply add Adobe CC to your cart when you register for a course and start creating.
 

 

FIND OUT MORE

Instructor Profile: Celia Krampien
Celia teaches this course and Intermediate Children’s Book Illustration Studio.

Student Profile: Frances V. Reilly
Frances is a comics artist/illustrator and historian. She is the author of graphic novel The Harrowing Tales of La Corriveau. Frances took Children’s Book Illustration Studio and Comics And Graphic Novels Studio.

 

 

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in

Section Title
Children’s Book Illustration Studio
Type
Online
Dates
Sep 09, 2026 to Oct 20, 2026
Schedule and Location
View Details
Contact Hours
18.0
Delivery Options
Online  
Course Fee(s)
Course Fee non-credit $625.00
Additional Fee(s)
Adobe CC $275.94 Optional
Potential Discount(s)
Instructors
Required Software/Supplies
Students are responsible for purchasing their own supplies. Regular access to a computer with a webcam and microphone, high speed broadband internet connection, and a digital camera or smartphone is required. For online Adobe classes, students are responsible for purchasing their own software for class. Trial versions of the software are sometimes available on the company website, but at this time there are no discounts available for Continuing Studies students.

Section Notes

Online courses are delivered in an asynchronous format through a series of tutorials and related assignments which students may complete at their own pace on our Learning Management System, Canvas. The instructor is available throughout the course time period for questions and discussions. Learn more about what to expect in a Continuing Studies online course at OCAD U.

Important: Online courses have firm start and end dates. Each assignment has its own deadline. Extensions are not granted.

As a Continuing Studies student, you will receive an OCAD U user account, which will grant you access to Canvas, and our on-campus WiFi network. Your Canvas account will be enabled one week prior to the start date of your course. Please log in at https://canvascloud.ocadu.ca. If you do not know your OCAD U User ID, please check your registration confirmation email. You can reset your password here: https://login.ocadu.ca/forgot. If you need further help, please contact us at continuingstudies@ocadu.ca

After enrolling in a course, please allow up to 5 hours for your student data to migrate to Canvas.

Please note that courses may fill up early or be cancelled due to low enrollment. Students are encouraged to register early, at least ten (10) days prior to the start date of the course.