Picture Book 101: An introduction to creating picture books for beginners

January 15 - March 5, 2025

Wednesdays, 8 weeks, 5:30-7pm

Instructor: Beth Bacon

Do you love illustrating—and storytelling? Have you ever wanted to create a picture book and combine both of these skills? In this 8-week class, we will explore the basic techniques needed in creating picture books. We will analyze some of today’s most successful picture books. We will also look at a case study of how a real-life picture book progressed from a manuscript to a published book. After this workshop you will know more about: story structure, book dummies, page turns and pacing, beginning and endings, using perspective to create drama, and how different types of illustrations and layouts can create mood, suspense, and reader engagement. You will have the chance to write your own story and create a "storyboard" to map out the illustrations. Some of the topics we dive into:

• Illustration & Storyboarding: Discussing how the text will work in conjunction with illustrations and whether the story allows for visual storytelling.

• Plot and Story Arc: Ensuring the narrative is clear, engaging, and age-appropriate, with a strong beginning, middle, and end.

• Theme and Message: Ensuring the underlying message is suitable and resonates with the target age group.

Prerequisites: None. Open to writers of all levels.

Supplies: Students bring their own Laptop/tablet or writing/sketching paper, pencil/pen, illustration supplies. Illustrators may want to download Procreate or Fresco illustration apps for their tablet, or can just bring sketch paper. 

See syllabus below for the plan for each week of class!

$100 Members | $140 Non-Members

If you must cancel, please email (info@stlouisartistsguild.org) or call STLAG. A refund will be given only if cancellation occurs seven days prior to the first day of class. No exceptions. Refunds will be processed minus a $25 withdrawal fee per course registration.

St. Louis Artists Guild is committed to providing educational experiences to as many people as possible. We are pleased to offer sliding-scale scholarships to make classes and workshops more accessible to our community, adults & children. If you are interested in scholarship information please contact Kathryn Nahorski, Membership and Development Director, at knahorski@stlouisartistsguild.org