Registration is now open for
The Craft and Business of Illustrating
Children's Picture Books

Starting November 3rd for Very Beginning to Award-Winning Illustrators (and adventurous authors)
The A to Z - and more - of Children's Book Illustration as Presented by a Panel of Experts
If you:
  • Have always wanted to illustrate a children’s picture book and were too scared to try or didn’t know how


  • Are an artist ready for some fresh approaches to open new doors in contemporary publishing


  • Are a writer, but not an illustrator, who would like to stretch the other side of your brain, learn new tricks, and understand the full process of picture book production from the illustration point of view from idea or manuscript to publication in a safe and supportive environment (and possibly open new doors)


  • Are a professional artist with a project in mind that you’d like help with during the course or someone who would like to develop fresh illustration ideas and techniques with new portfolio pieces for new business

Then this is the course you've been searching for!

The Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's Picture Books is a 5 week HIGHLY INTERACTIVE size-limited course that covers all of the following:

  • Work with your own ideas or select from a series of inspirational prompts to either create a black and white dummy (mock-up) of a children's book and color sample, or 2 professional portfolio pieces.
  • Critique and be critiqued in your own small private Facebook critique group with other like minds.
  • Receive the option for a heavily discounted one-hour one-on-one critique with me
  • Receive cutting edge news and support in our interactive - and very active - own private whole-class group
  • Be able to ask questions and receive answers in a live weekly webinar with both pre-written and spontaneous questions that will also be recorded for later viewing for those who can’t attend as well as on Facebook or via email
  • Learn from and enjoy over 30 lessons on just about everything you need to know for a successful career as a children’s book author and/or illustrator
  • Incorporate multi-modal approaches to learning including written articles, "how to" demonstrations, and handy-dandy keep forever worksheets and handouts
  • Build greater confidence in your illustrating skills and business understanding to receive the kind of results many other students have.

Meet Your Teachers/Guides

       Kristine Brogno/Chronicle Books             Mira Reisberg PhD, CBA             Mandy Yates/Reading Expert
Every course we like to switch it up, add new materials, new guests and often new co-instructors. This course is no exception. In this particular course, the fabulous Mandy Yates will be assisting as usual (bravo Mandy!!) PLUS.... Wait for it.... KRISTINE BROGNO, Chronicle Books' (who happen to be one of the most innovative children's book publishers in the world with exquisite books) Design Director and Art Director Extraordinaire!!! Kristine is an expert in all areas of children's book illustration and design and although she is not representing Chronicle Books, she will be bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience into the course environment, particularly in the weekly live webinar art critiques (which are also recorded for students later viewing :).

Mira Reisberg is a multi-published award-winning children's book illustrator and author whose books have sold over 600,000 copies. She has worked as an art director, editor, designer, university professor teaching kid lit writing and illustrating courses as well as teacher ed, and as a literary agent. She has a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies with a focus on children's literature.

Mandy Yates is a school reading specialist and with both regular teaching credentials and an MFA in Writing Children's Literature. She also happens to be a budding artist with a passion for children's book art.

The Craft and Business of Illustrating
Children's Picture Books is a once in a lifetime opportunity and yet it is a truly affordable one for all that you receive!!!

Picture
The BIG BONUS comes with EVERYTHING HERE AND MUCH MORE for only 339 (will be 379 starting October 13th)
Picture
The I AM READY FOR SUCCESS PACKAGE WITH MIRA comes with EVERYTHING HERE PLUS a possibly life-changing one-hour live Skype critique of your work and career with Mira. Click here to register for one of the few remaining spots that also comes with a FREE Photoshop for Children's Book Illustrators e-course, the course and the one-hour critique for only 489  :) Hurry as there are only a limited number of these available!!
Picture
The I AM READY FOR SUCCESS PACKAGE WITH KRISTINE comes with EVERYTHING HERE PLUS a possibly life-changing one-hour live Skype critique of your work and career with Kristine. Click here to register for one of the few spots. Comes with a FREE 4-week Photoshop for Children's Book Illustrators e-course, the course and the one-hour critique for only 489  :) Hurry as there are only a limited number of these available!!
Want More? There's lots. You'll also receive access to:
  • Exclusive insider videos of top illustrators' studio tours where they show and tell you why they have set up their studios the way that they have

  • Bonus materials on the need for and demonstrations of how to create black and white illustrations for chapter books and illustrated middle grades!

  • Experience an exclusive insider video tour led by brilliant Chronicle Books editor Melissa Manlove who shows and tells what really goes on in a major children's book publishing house!

  • Wonderful technique demonstrations from artists such as Julie Downing, Ashley Wolff and others

    No other course can offer more from a more talented group of creatives. Registering for The Craft and Business of Illustrating Children's  Books is a genuinely useful investment in your career with a priceless return on your investment.
Picture
Remember, The Big Bonus comes with EVERYTHING YOU SEE HERE AND MUCH MORE!! Take advantage of this time-sensitive offer by clicking right here!! Smart creatives pay only 339 right now instead of 379 (super discount ends October 13th)
Picture

The I Am Ready for Success with EVERYTHING ABOVE PLUS a one-on-one one hour LIVE critique with Mira and a free Photoshop course. Only 489 with this link
Picture
The I Am Ready for Success package with EVERYTHING ABOVE PLUS a one-on-one one hour LIVE critique with Chronicle Books' Senior Designer and art director extraordinaire KRISTINE BROGNO plus a free 4 week Photoshop course. Only 489 with this link
Some of Mira's awesome students' published books:

Who are these gorgeous people?

Ashley Wolff                                                         Bryan Collier                                                     Maya Gonzalez                                  
Julie Downing                                                       Jim Averbeck                                                      Yuyi Morales  
  TBA                                                                        John Hendrix                                                     Lisa Brown
Maria Van Lieshout                                               Gianna Marino                                                   Lea Lyon
Art Director
Laurent Linn
Editor
Shauna Rossano
Editor
Melissa Manlove
Agent
Mela Bolinao
Check back for other exciting folks including Kristin Abbottt
Mark Mitchell
and.....
Above are just some of our expert guest contributors who will speak to you in custom created videos! They'll be sharing their perspectives on everything from art tips and secrets on how they have built their careers, conceptual versus narrative illustration, researching and illustrating non-fiction, what happens inside a publishing house, what they look for in submissions, creating an illustrator's platform to make you more attractive to publishers and so much more.

Now if you're wondering: "What exactly will I learn?"
Here's a quick peek:

Week One: Book structures, Portfolio samples and dummies, Illustration prompts ,Easy peasy drawing with shapes, Thumbnails, Interviews with awesome experts, and Live Q&A Webinar with follow up recording!
Week Two: The Hero image, Getting in character, Transfer Techniques, Watercolors, Figure Drawing, Body Language, Facial Expressions, Setting up Your Studio, Composition, Easy peasy light and shade, Incongruence, Critiques, More Interviews, and Another Live Q&A Webinar with follow up recording!
Week Three: Urban and nature settings, World building Perspective, Tricks for consistency, Acrylics and mixed media, Color theory, Agents, Reps, Editors, and Art Directors - which one is for me?, Writing your cover or query letter, Critiques, Interviews with awesome experts, Live Q&A Webinar with follow up recording!
Week Four: Drawing and loving animals, Glorious black and white, Anthropomorphism pros and cons, 2nd visual stories, Beyond animals - unusual protagonists, Great animal characters, The kiss of love - The importance of showing emotions and relationships, Interviews with awesome experts, Live Q&A Webinar with follow up recording!
Week Five: The art of submission, Samples, tear sheets and postcards, Publishing, Contracts, Digital Illustration, Easy peasy Photoshop, Making Connections, The mechanics of printing - 4 Color Process Printing and Bleeds, What makes a New York Times bestseller?, Social media for illustrators, Interviews with awesome experts, Live Q&A Webinar with follow up recording!
EVEN MORE BONUSES INCLUDE:
• Exclusive opportunities to submit to editors, agents, and art directors
• Lots of worksheets, instructions, and videos for learning how to draw (beginners) and how to develop new moves
• Children's literature art lesson plans for teachers, moms, and homeschoolers
• Instruction in building your own illustrator's website and social media platform
Picture

The course is designed for busy people and set up to be time-flexible with additional content access at the end. You can go as fast or as slow as you like. The only time commitment to the course is to post your critique of your 2 group critique members each week in your optional critique groups. Don’t worry, I will be providing easy critique guidelines.

Children's Book Academy Results

Many of Mira's students have received contract offers, re-energized their careers, and/or landed agents. Former students have won just about every award except for the Caldecott and Coretta Scott King awards (Mira is convinced that due to the talented nature of the students, this is just a matter of time) and agents are responding super favorably to graduates' work!!!  Recently at the 2013 SCWBI North/California Central Spring Spirit Conference all three winners of the portfolio competition were Mira’s students.

How do I register again?

Click here for the SUPER DISCOUNT BIG BONUS!!!
Or click here for the I AM READY FOR SUCCESS PACKAGE WITH MIRA!!!
Or click here for the I AM READY FOR SUCCESS PACKAGE WITH KRISTINE BROGNO!!!
We cant wait to work with you!!!
Because of logistics, all Children's Book Academy sales are final. Mira's courses have been described as, "Life-changing and totally empowering."
To share about our exciting offerings, simply click on one of the icons on the bottom right! We'd LOVE it!! : )
All of Mira Reisberg's content on this website is copyrighted 2014. Please credit with acknowledgement and a link back here if shared on the web.