From Pencil or Paint to Pixel: A Two-Night Mini for Beginning Illustrators

Faculty: Courtney Pippin-Mathur

Special guest on Night Two: Aram Kim

OVERVIEW:

A Two-Night Mini Online Course

Beginning illustrators can join children’s book author/illustrator Courtney Pippin-Mathur to talk about approaches to using different media (traditional and/or digital) in your illustrations, and special guest Aram Kim for ten tips about submitting work to an art director (tradition and/or digital).  This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information.

• Tuesday, June 6, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm EST)
• Thursday, June 8, 2023 (7pm – 8:15pm EST)
• Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
• Recordings available until July 31, 2023

Feedback Expected:

• None is included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

Knowing yourself, your subject, and your passions will help you decide which media (or combination of media) is best for your illustration projects.

In these webinars, beginning illustrators will learn how to play with all media types from pencil to paint to pixels, and find which one allows their current project to shine.

Join Courtney Pippin-Mathur to look at contemporary examples of media and styles in picture books.  Then you’ll take an in-depth look at Courtney’s style, which combines traditional watercolor (and occasionally gouache and acrylic) with Procreate and Photoshop.

You’ll also hear from art director, author, and illustrator Aram Kim on the second evening, who will share ten tips about submitting work to an art director (tradition and/or digital).

In addition, Aram and Courtney will open the session to questions from students.

During this two-night mini workshop, you’ll see:

• Advantages and disadvantages of various forms of media
• Contemporary stand-outs that use traditional and/or digital styles
• Problem-solving strategies to use as you add Procreate and/or Photoshop to your artist toolkit
• Considerations for personal style and “branding”
• Advice for moving between multiple media

IT’S A GREAT FIT IF:

• You are starting out as a picture book illustrator or author/illustrator, and are looking for beginning information about techniques and styles.
• You are considering illustrating a picture book for children, and want to learn about contemporary picture book artists and their techniques.
• You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop; they are short sessions meant to engage and spark illustration ideas.

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course.  Recordings will be available until July 31, 2023.

Part One: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)

• Illustrating a Picture Book: An Overview with Courtney-Pippin Mathur
  • View contemporary examples
  • Understanding the process— from idea (or assignment) to finished product
• A guide for beginners to techniques with Courtney-Pippin Mathur
  • Traditional
  • Digital
• Reflection: Consider your strengths and the project with Courtney-Pippin Mathur

Part Two: Thursday, June 8, 2023 (7pm-8:15pm EST)

• Virtual Demo: From Pencil and Paint to Pixel with Courtney-Pippin Mathur
  • Begin with a draft, and take it through the Procreate process
  • Join Courtney in the traditional technique by bringing your pencil and paint (watercolor, gouache, or acrylic) along to the Zoom session!
• Ten Tips for Submitting to an Art Director (tradition and/or digital) with Aram Kim
• Q&A with Aram and Courtney
• Information about optional critiques

Please note: The demo will be presented on Courtney’s Apple products.

HOW IT IMPACTS KIDS:

Illustrations bring stories to life.  By infusing your style into techniques that can bring your art to kids, you can impact their relationships with stories and their lives.

Why do we mention this? Learn about the Highlights Foundation mission.

RELATED RESOURCES

#HFGather: Steve Light Pen & Ink Drawing Demo
#HFGather: Shadra Strickland and Pat Cummings Talk Color, Light and Process
The Weird, Wonderful Wandering Ways of Watercolor

FROM OUR COMMUNITY:

“[Courtney was] super prepared. Tons of examples from her own and others’ work. Transparent about her process.”

“The teacher is wonderful. Learned the difference between using traditional media and digital pros and cons of both. Wonderful.”

“Drawing on a tablet doesn’t need to be as daunting as it seems. I was really concerned before about the learning curve with a new program.”