Design Outdoor Scenes for Picture Books
Do you want to illustrate books, but get stuck drawing more complicated environments?
Learn the ins and outs of designing environments for picture books in this in-depth class with award winning picture book author and illustrator Mirka Hokkanen.
Skill level: Beginner/ Intermediate
Class length: 2 hr 55min
2 Enrollment Options
One-time Purchase:
Get lifetime access to this course with the one-time purchase option. No Subscription fees. 100% self-paced, so you can watch the pre-recorded videos on your own schedule.
$35
Enroll with Skillshare:
With a Skillshare membership, you’ll get access to my entire class catalog, including this class. New members can unlock a free one-month trial.
$168/year
(Price varies by countries)
In this class you will:
Learn how to create a focal point for a piece
Learn how to move a viewer's eye with shapes and lines.
Learn design principles to help you make decisions
Learn how to balance in an illustration
Learn how to light your scene for different times of the day
Learn how to take a chaotic reference photo and create an organized illustration from it
Learn how to choose the best point of view for your illustration
Lessons in the class:
- Class Project
- Create a Focal Point
- Balance a Composition
- Movement, Variety & Unity in Composition
- How Shapes Convey Feelings
- Creating Depth in an Illustration
- Point of View
- How to Light a Scene
- Artistic Liberties: Level of Abstraction
- Artistic Liberties: Creating Organization
- Artistic Liberties: Colors
- Encouragement and Final Thoughts
Included in this class
21 video lessons, 2 hrs 55min of content
Handout with list of books used as examples and the story of the Little Red Hen to use as reference if you don’t have your own story to work on.
This class is for beginning and intermediate illustrators.
This class is perfect for beginner and intermediate illustrators wanting to illustrate picture books for kids. Mirka uses examples from her own work and from other picture books to illustrate each lesson, and we’ll complete 5 simple exercises to help you build up your skills.
Class Project
The class includes 5 small exercises that build on each other. You can work in any media that you are comfortable with: digital or pencil and paper.
The first three 10-15 min exercises will have you working on thumbnails for a picture book scene from different angles.
The fourth and fifth exercises will take you deeper into into one chosen thumbnail, first to add lighting, values and details, and then to make a final illustration out of it.
The exercises are sprinkled in between the lessons so that as you are learning new things, you’ll be immediately able to apply it to your work. It makes learning more memorable and interactive.
Meet Your Teacher:
People always told me that I should illustrate picture books, but I was afraid of failing and didn’t know where to start. It wasn’t until having kids and reading 100’s of picture books that a fire was lit inside me to create the same book-joy that I felt when reading with my kids.
I want to show you how you can begin your picture book journey to feel the same joy and fulfillment that I’ve received. Gather your supplies, and let’s begin on this wonderful journey into the world of picture books!
- Mirka Hokkanen
What Students Are Saying
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I love her genuine style of teaching and would go ahead and take the other courses she is offering. Thanks.
Helena V.
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I learned a lot from this class. I am grateful for the specific and applicable tips and tricks as well as getting a peek into her own creative process. I will definitely be watching more of her classes.
Jamie B.
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I absolutely love the way Mirka teaches. The way she takes you through the lessons feels so intuitive and fun
Marzieh A.
2 Enrollment Options
One-time Purchase:
Get lifetime access to this course with the one-time purchase option. No Subscription fees. 100% self-paced, so you can watch the pre-recorded videos on your own schedule.
$35
Enroll with Skillshare:
With a Skillshare membership, you’ll get access to my entire class catalog, including this class. New members can unlock a free one-month trial.
