Picturebook Illustration: Explore Color and Composition

Develop eye-catching illustrations for picturebooks by using harmonious structures and a consistent color palette while experimenting with textures and media

• Introduction
• Taking a Closer Look
• Inspiration and Design
• The Illustration
• A Gateway
• Final project

Children’s book illustration offers the freedom to create visual worlds that have never been seen before. Melissa Castrillón, an award-winning illustrator specializing in picturebooks, uses a unique blend of vivid colors and playful compositions that invite readers on an adventure from the first page. She’s illustrated over 25 book covers and more than ten picturebooks, including three of her own, which have been translated into more than 20 languages.

In this online course, learn color and composition techniques to draw eye-catching picturebook illustrations. Melissa teaches how to design an imaginary character and setting based on a story idea, as well as how to captivate the reader’s attention and guide them on a visual journey using harmonious structures and vibrant layers of color. Create bold compositions that stand out on the bookshelves.

• About Me
• Influences
• An Introduction to Picture Books
• Visual Devices
• Creating a Composition
• Using Colour
• How to Find a Story
• Creating the Setting
• Developing the Character
• Arranging the Final Composition and Colour
• The Artwork: First Layer
• The Artwork: Second and Third Layer
• Making It Digital
• Last Touches
• Developing It Further
• Promotion
• Picturebook Illustration: Explore Color and Composition