Character Creation Workshop

Master children’s book character creation—from concept to colour—with expert illustration insights.

Overview
Creating memorable children’s book characters isn’t about luck—it’s about understanding the process. This course will walk you through the creative development of characters that capture imaginations and sit well within the whimsical worlds they inhabit. From the first sketch to the final stroke of digital colour, you'll be guided through the thinking, planning and design that breathe life into every character.

You’ll explore industry-relevant techniques across six well-structured modules, covering everything from concept research to digital rendering. If your goal is to tell stories through expressive characters, this workshop delivers the structure and guidance to help bring your ideas to the page with style and coherence—no glittery jargon, just strong creative thinking and solid illustration methods.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the fundamentals of children's character design principles.
• Conduct research to inform imaginative, story-driven character ideas.
• Create original character sketches with personality and clarity.
• Apply layout skills for storytelling with strong visual flow.
• Explore colour theory to enhance mood and narrative tone.
• Use digital tools to refine and finalise illustrated characters.

Course Curriculum

• Module 1: Introduction to Illustrating Children’s Book Characters
• Module 2: Research and Concept Development
• Module 3: Sketching and Character Design
• Module 4: Composition and Layout
• Module 5: Colour Theory and Application
• Module 6: Digital Tools and Techniques

Who is this Course For

• Aspiring illustrators interested in children’s character development
• Writers wanting to visually express their story characters
• Designers branching into narrative illustration for kids
• Creative professionals developing children’s digital content
• Animation students aiming to enhance their character design
• Hobbyists keen to sketch lively children’s book characters
• Self-publishing authors wanting control over their illustrations
• Teachers or librarians exploring character design as enrichment

Career Path

• Children’s Book Illustrator – £25,000 to £40,000 per year
• Character Designer (Publishing) – £30,000 to £45,000 per year
• Freelance Illustrator – £20,000 to £50,000 per year
• Concept Artist (Children’s Media) – £28,000 to £42,000 per year
• Visual Development Artist – £30,000 to £48,000 per year
• Digital Illustrator – £26,000 to £38,000 per year