Illustration: Developing Ideas
Course overview
This course runs over 10 weeks during term time only. The focus will differ each term so that you can try new approaches and build a varied portfolio.
Illustration: Developing Ideas focuses on developing solutions for set ideas in illustration, identifying themes that interest you, and developing your self-generated work. This is one of the challenges commonly faced by illustrators starting out, and the exercises in this course will help you identify strengths and what you most enjoy doing. It may open up areas you didn’t think you could use and enable your confidence to grow.
You’ll experience a diverse range of techniques firsthand, from drawing and painting to mixed media and collage, with a sprinkle of printmaking thrown in for good measure. This hands-on approach ensures that you’ll learn the fundamental principles of illustration and develop your unique style and voice.
As you progress through the course, you’ll build a diverse portfolio and lay the groundwork for future endeavours. Whether you’re illustrating for pleasure or aiming to pursue further studies, our Illustration courses offer a stimulating and enriching learning environment tailored to your aspirations.
Tutor Linda Newcombe is an award-winning illustrator and artist whose illustration work is built around drawing, exploring a specific interest in storytelling
You will work through set tasks, short exercises, and longer projects to try different approaches.
Which techniques will be covered?
- The main techniques will be drawing, painting, mixed media and collage, with a bit of printmaking thrown in for good measure!
- This is a hands-on course involving plenty of practical creative drawing and painting work.
- There will be slide lectures, discussions, and handouts covering the basic principles of visual ‘literacy’ with exercises and optional homework for you to test your understanding.
- You will be given set exercises and mini-projects early on, and later in the course you will be able to take on a more personal project.
- There will be opportunities to use different techniques and methods such as printmaking.
Basic materials are supplied, but if you want the best results and experience developing your illustration style, we encourage you to have:
- your own sketchbook
- a set of your own brushes
- your own artist-quality paints: acrylic, gouache, drawing inks etc
- a palette
- some good quality watercolour paper to continue exploring at home.
And don’t forget your old clothes or overalls for those particularly messy sessions!
The course runs over 10 weeks during term time only. The focus will be different each term so that you can try new approaches and build up a varied portfolio.
Join us for our next course, Illustration: Developing Books, and explore the myriad opportunities awaiting you in the world of illustration.
Discover the endless possibilities at City of Oxford College and embark on a creative journey.
Tutor: Linda Newcombe
Linda Newcombe is an award-winning illustrator and artist whose illustration work is based on drawing and explores a specific interest in storytelling.
Alternatively enrol by phone quoting 3AEADEA11R
Meet the tutors
We want our learners to feel welcome, safe and at ease when attending our classes, especially if this is your first time attending an adult education class or if you're coming back to education after a break.
If you're interested in one of courses, meet our tutors first! You'll see they have similar passions and interests and, most importantly, the right qualifications to help you make the most of your time and money.
