an online course focusing on
creating digitally painted illustrations for your portfolio
Build your illustration portfolio with us by learning digital painting skills that will bring your work to the next level.
You'll learn how to stylistically strengthen your portfolio and build narrative and emotional images that will become the core pieces of your picture book illustration portfolio.
You'll learn how to stylistically strengthen your portfolio and build narrative and emotional images that will become the core pieces of your picture book illustration portfolio.
featured Guest Speakers
Dr. Mira Reisberg (she/her) is the Director of the Children's Book Academy and an award-winning children's book illustrator and author. With a PhD in Education and Cultural Studies focused on children's books, she has worn just about every hat in the industry. Mira has been instrumental in helping many authors and illustrators get published. She brings a wealth of knowledge and teaching expertise from 27 years of prior experience in the industry.
Charlene Chua (she/they) is an award-winning illustrator of several picture books, four of which were released just this year, including "AMY WU AND THE WARM WELCOME", "BYE BYE, BINARY", "LOVE, VIOLET" and "MY LALA". She also illustrated the book "PINKIE PROMISES," written by Democratic Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren. Her books have been nominated for OLA Blue Spruce & Silver Birch, Lambda Literary Awards, USBBY Outstanding International Books, Shining Willow Award, and others.
Charlene's author/illustrator debut, Hug? was published by Kids Can Press in 2020.
Charlene's author/illustrator debut, Hug? was published by Kids Can Press in 2020.
Chantelle & Burgen Thorne are internationally published illustrators with over 25 years' experience in publishing. The two are now focusing on picture books for children with several titles being released this year. The magic of children’s books is that they’re not just for kids. Avid bookworms themselves, they take great delight in the visual storytelling of picture books, art and text working together, every word and every image adding to the reader’s experience.
Loveis Wise (they/them) is an artist and illustrator from Washington, D.C. currently residing in Los Angeles. Loveis' work is centered around liberation and joy — inspired by their chosen family and community. Their constant world-making of playful dreamscapes has allowed them to create a distinctly recognizable style and palette, which offers a brilliant ability for narrative story-telling through digital and traditional art making. Loveis has collaborated with brands and publications such as Google, Apple, Red Bull, The New Yorker, Warby Parker, Twitter, REI, among many others.
Let me show you how incredibly easy digital illustration can be!
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You will learn:
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You will learn how to use digital paint programs such as Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint and Procreate where your new skills will also apply to other paint programs.
Do good for both your career and others by registering today.
Not only will you radically improve your drawing, understanding of color and texture, and digital skills, but your membership in this course will also help provide a free education to any identifying Black artist through sponsorships from donors and your registration fees. Our goal is to provide growth opportunities to all students through mentoring and critical feedback. If you would like to help Black artists, please register now as your registration will provide a scholarship for one talented Black artist.
Are you an identifying Black artist? Click here to apply for a Twitter Voices Scholarship!
Interested in supporting a Black art student?
You can help cover the costs of the course in partial amounts or you can fully fund the registration for one Black artist here.
TESTIMONIALS:
"Larissa has gone so far above and beyond for me. She’s ...the best art teacher I’ve ever had.
Every comment she makes, every technique she shares is so deeply rooted in knowledge that she’s somehow able to teach breadth and depth simultaneously, giving a foundation of art knowledge that is integrated and engaging.
Her critiques are completely spot-on, showing me where I’m going wrong with pieces that are frustrating me, and showing me how to enhance the ones that I’m already proud of. The kindness and compassion with which she critiques means that I have never felt wounded by her comments, only energized by the learning. Her guidance and support helped carry me to a point where I’ve signed with an agent and am truly ready to start sending my books out into the world." -- Emily Chibwana
"Many years ago, Larissa was my student. But then I realized I needed a teacher and nurturing too. It has been so wonderful being a part of OC Arts and watching my own work and others blossom and improve with Larissa's help. She truly is a magician, and I can't believe all that she does. I can't wait for her to get all the successes and accolades that she deserves. -- Dr. Mira Reisberg, Children's Book Academy
You can help cover the costs of the course in partial amounts or you can fully fund the registration for one Black artist here.
TESTIMONIALS:
"Larissa has gone so far above and beyond for me. She’s ...the best art teacher I’ve ever had.
Every comment she makes, every technique she shares is so deeply rooted in knowledge that she’s somehow able to teach breadth and depth simultaneously, giving a foundation of art knowledge that is integrated and engaging.
Her critiques are completely spot-on, showing me where I’m going wrong with pieces that are frustrating me, and showing me how to enhance the ones that I’m already proud of. The kindness and compassion with which she critiques means that I have never felt wounded by her comments, only energized by the learning. Her guidance and support helped carry me to a point where I’ve signed with an agent and am truly ready to start sending my books out into the world." -- Emily Chibwana
"Many years ago, Larissa was my student. But then I realized I needed a teacher and nurturing too. It has been so wonderful being a part of OC Arts and watching my own work and others blossom and improve with Larissa's help. She truly is a magician, and I can't believe all that she does. I can't wait for her to get all the successes and accolades that she deserves. -- Dr. Mira Reisberg, Children's Book Academy
