Learn everything you need to know to become a children's book illustrator!

Enrollment for the Winter 2023 is closed.

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Get all the tools and training you need to become a professional children's book illustrator!

In this comprehensive 10-week course, we will show you a clear path to telling great stories with your illustrations. Will, Jake and Lee together have illustrated more than 70 children's books and will show you step-by-step EXACTLY how to go about it. You will see each of their specific working techniques and find the one that matches how YOU want to work. They will go over each phase of illustrating a book - and what to watch out for!

The Most Comprehensive Children's Book Illustration Course Available

Here's a few things that set us apart:

  • Taught by 3 top-tier professional children's book illustrators

  • Access to private Discord group where you can share with other students! You will meet people from all over the world and be able to get group feedback on your work week by week

  • True "start-to-finish" class guiding students to finished portfolio pieces

  • Guided assignments and checklists so you always know what comes next

  • Weekly Zoom session with the instructors allowing you to ask any questions you may have during the course

  • Step-by-step process detailing the Planning, Production, and Publishing phases of illustrating a children's book

  • Easy-to-understand actionable assignments

  • Over 20 hours of demos, lectures, and teaching content

What's included:

  • Premium Course Content

    10 weeks of premium video content to guide you step-by-step through the process of illustrating a children's book

  • Live Zoom Sessions

    10 group Zoom sessions with the instructors to ask all your burning questions

  • Exclusive Discord Community

    A platform for students to meet fellow classmates, get feedback on work, or just hang out

  • Free Bonus Classes

    5 free bonus classes to help build a strong foundation in basic illustration skills, a $1500 value

  • Finished Manuscripts

    3 finished manuscripts to choose from, in case you need a story to illustrate

  • Expert instructors

    3 professional illustrators to help guide you step-by-step through the process of illustrating a children's book

Bonus Courses Included with Children's Book Pro

How to Draw Everything

Basic Perspective

Visualizing Drawing in Perspective

Light and Shadow 

Unique and Appealing Character Design


Here's what they're saying!

5 star rating

Everything you need!

Kajsa Hallström

This was an amazingly comprehensive course and with three experienced teachers who each give their own perspective is so valuable. I'm going to go back and r...

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This was an amazingly comprehensive course and with three experienced teachers who each give their own perspective is so valuable. I'm going to go back and retake several of these classes in the future, as I progress. Even though I already work in the industry, I felt I learnt a bunch. It's a real deep dive into the world of creating amazing children's books! Thank you guys for creating this!

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5 star rating

Children's Book Pro is amazing!

Eric Housel

This class was my first experience using SVS Learn. I completed the class in my spare time and learned a lot. As always, Will, Jake, and Lee did an awesome ...

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This class was my first experience using SVS Learn. I completed the class in my spare time and learned a lot. As always, Will, Jake, and Lee did an awesome teaching. Well worth the cost, and I plan on taking it again, along with new (to me) classes at SVS Learn. Thanks guys! The journey continues.

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5 star rating

Incredible Course!

Jeremy Ross

The wisdom of 3 prolific artists offer a lifetime of learning in just 10-weeks leaving you breathless. After being an SVS subscriber for almost 2 years, I ca...

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The wisdom of 3 prolific artists offer a lifetime of learning in just 10-weeks leaving you breathless. After being an SVS subscriber for almost 2 years, I can wholeheartedly say Children’s Book Pro is by far the most comprehensive course available, which absolutely opened my eyes to so many ideas, process improvements, differing methodologies and provided me with insights to help me pursue my writing and artistic ventures on a whole new level. I’m especially grateful for finding the SVS community through the 3-Point Perspective Podcast and for the amazing opportunity to enroll in the first-ever Children’s Book Pro course. As a 42 year old husband and father just beginning to explore making children’s books part-time, this course is an invaluable resource and roadmap to keep me working towards my dreams of being a successful children’s book illustrator.

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5 star rating

Best course ever!

Elsabé Brink

Informative, fun and extremely condensed with information. Having live Q&A zoom sessions and a pear group available keeps one motivated and on track as o...

Read More

Informative, fun and extremely condensed with information. Having live Q&A zoom sessions and a pear group available keeps one motivated and on track as opposed to an online course that is completed in your own time and forgotten when schedules get busy. Great setup! Very professional and informative leaders. Thanks guys!

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How The Class Works

Once you enroll, you will automatically get a student account where you will access the class.

This is where you will find all the class content, the 5 bonus courses and the invite to the private discord group. (Please note the main course content will be released on a weekly basis once the course officially kicks off Feb 16.

Once the start date arrives, each week's content will be released for you to watch on your own schedule. You'll also have the opportunity to join a live Zoom session with the instructors to ask any questions you may have.

As scheduled, the class takes 10 full weeks to complete. But you'll still have access to the content once the class is over so you can take all the time you need : ) 

About the Instructors

Illustrator/Cartoonist Jake Parker

For the last 19 years Jake has worked on everything from animated films to comics to picture books. For several years he worked for Reel FX and Blue Sky Studios on such projects as Horton Hears a Who, Rio, and Epic. He is the creator of the popular Inktober drawing challenge. Jake currently works as an illustrator and cartoonist on children's books and comics. He works out of his home studio in Arizona.

Illustrator Extraodinare Lee White

Lee White is a children's book illustrator based in Colorado. He has been illustrating books for the past 20 years and has over 30 titles to his name. His latest book, This Pretty Planet, was released in November 2020. He also teaches all his painting secrets at SVSLearn.com and workshops around the country.

Illustrator Will Terry

Will Terry has been a freelance illustrator for 26 years. He got his start working for magazines and newspapers in the Washington D.C. area. His early clients include publications such as Time, Money, WSJ and ads for Sprint, Pizza Hut, Fed Ex, and Master Card. He has illustrated about 30 children’s books for a number of publishers, including Random House, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, and Penguin. When he's not mountain biking, hiking, or snowboarding he works out of the svslearn.com office in Provo Utah. 

Check out a few of the companies we've worked with!

FAQ

  • How long will I have access to the videos?

    As long as SVSLearn is around! Once you purchase the class you are free to access the content anytime. Since your purchase never expires you can take as much time as you need to create the images that will end up in your portfolio.

  • Will the instructors critique my work individually?

    Possibly! The class includes a live Zoom session each week where the instructors will answer questions and talk about some of the common issues that students run into. The instructors are not able to critique every student individually each week, as time would not allow for that at the cost we are offering the class at.

  • Is this class good for me if I am a beginner? Or a pro?

    This class is intended for anyone who wants to illustrate picture books! The content is good for a beginner and you can use it over and over as you build your skill set. Advanced students or professionals will be able to use the content immediately to take your work to the next level.

  • How long does the class take?

    We have the class broken into 10 weekly sessions, but you have as much time as you need to complete the course. Some parts of the course, such as making your book dummy, will take longer than others, so the overall length of time will vary from person to person. You always have access to the content so we encourage you to take as much time as you need to create your best work.

  • What is the refund policy?

    100% refund if you cancel by Week 2. 50% refund if you cancel by Week 3. No refunds after Week 3.

  • When does the class start?

    New class starting in 2023. Each week new content will be released until the course is finished (10 weeks total).

  • Do I have to work digitally or traditionally?

    We show some demos in Photoshop, but the content here is intended to be made in any medium. We all work in different ways and this class is fine for however you want to work.

  • Is CBPro included in the SVSLearn video subscription?

    No. CBPro was designed to be a deep dive into children's book illustration, with a live component for students to ask questions of the instructors. SVSLearn is geared toward building basic illustration skills through video-only instruction.

  • Is there a payment plan available?

    Yes! We now offer an option to do 3 payments of $199 each.

Still Have More Questions?

Watch our Q&A on YouTube!

We answer more of your questions and dig in deep about what this course covers. Find it here:
Watch now!

Course Curriculum

Welcome to the class

  • 0.1: Teacher Introduction


WEEK 1: Getting started

  • 1.1: Overview of Children's Book Pro
  • 1.2: Amazing Books
  • 1.3: Types of Books 
  • 1.4: Anatomy of a Children’s Book
  • 1.5: Children’s Book Map
  • RESOURCE: Children's book breakdown pdf
  • HOMEWORK 1A: Amazing Books! 
  • The Children's Book Map


Week 2: The Manuscript

  • 2.1: Manuscript Introduction 
  • 2.2: Manuscript Breakdown 
  • 2.3: How to Paginate
  • HOMEWORK 2A: Working with your Manuscript
  • Manuscript Visual Breakdown PDF
  • Pagination Assignment


WEEK 3: Characters

  • LECTURE 3.1: Analyzing Characters from Different Children's Books
  • LECTURE 3.2: Drawing Kids vs Adults
  • LECTURE 3.3: Character Consistency
  • LECTURE 3.4: Stylizing Characters
  • LECTURE 3.5a: Character Design (Lee)
  • LECTURE 3.5b: Character Pose Sheet (Lee)
  • LECTURE 3.5c: Character Pose Sheet pt 2 (Lee)
  • LECTURE 3.6a: Character Design: Awesome Man Design (Jake)
  • LECTURE 3.6b: Character Design: Awesome Man Demo (Jake)
  • LECTURE 3.7a: Character Design: Skeleton Design (Will)
  • LECTURE 3.7b: Character Design: Skeleton Demo (Will)
  • LECTURE 3.8: Drawing realistic Animals
  • LECTURE 3.9: Drawing Anthropomorphic Animals
  • LECTURE 3.10: Drawing Stylized Animals
  • HOMEWORK 3A: Character Interview
  • HOMEWORK 3B: Design Your Characters
  • HOMEWORK 3C: Character Structure
  • HOMEWORK 3D: Character Pose Assignment
  • HOMEWORK 3E: Animal Pose Assignment
  • OPTIONAL HOMEWORK 3F: Anthropomorphic Animal Design Practice


WEEK 4: Environments and Props

  • LECTURE 4.1: Exteriors vs Interiors
  • LECTURE 4.2: Structure and Volume in environments
  • LECTURE 4.3: Stylizing Environments
  • LECTURE 4.4: Drawing Props
  • DEMO 4.5a: Little Red Riding Hood Exterior (Lee)
  • DEMO 4.5b: Exterior of Jack's House (Jake)
  • DEMO 4.5c: Kitchen Interior (Will)
  • HOMEWORK 4A: Design an interior and exterior from your manuscript


WEEK 5: Spots, Pages, and Spreads

  • LECTURE 5.1: Spots, Pages, and Spreads
  • LECTURE 5.2: Composition Guidelines
  • LECTURE 5.3: Focal Point
  • LECTURE 5.4: The Peg-Leg Pig
  • LECTURE 5.5: Little Bot and Sparrow Case Study
  • NO HOMEWORK: CATCH UP WEEK


WEEK 6: The Dummy

  • LECTURE 6.1: Process and Procedures
  • LECTURE 6.2a Basic Indesign (Lee)
  • LECTURE 6.2b: How to use the templates (Lee)
  • DEMO 6.3a: 3 Little Pigs (Will)
  • DEMO 6.3b: 3 Little Pigs (Jake)
  • DEMO 6.3c: 3 Little Pigs (Lee)
  • HOMEWORK 6A: Create a THUMBNAIL dummy
  • RESOURCE: Photoshop and InDesign Templates
  • RESOURCE: DUMMY LAYOUT
  • Picture Book Breakdown: Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen


WEEK 7: Dummy Work Week

  • LECTURE 7.1 You Got This! Keep going! 
  • LECTURE 7.2 Book Dummy Process with Lee: This Pretty Planet
  • Lecture 7.3 Book Dummy Process with Will: Boneparte Plays Ball


WEEK 8: Publishing

  • Week 8 Introduction
  • LECTURE 8.1: Production Process
  • LECTURE 8.2: Design Your Cover
  • LECTURE 8.3: Prepping Files for Print
  • LECTURE 8.4: Adding a Dedication
  • RESOURCE: 7-Step check list for prepping photoshop files 
  • HOMEWORK 8A: Illustrate a Spot
  • HOMEWORK 8B: Illustrate a Page
  • HOMEWORK 8C: Illustrate a Spread


WEEK 9: Getting Professional

  • LECTURE 9.1: Building a Portfolio
  • LECTURE 9.2: Making Your Website
  • LECTURE 9.3: Social Media for Illustrators 
  • LECTURE 9.4: Submitting Manuscripts to Publishers
  • LECTURE 9.5: Self Publishing Your Book


WEEK 10: Conclusion

  • LECTURE 10.1: Final Thoughts

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