Walker Books on walkabout in Dublin

Sarah Webb just alerted me to a new partnership between Walker Books and NCAD – looks like an interesting project. Macmillan have been doing something similar with the Macmillan prize for students but I think this might be the first time that a publisher either from Ireland or abroad has targetted a specific group of Irish students – Do you think they would let me enrol just for this week so I could hang out with Bruce Ingman?

The NCAD (National College of Art and Design), Ireland’s most prestigious art college, will play host to leading Walker Books illustrator Bruce Ingman this month. The award-winning illustrator is best known for his modern classics with author Allan Ahlberg, The Runaway Dinner, Previously and The Pencil, which was published this Autumn.
From the 17th to the 21st November, Bruce will be conducting a week long project with the 3rd year Visual Communication students in NCAD. He will be joined on 21st November by Walker Books’ Picture Book publisher Deirdre McDermott, herself a former student of the Visual Communication course at the college. Together they will offer one lucky student the opportunity of an internship at Walker next summer 2009. Along with Brendon Deacy, senior tutor at NCAD, Bruce and Deirdre will be looking for the most promising new book-making talent, be it in illustration, graphics or typography.

Adrienne Geoghegan – New course for picture book writers and artists

Illustrator Adrienne Geoghegan will be working with Independent College this year to present a course all about picture book writing and illustrating. ~Running for twelve weeks from October to December it is divided in writing and illustrating or you can opt to do both parts.

INTRODUCTION TO CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS:
Lecturer: Adrienne Geoghegan is an artist and illustrator who has written and illustrated children’s books. Location: Independent College, Dawson Street

Course Description and Purpose:
Part One – Picture Book Writing – Suitable for aspiring, beginner or emerging children’s writers and those with a love of children’s literature, and enthusiasm to learn more.
Part Two – Picture Book Illustration – Either follow on from writing, or do this course seperately.
Requirements: Some basic drawing skills and ability with at least one colour medium.

Part One – Writing
In this course you will receive an overview of the many components of children’s literature.
You might have a great idea. But how do you actually go about writing a children’s picture book? Part lecture, part workshop, this course will take you through the process of writing, editing, and submitting a children’s picture book. There will be weekly writing assignments to keep you on track.

Syllabus
Brief introduction to the ‘Golden Age’ of Childrens Literature
-How to ‘write in pictures’ -Readability
-Brainstorm for your initial idea -Settings and Fantasy
-Story Framework -Techniques for hooking readers and editors
-Character development -Dialogue
-How to develop a premise into a plot -The science of making language sing
-The right language and vocabulary -Why editors like to choose their own illustrators
-Picture Book Genres & Themes -Cultivate the habit of revision and editing
-Point of view/voice -The nuts and bolts of marketing a manuscript

By the end of this class you will have:
A completed picture book manuscript, along with a cover letter for sending it out

Part Two – Illustrating
This course will appeal to people with a professional or general art background who enjoy picture making. A good understanding of the relationship between image and text is vital to success in creating children’s picture books. It is important to feel comfortable with drawing, as this is our chief means of communicating when we create picture books. The approach will emphasize sequence, pace, continuity, design, layout and the actual working of a picture book. Please note that this course does not explore mediums or focus on techniques. Although some guidance may be offered in these areas, the course concentrates on molding your existing technique to fit the children’s book market. The course will encourage students to develop their own individuality and imagination. Student can continue on from the writing course with their own unique story, or bring along a well-loved classic to illustrate. Poems, Rhymes and Alphabet books are also welcome. The aim is to increase both experimentation and professionalism.

Syllabus
-Notable illustrators – contemporary and historical -How to create a layout and paginate a text.
-Physical structure of a picture book -Creating thumbnail sketches
-Planning your book -Deciding on a medium/personal style
-Visual continuity and the sequential image -Interaction, composition and content
-Character development, keeping sketchbooks -Cover design
-Picture space and composition -Endpapers
-How to break down and interpret a text and create dynamic images specifically oriented for the picture book market. -Creating a complete Book Dummy.

By the end of this course you will have:
Created a Book Dummy ready for presentation to prospective publishers, or to include in your portfolio as a demonstration of your capabilities.

For Further Details
Contact David Slattery, Head of the Faculty of Arts, Independent College 60-63 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. admissions@independentcolleges.ie, www.independentcolleges.ie , phone 016725058

2.5 hours a night for each part 1. Writing and 2. illustration,or just chose one part if you wish. €795 for each course,
12 weeks from Oct to Dec

Or for more details about the course itself contact Adrienne Geoghegan, 087 9919211, 016776032