Service Description

During this workshop, the students will learn how to draw and develop their own illustrated characters. We will work on various exercises to explore and transform their ideas into character designs, while understanding how the use of visual elements such as colour, shape, silhouettes, and expressions can enhance their character’s personality and story, and bring their character to life! A brief analysis and a short observation-exercise on existing characters will be introduced to children, to help them understand what makes a character identifiable and unique (colours, lines, expressions, etc). Then dedicate time to some fun character-creating exercises that would help them to start visualising their character, and a visual bank of references, until we find a design that they would like to develop further and finalise. The course is also dedicated to refining children’s ideas through character-building techniques, to give their character a more well-rounded personality and bring it to life. Children will create concertinas with characters. An example of this is in the photos. Week 1: Idea generation and brainstorming. For this session students are asked to come prepared with 1 or 2 cartoon or book character references of their choosing. Week 2: Silhouettes and Shapes Week 3: Facial Expressions Week 4: Colour Week 5: Poses Week 6: Exaggeration Week 7: Costumes Week 8: Creating the story world Francesca is a Maltese illustrator and picturebook maker based in Edinburgh, Scotland. She received her MA in Illustration at the University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh College of Art). Her aim is to tell whimsical stories full of magic and emotion, driven by dynamic characters that help people to connect with the work in a meaningful and engaging way. The themes surrounding inclusivity, mental health and well-being are an important part of her practice. Fran often combines her illustrative work with material such as textiles, book art and paper cutting as an additional layer for her storytelling. Fran has illustrated 5 children’s books so far, including a Maltese adaptation of The House that Sneezed’ (2020) and the award-winning, Maltese children’s fiction series of ‘Irvin Vella, Virtual Investigator’ (2021, 2022). All materials provided

Cancellation Policy

We will provide a 50% refund if you give written advance notice up to 30 days before the course start date. 0% refund 30 days before a course starts. Please note there is an administration fee of £5 payable in respect of such refunds to cover payment processing fees. You will need to inform a member of administration staff in writing by emailing EDS at info@edinburghdrawingschool.co.uk. Additionally, if you withdraw for any reason after the course has started you will not be entitled to a refund. We are a small business and we depend on every booking to ensure that classes can go ahead. If a student is unable to attend a class due to illness, then EDS must be informed immediately so that the tutor can be notified. If you are missing a class because you suspect that you have developed Covid-19, please let us know immediately so that we can alert fellow student and tutors. Non-attendance of classes/workshops does not automatically mean a refund, however EDS will assess the circumstance

Contact Details

• 13A Great King Street, Edinburgh, UK

  + 0131 556 0971

  info@edinburghdrawingschool.co.uk