One of the most inspiring aspects of the Illustrating Children’s Books Diploma Course is seeing how each student approaches the same brief in completely unique ways. Recently, our students were set the task of illustrating a scene based on a short passage of text about a tortoise and a group of colourful birds. Although everyone was working with the same starting point, the results could not be more different, a brilliant reminder of how creativity flourishes when imagination takes the lead.
Marie Sophie Kaucher created a vibrant piece that captures the sparkle of the tortoise’s shell. Her illustration is filled with jewel-like colours and a playful sense of movement, as the birds swoop and polish the shell to a mirror shine.
Loraine Wallace took a softer, more naturalistic approach, with delicate washes of watercolour and detailed foliage. Her tortoise feels grounded in its landscape, and the scene has a gentle, storybook calmness that draws the reader in.
Tracey McClung introduced bold, stylised birds that burst with character. Their exaggerated shapes and lively postures add humour and energy, while the lush jungle background is packed with personality. It’s a wonderful example of how illustration can exaggerate features to appeal to young readers.
Hannah Carey chose to focus on storytelling through composition. Her design places the tortoise front and centre, surrounded by a lively group of birds, each interacting with the shell in their own way. The variety of bird characters gives the illustration a dynamic, almost theatrical feel, perfect for picture books.
It is always fascinating to see the diversity of artistic voices come through in assignments like this. From whimsical and colourful to delicate and realistic, each piece reflects the individual strengths and ideas of the student.
If you are inspired by these illustrations and have always dreamed of creating artwork for children’s books, why not explore our Illustrating Children’s Books Diploma Course? Taught by our experienced tutor, the course guides you step by step through designing characters, developing storyboards, and creating finished artwork. Whether you prefer working in pencil, watercolour, ink, or digital media, you will be encouraged to develop your own style and bring your stories to life.
We hope you enjoy this collection of student work and perhaps it will spark your own creativity to start illustrating magical stories for children.
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