The Art of the Picture Book DVD

Delve into various picture-book structures and select the best format for your work. Discover Shadra’s secrets for using simple shapes to build complex, expressive characters. Gain critical insight into book pacing, imagery, and text placement by creating a storyboard. Develop thematic boards and color studies to give your illustrations the depth they deserve. Plus, learn industry tricks to prepare your book for proposal. Bring your creativity to life in a picture book that will delight children and publishers everywhere!

NOTE: Any PDF materials associated with this class are not provided with the DVD-only purchase. You must have streaming access to download those materials. To purchase the combination DVD + Streaming form of this class, click here.

Character Development (20:41)
What qualities bring a character to life? Strickland guides you through everything you need to know, from how to identify with your character through various ways to develop compelling stories and meaningful imagery.

Gesture, Emotion & Setting (22:24)
Learn how to infuse emotion into your illustrations with realistic expressions, postures and composition ideas that will continue to breathe life into the characters on the page.

Book Structure (14:46)
Robust characters need a carefully designed book to live in, so follow along as Strickland explains self-ended and separate-ended layout options for picture books, including notes on trim sizes and other technical considerations.

Storyboard Pacing & Composition (38:36)
Discover how to turn an ordinary story into an extraordinary adventure as you push yourself to add more depth, dimension and movement into your illustrations.

Critique & Mood (32:03)
Every project needs a strong critique, and Strickland shares the best tricks of the trade for revising your work with fresh eyes. You’ll also discover ways to experiment with mood and color that can improve your story with as little as one change in your palette.

Final Art & Book Dummy (16:46)
Strickland wraps up the class with a tutorial on creating and submitting a dummy for a publisher, including tips on how to create a dummy for self-publishing or personal gifts. You’ll leave the class wanting to run straight for the drawing board in pursuit of your next story!

Shadra Strickland is a Baltimore-based illustrator who specializes in children’s picture books. Currently, she teaches illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Strickland frequently collaborates with other illustrators and authors, an endeavor that has earned several publishing accolades, including the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe Award. When she’s not teaching Craftsy classes, Strickland enjoys conducting workshops and sharing her craft with children and adults across the country.

Will the companion materials come with my DVD class?
Any downloadable class PDF materials are not included on the DVD, so you will not have access to those materials. While the video instruction on your DVD is complete, you must have streaming access to download the PDF materials associated with the class. You can purchase streaming access or a combination DVD + Streaming access on Craftsy.com.

Do I have to purchase a Craftsy Membership to get my class?
No, you do not. Every DVD-only class purchased on Craftsy.com includes the physical DVD in the mail. The physical disc(s) are yours to keep forever, with or without a Craftsy membership.

Are DVDs included in a Craftsy Membership?
No, they are not. DVDs can only be purchased on an individual basis and are not included in Craftsy memberships. For non-members, DVDs are a flexible way to purchase only the classes you love best. For members, DVDs are a great choice to build an at-home library you can keep forever and enjoy any time, with or without Internet access.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship most physical products, including DVDs, to several International destinations. In addition to the USA and Canada, we ship to Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and most Western European countries. If you live outside these countries, you can still purchase digital items including memberships, individual streaming classes, and pattern downloads.

Do your DVDs work on international players?
Yes, our DVDs should be compatible with any DVD player in use today. All our videos have been created with all current Region Codes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8). If you have trouble viewing a DVD purchased from Craftsy.com, please contact Customer Service.

What is your return policy?
We want to be sure you’re satisfied. If you have trouble playing your DVD, if the content is not correctly presented on the DVD, or you are dissatisfied with the content of your class, we will work with you. Contact Craftsy Customer Service via email or phone. Upon your request, and upon your return of the DVD to us, we will refund your purchase price or send you another DVD to replace a damaged or incorrect DVD, whichever is your preference.