Hey there!

Want some help making fulfilling
and memorable art for your
children’s book portfolio?

Let’s Make Picture Books can help!

Let’s Make Picture Books helps illustrators craft memorable children’s book portfolio pieces that will have art directors and editors saying “hey, I’d love it if you would illustrate this children’s book!”

Some children’s book portfolio courses end up helping you craft art that looks pretty much like the art everyone else in the course is making.

And while there’s value in anything that helps you feel more confident in your children’s book illustration skills, we know that you’re better served by coming up with unique portfolio ideas that showcase your joys and interests.

“I love how flexible the workbooks are! The assignments can push you in the right direction if you’re only getting started, or they can give you a totally new perspective if you’re a bit further ahead in your illustration path.”

Ana Toro

Let’s Make Picture Books

Say hello to….

A self-paced portfolio development program designed to help you create memorable portfolio art for the children’s book market.

If your goal is to become a children’s book illustrator,
here’s how this program can help:

WORKBOOKS

You’ll get seventeen 20+ page workbooks designed to help you illustrate memorable children’s book characters and scenes.

WEBINARS

You’ll get thirteen prerecorded webinars about every aspect of children’s book from color basics to illustrating emotion.

INTERVIEWS

You’ll get to watch and listen as Denise and Steph, along with a few of their illustrator friends, chat about their book illustrating processes.

The Let’s Make Picture Books Story

When I started working towards illustrating children’s books almost 10 years ago, I just wanted something to tell me exactly what to put in my portfolio in order to start attracting art directors! And yeah, I got the usual list of must-haves like character sheets, emotions, and action, but even when I created a portfolio that checked all the boxes and started to see a trickle of children’s book work come in, I just wasn’t getting to illustrate the kind of books I truly wanted to illustrate.

It wasn’t until I got brave enough to fill my portfolio with what I loved drawing (birds and animals, of course!) that I started booking projects that filled my heart with joy and my bank account with larger advances.

I learned firsthand the power of making a children’s book portfolio that stood out from the crowd and that’s part of what’s driven me to launch the Let’s Make Picture Books portfolio development program with guest teacher and fellow children’s book illustrator, Denise Holmes.

Between the two of us, we’ve illustrated well over 70 children’s books in a variety of categories including picture books, board books, nonfiction, and even activity books.

We’ve taken everything we’ve learned over the years and created this approachable and totally doable program to help you create gorgeous, standout portfolio pieces that will have art directors saying “hey, I want that artist to illustrate this book!”

What Makes LMPB Different?

This isn’t another course you’re just going to enroll in & forget about. You deserve better than that.

This is a follow-your-own-path portfolio development program with guided workbooks, prerecorded webinars and guest artist chats, drawing prompt lists, and a bonus workbook archive.

You can dip into this program as needed and jump into whatever content you most need right now. Need help with color today? Watch the webinar on Color Basics or Colors for Nighttime Scenes. Want to add more emotion to your illustrations? Work through the Emotions workbook today!

What’s Included in LMPB?

WORKBOOKS

  • You’ll get three core workbooks to guide you through creating three unique portfolio pieces featuring character, movement, and emotion (three BIG things art directors are looking for!)

  • You’ll also get fourteen themed workbooks designed with specific themes if you need an extra boost of inspiration and guidance. Themed workbook topics are: Grow, Endangered Species, Best Friends, Deep Sea, Travel, The Universe, Mythical Creatures, Spooky, Hibernate, Winter Wonderland, School, Unusual Pets, Classic Story, and Build Your Own Story.

PICTURE BOOK CHAT SERIES

  • Peek over the shoulders of Steph and Denise as they discuss and share their children’s book illustrating processes.

  • Topics covered in this video series: Photoshop or Illustrator or Procreate or Analog, What Do You Do When You Get a Manuscript, Sketch Studies & Character Sketches, Thumbnails Rough & Dummies, Color Roughs & Final Art, Book Covers, Steph’s Photoshop Drawing Demo, Denise’s Procreate Tips

WEBINAR ARCHIVE (prerecorded video)

  • Figuring Out What Goes in Your Portfolio

  • Illustrating a Picture Book: An Overview

  • Hand Lettering for Picture Books

  • Color Basics

  • Types of Book Spreads

  • Colors for Nighttime Scenes

  • Book Cover Inspiration

  • Animal Character Drawing Tips

  • Drawing Emotions

  • Simple Background Drawing Tips

  • How to Edit Your Scanned Lettering in Photoshop or Procreate

  • All About Vignettes

  • Agent Interview: Alex Gehringer

BONUS STUFF!

  • Guest artist interviews (videos) with Holly Surplice, Renee Kurilla, Grace Habib, and Stephanie Graegin

  • Bonus workbooks to help with character consistency, drawing backgrounds, coming up with ideas, and developing a consistent sketchbook habit

  • Free access to Steph’s collection of Skillshare classes (but you won’t need to be on the Skillshare platform to access them!) on Photoshop and Procreate.

“The website is organized and easy to navigate. I like how they challenge us to go outside our comfort zone. Real talk about the industry and what we need to do if we want to succeed. One takeaway from me is learning to keep drawing past the first thing I like - to draw it again and again and again. There are so many favorite things about LMPB!”

Julie Lopez

What Happens When You Enroll?

  • •Check your email after you enroll. Within a few minutes, you’ll get an email confirmation with an access link. Tap the link and the follow the instructions to either set up a new account or log into an existing account.

  • • Dive right in! Download the workbooks and start watching videos. If you need a bit more guidance, we’ve included a short video with our recommendations.

  • • Enjoy making art that feels so soooo much like you!

Hey there!

I’m Steph
Fizer Coleman

What began with a few cute bird drawings blossomed into a thriving illustration business working on children’s books, greeting cards, puzzles, and other products.

I believe in building a portfolio around the art you WANT to make, not around the work you think you’re supposed to make.

In LMPB, I’ll guide you through creating portfolio pieces that share what you’re passionate about.

Hey there!

Becoming a children’s book illustrator did not happen overnight. After many years of working hard on my portfolio and being persistent, I finally got my break. An editor saw my work on Pinterest and sent an email asking if I’d like to illustrate a children’s book. Yep, I would!

Since that one life changing email, I have had the opportunity to work on 24 children’s books. Ranging from activity, educational, baby board books, and children’s books.

I’m excited to share more about my process and insights during this program. Alongside Steph, I am here to help you create portfolio pieces that will get you noticed by a publisher or art director!

I’m Denise Holmes

FAQs

When does this course begin?

This is a self-paced program so you can begin at any time and work at your own pace. You’ll get immediate access to all workbooks and videos.

What if I have questions along the way?

If you have questions during the program, leave a comment under the appropriate lesson and I’ll respond as quickly as possible (usually within 24 hours).

How long will I have access to the course?

You’ll have lifetime access to the program and access to any workbook updates or additions.

How much does it cost?

This program is a one time payment of $167. A pretty awesome price for a collective 25+ years of children’s book experience from Steph and Denise.

What’s the time commitment?

It's completely up to you! We provide some suggestions at the beginning of the course, but you can download workbooks and watch videos in whatever order you’d like so you can really get exactly what you need when you need it.

When can I enroll?

It’s a self-paced program so you can enroll anytime. If this feels like just the thing for you right now, go ahead and enroll because you can get started right away. Have fun!

Is this a business class too?

Nope. This program focuses on helping you create memorable portfolio pieces. If you need help with the business aspects of being a children’s book illustrator, you might be interested in Children’s Book Career Jumpstart.

What supplies do I need for this class?

Whatever your favorite supplies are! We will be encouraging lots of observational drawing in this program, so at least be prepared with your favorite sketching supplies. Other than that, you need whatever you normally use to create illustrations.

What’s your refund policy?

I want you to enjoy this class but if you don’t, I offer a 30 day money back guarantee. Contact cs@learnwithsfc.com within 30 days of your original purchase date for a full refund.