Pounce on Your Creative Potential!

Do you want to create animal characters for picture books, but are unsure where to start? 

Welcome to the Animal Character Design Masterclass. A self-paced programme.

This course is designed to help you unlock your unique voice, master animal design, and build a portfolio that opens doors to exciting opportunities. 

What You’ll Discover Inside:

  • How to create expressive animal characters in your own style by blending imagination and research.
  • The secrets of animal anatomy, using simple shapes to inspire and build unique and expressive picture book characters.
  • How to develop your personal style and craft a portfolio piece that appeals to publishers.
  • The skills to design animals and scenes with confidence, culminating in a final picture book illustration that showcases your style and artistic voice.

Your step-by-step guide to transforming your portfolio with expressive animal characters that showcase your unique style and storytelling abilities for picture book illustration.

Let’s turn your ideas into fun, memorable animal characters that truly bring your stories to life!

Get Started

Why This Masterclass is a Must for Any Picture Book Illustrator:

  • For all levels — whether you’re just starting, new to animal character design or looking to refine your skills.

  • Self-paced and flexible — learn at your own speed, from anywhere.

  • Practical and fun —with video demos, interviews, recorded Lives, practical exercises and projects, and downloadable resources to support your progress.

  • Build a portfolio that opens doors in the picture book industry.

Tasks & Projects

This self-paced program features 4 modules, each with 4 tasks and a final push project, along with video lessons & demos.

Workbook

A comprehensive guide that complements the video lessons, helping you deepen your understanding.

Portfolio

Bring your animal characters to life in your portfolio by capturing their heart, personality, and imagination.

Week-by-Week Overview

This self-paced programme includes four modules with tasks, a final project, video lessons, demonstrations, expert interviews, and a workbook.

In this module, we’ll explore the key elements of creating successful animal characters, balancing observation with imagination.

  • 1.0 Welcome to Module One
  • 1.1 Introduction to Animal Character Design
  • 1.2 The Importance of Observation
  • 1.3 Sketching from Reference vs. Sketching from Life
  • 1.4 Transitioning from Observation to Imagination
  • 1.5 Establishing a Successful Sketchbook Practice

In this module, we explore techniques to give your animal characters human qualities, making them more relatable and expressive.

2.0 Welcome to Week Two
2.1 What is anthropomorphism?
2.2 Moving parts
2.3 The importance of telling a story
2.4 Construction and volume
2.5 Strike a pose

This module focuses on exaggerating features and shapes to capture your animal character’s personality and style in fun, expressive ways.

3.0 Welcome to Week Three
3.1 What is caricature design?
3.2 Animal archetypes
3.3 Sketch. Design. Repeat.
3.4 Breakdown drawings
3.5 Design a caricature

Discover what makes a strong cast of characters and how they interact. Learn to define, combine, and bring your animal characters to life as a cohesive, memorable group.

4.0 Welcome to Week Four
4.1 Fables
4.2 Villains
4.3 Five-step process
4.4 Group – silhouettes and more
4.5 Design and illustrate your 'dream team'

Hi, I’m Nina

With over twenty years of experience in illustrating picture books and teaching what I’ve learned, I’ve been fortunate to guide more than 65,000 students worldwide. My passion is sharing knowledge, inspiring creativity, and helping others unlock their artistic potential.

I have a portfolio of over a dozen published picture books, including notable titles such as Boom Bah! by Phil Cummings, No More Kisses by Margaret Wild, Good Dog Hank by Jackie French, and Pooka, which won the YABBA Award in 2013. I also wrote and illustrated my own picture book, Ballroom Bonanza—an animal alphabet picture book. Many of my stories feature animal characters that truly resonate with young readers.

How I Teach

My approach goes beyond just technical skills; I aim to inspire, support, and empower you to embrace your own unique artistic voice. I believe hands-on learning is the key to truly understanding new concepts — experiencing, experimenting, and creating for yourself.

I invite you to join me on this creative journey! Together, we’ll explore the exciting world of animal character design and build a strong portfolio that opens doors and helps you achieve your artistic goals. I can’t wait to see what you create!

Let’s Do This!
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