workshops & school visits

I love getting to meet the teachers, librarians, kids and budding illustrators who enjoy the books I put out into the world.

I am available for school/ library visits and public events, for children and young people aged 4-18. If this sounds like something you are interested in, read on!

workshop details

I have a growing portfolio of workshop options. Every visit is individually tailored to suit the students, school and desired outcomes.

    • Picture book reading

    • Behind the scenes peeks & insights

    • Q&A session

    • Illustration/ visual storytelling education

    • Interactive creative activities

    • Career advice/ information

  • My workshop formats are designed to keep students engaged and allow for meaningful interaction. Maximum audience sizes vary depending on student age, session format and activities involved.

    For larger or combined groups, I may recommend an alternative format or session structure to ensure the workshop remains engaging and interactive.

  • Schools/libraries are welcome to provide materials for workshops. Alternatively, for an additional fee, I can source and supply the materials required for the session.

    Artist-supplied materials: from $10 per student

    The final materials fee will depends on the activity, number of students and materials required, and will be confirmed as part of your quote.

  • My workshop fees vary depending on duration, age group and group-size. If you’re interested in a potential booking, please feel free to email me and I’ll be more than happy give you a detailed indication of rates :)

  • Schools are welcome to arrange book purchases and signing opportunities as part of a visit. I can provide information about available titles and ordering options when booking.

  • Travel within the Sydney metropolitan area is included in the workshop fee. Additional travel fees may apply for visits outside this area and will be confirmed when booking.

    For locations further afield, please get in touch to discuss travel requirements.

  • I hold a current NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC).

    For schools outside NSW, I am happy to obtain the relevant state or territory clearance if required.

workshop examples

kindy

telling stories with pictures

How visual details can help words tell stories.

  • A 40-60min interactive workshop aimed at 4-6 year olds.

    Students explore how illustrators use visual details to give narrative information, without using any words. Using Wombat Dreaming as a case study, students create their own “Busy Wombat” drawing- a wombat engaging in an activity of their choosing.

show, don’t tell

year 1

Using faces and bodies to communicate emotion.

  • A 40-60min interactive workshop aimed at 6-7 year olds.

    Using A Hat For Every Harriet, students are introduced to the “Illustrator’s Toolkit”- a collection of tools we can use to show how characters feel without writing a single word, including facial expression and body language. Students then put these ideas into practice through guided and independent drawing activities.

year 2

show the invisible

Using visual tools to show a character’s inner world.

  • A 40-60min interactive workshop aimed at 7-8 year olds.

    In this workshop, students are introduced to the concept of visual metaphor and using symbolism to creatively represent thoughts, feelings and ideas we can’t actually see. Using Bernie Thinks In Boxes as a case study, students discover how illustrators can turn invisible inner worlds into things we can see. Through collaborative and independent activities, they create their own visual representation of what might be happening inside a character’s mind.

year 7-10

creating engaging characters

An introduction to character design for picture books.

  • Characters are at the centre of picture book illustration and their design is critical to effective and memorable storytelling. In this hands-on workshop, secondary students explore the process of designing characters for picture books, from interpreting a creative brief through to developing a distinctive visual personality.

    We discuss key considerations in character design, including physical traits, context, personality, clothing, expressions and body language. Students then receive a short character brief and put these ideas into practice.

year 10

building a professional portfolio

Tips for turning a love of drawing into a creative career.

  • Getting into the creative industries can often feel confusing and overwhelming. How can you turn a love of drawing into an illustration career? In this careers-focused workshop, students get an inside look at the illustration industry and explore how a well-curated portfolio can help open doors to future opportunities.

    Students learn how to identify the kinds of creative work they want to pursue, create artwork with a target audience in mind, and thoughtfully curate and present their work.

    We discuss a key principle of illustration- narrative- and put this into practice with a hands-on scene-building exercise.

previous clients include…

Meriden Senior School, Strathfield

Redlands Junior School, Cremorne

Abbotsford Long Day Care Centre, Abbotsford

Canada Bay Library, Concord

Something in mind?

If you're interested in booking a workshop or have further questions you’d like to chat through, fill out this form (or email me here) and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible :)