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- Our Programme
- Who are we?
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Exhibition 2015/16

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The Picture Hooks Buddy Scheme is now open for app

The Picture Hooks Buddy Scheme is now open for applications! 🎊

Are you an artist with an interest in children’s picture book illustration? Perhaps you love to draw memorable characters but aren’t sure about committing to a degree, or have developed your creative talent in a different industry altogether. Our buddy scheme pairs artists with established children’s illustrators over six months to help you develop your illustration style and explore if this might be the path for you.

The Buddy Scheme is designed to be a flexible, accessible route into children’s book illustration. Recent mentors have included illustrators Katharine McEwen, Chris Mould and Ross Collins.

“The Picture Hooks Buddy Scheme helped me with the development of narrative through images and pushed my character design skills forward. It motivated me to keep drawing alongside my full time work, and has reignited a love for drawing in my personal time.”
– HF, buddy 2022–23

“As a self-taught artist, the Buddy Scheme was the perfect environment for me to learn about the children’s book illustration industry. I will forever be thankful for such an amazing opportunity for my career”
– EG, buddy 2022–23

Visit our website (link in bio) for full details and to apply! Deadline 30 October 2023.

Thank you @jarvispicturebooks for this beautiful illustration from The Boy With Flowers in His Hair 🎨

#illustration #mentoring #kidslit #kidsbooks #picturebooks #picturehooks #creativedevelopment #creativementoring

Just over a week left to submit for our ‘Oh No!’ competition!

We invite you to submit TWO original narrative illustrations for children, showing the same character/s before and after an ‘Oh No!’ moment!

A slippery floor, mistaken identity, a full-blown calamity - what will your character’s ‘Oh No!’ moment be?

🏆 £500 first prize, £250 for two runners up, always free to enter!

Find full information and how to enter on our website (link in bio). We can’t wait to meet your characters!

Thank you to @chris.naylor.ballesteros for this great ‘Oh No!’ example from #FrankandBert!

#illustrators #illocompetition #illocomp #childrensillustrations #kidsbooks #picturesmeanbusiness #picturehooks #picturehookscompetition

We are SO excited to talk picture books at @edbook

We are SO excited to talk picture books at @edbookfest! 🎨

Picture Hooks agent and author-illustrator duo @lucyjuckes and @french.vivian will be joined by expert booksellers Fiona McDonald (@theedinburghbookshop, Blackwells) & @ann_landmann (@cymerafestival, @BirlinnBooks).

Get your tickets now! https://edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/what-s-on-your-picture-book-shelf-19091

#bookfestival #edbookfest #edinburgh #picturebooks #illustration

We believe strongly in the power of illustration t

We believe strongly in the power of illustration to ignite young imaginations. And no-one brings that to life quite like our very own @french.vivian, celebrated children’s author and co-founder of Picture Hooks!

Watch the power of illustration and storytelling in action in @countyhallarts’ beautiful video of Viv’s recent visit to Oasis Academy Johanna, with specially composed music by @patrickdextercello - link available on our homepage (in bio).

#illustration #kidslit #picturehooks #picturebooks #powerofpictures @clpe.org.uk #learning #imagination #illustrationinschools #countyhallarts #patrickdexter #patrickdextercello #oasisacademyjohanna

🌟 NEW COMPETITION ALERT! 🌟 ‘Oh No!’ is

🌟 NEW COMPETITION ALERT! 🌟

‘Oh No!’ is now OPEN FOR ENTRIES!

We invite you to submit TWO original narrative illustrations for children, showing the same character/s before and after an ‘Oh No!’ moment!

A slippery floor, mistaken identity, a full-blown calamity - what will your character’s ‘Oh No!’ moment be?

🏆 £500 first prize, £250 for two runners up, always free to enter!

Find full information and how to enter on our website (link in bio). We can’t wait to meet your characters!

Thank you to @chris.naylor.ballesteros for this great ‘Oh No!’ example from #FrankandBert!

#illustrators #illocompetition #illocomp #childrensillustrations #kidsbooks #picturesmeanbusiness #picturehooks #picturehookscompetition

Congratulations to @sianmary_art, the second award

Congratulations to @sianmary_art, the second awarded runner up in our Quiet/Loud competition! Our judges loved this richly imaginative, detailed, vivid transition. Swipe for a storytime sensation!

Thank you so much to everybody who entered their quiet/loud sequences! We loved seeing your amazing work. Keep your eyes peeled for our next Before/After competition launching this summer! ☀️

#picturehooks #picturebooks #picturesmeanbusiness #kidslit #childrensillustration #illustration #quietloud #childrensbooks #illustrationcompetition

Congratulations to @velvetwonderhound, selected as

Congratulations to @velvetwonderhound, selected as one of the runners up in our Quiet/Loud illustration competition for this brilliant feline transition! 🐯 Our judges loved the sense of character and energy of this sequence, and the effective use of white space. Keep an eye out for our second runner up later this week, and swipe for a tiger surprise!

#picturehooks #picturesmeanbusiness #illustrationcompetition #kidslit #childrensillustration #picturebooks

Ah, a peaceful moment by the rock pool... Congratu

Ah, a peaceful moment by the rock pool... Congratulations to @justin.worsley - winner of our Quiet/Loud competition! Our judges loved this beautifully drawn, vibrant transition, full of character and with a great narrative. Swipe for a sealife surprise!

Thank you so much to everybody who submitted wonderful characters for this competition. We were blown away by your creativity. Keep an eye out for our two runners up announcing next week, and feel free to share your amazing entries with the hashtag #picturehooksquietloud. Don't forget to tag us so we can share your work!

#picturehooks #picturehooksquietloud #illustrationcompetition #picturebooks #picturesmeanbusiness #childrensillustration

🌟 New competition alert! 🌟 We are excited t

🌟 New competition alert! 🌟

We are excited to announce our first ‘Before and After’ competition of 2023: ‘Quiet/Loud’! 🛌 🎷

We invite you to submit TWO original narrative illustrations for children, showing the same central character/s before and after a transition. One illustration should be themed ‘quiet’ and the other ‘loud’.

Who is your character, what are they seeking in their story? Is it they or their surroundings which are quiet or loud? How does your character feel about their situation?

We’ve changed the format of our competions this year to challenge entrants to develop a key skill for picture book illustration - character!

The winner will receive £500, and two selected runners up will each receive £250.

Full information about the competition and how to enter is on our website (link in bio).

We can’t wait to meet your characters!

#illustrationcompetition #picturebooks #picturehooks #picturehookscompetition

We’re excited to announce a new format for our i

We’re excited to announce a new format for our illustration competitions in 2023! 🍾

In 2023, our comps will focus on a vital skill for aspiring children’s book illlustrators: CHARACTER!

Each of our comps this year will invite entries of not one but TWO narrative illustrations, showing the same character/s before and after a particular transition.

We are also updating our prize money this year to give more entrants the chance to win a cash prize for their work.

For more information, check out the blog on our website (link in bio)!

Watch out for our first 'Before and After' competition launching soon. We can’t wait to meet your characters!

Illustration from Penguin’s Party Problems by @alice.paints 🎨

Congratulations to @natasa_majer_illustration, who

Congratulations to @natasa_majer_illustration, who was selected as a runner up in our second Kindness illustration competition. We love Nataša's unique style here, the striking colour palette and the evocative way it communicates how it can feel to be comforted by a kind friend at a difficult moment. Well done, Nataša!

#illustrationcompetition #kindness #kidslit #picturebooks #picturehooks #childhood

Well done to @chio_illustration, whose illustratio

Well done to @chio_illustration, whose illustration 'Ready Together', inspired by the artist's teaching experiences, was selected as a runner-up in our second Kindness competition. This charming, well-drawn image stood out to our judges - a simple everyday moment of kindness in a setting you can just feel the cosiness of!

#illustrationcompetition #kindness #kidslit #picturebooks #picturehooks #cosy #winter

Well done to @mrinalipr, selected as a runner up i

Well done to @mrinalipr, selected as a runner up in our second Kindness illustration competition. Our judges were struck by 'Gift of Life', which Mrinali explains was inspired by the work of indigenous communities showing kindness to our natural world and fighting to protect the Earth and its ecosystems. Its use of colour and linework really draw the observer into this powerful moment of kindness. Well done Mrinali!

#illustrationcompetition #kindness #kidslit #picturebooks #picturehooks #indigenouscommunities #planetearth #nature #ecosystems

Congratulations to @rafaela_taylor_, unanimous win

Congratulations to @rafaela_taylor_, unanimous winner of our second Kindness competition! Our judges loved the warmth of the characters and storytelling created here, and the accomplished simplicity of the design.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who submitted their wonderful illustrations for this, our last illustration comp of 2022! Keep an eye out for next year's comps to come, and watch this space for some more of our favourite moments of kindness over the next few days.

#illustrationcompetition #kindness #kidslit #picturebooks #picturehooks #cosy #winter #scarf

Just under a week left to apply for our second Kin

Just under a week left to apply for our second Kindness illustration competition! 🌟

True kindness is hard to forget. Whether it’s someone reaching out to include you in an activity, a smile on the street, or an encouraging word from a stranger at just the right time, we all have the power to help one another.

Picture Hooks invite you to submit an original narrative illustration for children on the theme of KINDNESS. Deadline 14 December, £1000 prize for the winner 💫

For full details and how to enter, visit our website (link in bio). We can’t wait to see your illustrations!

#illustration #kidsillustration #illustrationcompetition #kidslit #kidslitart #picturehooks #picturebooks #kindness

Well done to @kathrynwanless, the final runner up

Well done to @kathrynwanless, the final runner up in our first Kindness illustration competition! 'Banana?' is an accomplished drawing which shows great observation of childhood kindness to strangers. Well done Kathryn!

Thank you to everybody who entered our first Kindess comp. We can't wait to see more kindness-inspired creativity in the second comp - closing next Wednesday 14 December!

#illustrationcompetition #kindness #kidslit #picturebooks #picturehooks #childhood

Well done @_tetegarcia, another runner up in our f

Well done @_tetegarcia, another runner up in our first Kindness illustration competition! Our judges loved Tete's style here - confident, vivid and full of joyful kindness.

Our second comp is still open for entries - closing midnight Wednesday 14 December.

#illustrationcompetition #kindness #kidslit #picturebooks #picturehooks #animalshelter #brightcolours #design #pets #cats #dogs #animals

Well done @phoeberoze, runner up in our first Kind

Well done @phoeberoze, runner up in our first Kindness competition with 'A piece for everyone'! We loved the skilled composition of Phoebe's response, its humourous detail and reflection of the brief.

Feeling inspired? Our second Kindness competition will close for entries on Wednesday 14 December, with another £1000 prize to be won. Full info on our website (link in bio). Get those creative juices flowing!

#illustrationcompetition #kindness #kidslit #picturebooks #picturehooks

Well done @heidi_griffiths_art, creator of 'Kindne

Well done @heidi_griffiths_art, creator of 'Kindness always', which was selected as a runner up in our first Kindness illustration competition!

The judges loved the sensitivity of Heidi's response, and the striking use of colour here.

#illustrationcompetition #kindness #kidslit #picturebooks #picturehooks

Congratulations to @annaliesestoney, the winner of

Congratulations to @annaliesestoney, the winner of our first Kindness illustration competition! Our judges loved Annaliese's accomplished illustration, answering the brief so well with simplicity and warmth.

We loved seeing all your wonderful entries on this important theme. Watch out for more of our favourites coming next week!

Feeling inspired? Our second Kindness competition is now open and will close for entries on Wednesday 14 December, with another £1000 prize to be won. Get those creative juices flowing!

#illustration #kidslit #picturebooks #illustrations #picturebooks #kidsbooks #competition #illustrationcompetition #creativecomp #kindness

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If you have any queries about our mentoring scheme, exhibitions, or events, please email us at info@picturehooks.org.uk.

Picture Hooks is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) with registration number: SC047948

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