Blog

Featured Illustrator: Kirsti Beautyman

Kirsti Beautyman is a Newcastle based illustrator, who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2016. Her jungle-strewn, ethereal illustration earned her the title of Picture Hooks illustrator of the year for 2017-18. She was mentored by Helen Stephens. Now that applications are open for the new mentoring scheme, we thought it was time to […]

June 28, 2018

Mentoring Scheme 18-19 Applications now closed!

APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED FOR THE 2018-2019 MENTORING SCHEME. THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT APPLIED! We are now taking applications for our 2018-2019 mentoring scheme. Please make sure you have read the guidelines thoroughly before submitting your application. The deadline for applications is midnight (GMT) on 30th September 2018. Applications should be submitted via our online […]

June 21, 2018

An interview with Orange Beak

Speaking at our conference in May is the brilliant Orange Beak Studio, a collective comprised of Pam Smy, Maisie Paradise Shearring and Ness Wood,  award winning illustrators, designers and picture book makers. Based in Cambridge, Orange Beak offers workshops and one-to-one portfolio sessions, as well as other events aimed at creative development for illustrators. We […]

April 25, 2018
Vivian French

Vivian French, recipient of the Scottish Book Trust Outstanding Achievement Award

We are proud to announce that our very own co-founder and trustee Vivian French has been awarded the prestigious 2018 Scottish Book Trust Outstanding Achievement Award. Vivian is an Edinburgh-based author and educator, among her various other roles – she has been Children’s Writer-in-Residence at Edinburgh International Book Festival five times as well as a guest […]

March 7, 2018

The end of 2017’s mentoring scheme – what next?

Now that this year’s cohort of mentees are finishing their work, we look forward to exhibitions, a tour, and some workshops at the Scottish National Gallery.

January 31, 2018

Picture Hooks Illustrator of the Year

Congratulations to Kirsti Beautyman, Picture Hooks Illustrator for 2017. Kirsti was mentored by Helen Stephens (How to Hide a Lion, Fleabag).

And congratulations as well to all five of our illustrators for 2016/17. You can read more about all of them and find their portfolios here.

November 6, 2017

Innovating in illustration – Robert Frank Hunter and Zoë Aubugeau-Williams, Nobrow

How do you set yourself apart from other illustrators? Robert Frank Hunter and his publisher Zoë Aubugeau-Williams discuss drawing techniques and innovative marketing.

June 5, 2017

How to get your art to a publisher – Tessa Strickland, Barefoot Books

We recap Tessa Strickland’s advice on getting your work in front of a publisher, which she gave at the Picture Hooks Conference 2017.

Know Your Rights – AOI, Handsome Frank, Matthew the Horse, & Sonny Ross

The Association of Illustrators ended our conference with a panel discussion on knowing your rights, enforcing contracts, and getting paid.

From pitch to picture book – Tiffany Leeson, Egmont Books

Tiffany Leeson, Creative Director of Egmont Books, spoke to the Picture Hooks Conference 2017 about the process of turning an illustration into a picture book.