Picture Hooks provides opportunity and development for emerging picture book illustrators

We help illustrators access the world of children’s publishing.

Although based in Edinburgh, Picture Hooks support is available for all emerging illustrators.

Find out more about our programme >>

New Picture Hooks Competition + Webinar with Tiffany Leeson!

We are delighted to announce our latest ‘Before and After’ competition on the theme of ‘What’s inside?‘, which invites you to submit two images of a character before and after opening a parcel (no background needed), with an emphasis in expressing your character’s feelings and experience through their physicality. The competition will take place between […]

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New Picture Hooks Competition + Webinar with Tiffany Leeson!

We are delighted to announce our latest ‘Before and After’ competition on the theme of ‘What’s inside?‘, which invites you to submit two images of a character before and after opening a parcel (no background needed), with an emphasis in expressing your character’s feelings and experience through their physicality. The competition will take place between […]

October 21, 2024

Mentoring Programme now open

Calling all emerging children’s book illustrators! Our mentoring programme is now open. Don’t miss the chance to give your craft a final polish and launch your career as a fully-fledged children’s book illustrator. Paired with an established illustrator over nine months, selected mentees will develop specific pieces of work, attend masterclasses and meet publishers, finishing […]

September 10, 2024
Shh! We Have A Plan by Chris Haughton (Walker 2015)

New Picture Hooks Competition + Webinar with Chris Haughton!

We are delighted to announce our first competition of 2024, the latest of our ‘Before and After’ competitions, on the theme Ready, Steady… GO! There will be one Ready, Steady… GO! competition taking place during May – June 2024. The winner will receive a prize of £500, and two additional awarded runners up will both […]

May 14, 2024

New Picture Hooks Competition!

We are delighted to announce our first competition of 2024, the latest of our ‘Before and After’ competitions, on the theme Fearful/Brave. There will be one Fearful/Brave competition taking place during February – March 2024. The winner will receive a prize of £500, and two additional awarded runners up will both receive £250.

February 12, 2024

Buddy Scheme now open!

Are you a passionate artist from a non-traditional illustration background? Perhaps you love drawing vibrant characters or telling a story through pictures but haven’t thought about doing a MA, or have honed your skills in a different industry altogether. Our buddy scheme pairs creative artists with established children’s picture book illustrators for six months to develop your […]

August 29, 2023

Vivian French visits Oasis Academy Johanna

Celebrated children’s author and Picture Hooks co-founder Vivian French is no stranger to the power of illustration and storytelling to ignite young imaginations in schools. In collaboration with County Hall Arts, Vivian paid a visit to Oasis Academy Johanna in London to run a day of workshops and activities. This beautiful video, with music specially […]

July 24, 2023