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!

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. More details […]

Latest from our blog

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. More details […]

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

New Picture Hooks Competition!

We are delighted to announce our latest competition, the second of our ‘Before and After’ competitions, on the theme ‘Oh No!’. There will be one ‘Oh No!’ competition taking place during July – August 2023. The winner will receive a prize of £500, and two additional awarded runners up will both receive £250. More details […]

July 17, 2023

New Picture Hooks Competition – With a Twist!

We are delighted to announce our latest competition, and the first of our ‘Before and After’ competitions, on the theme Quiet/Loud. There will be one Quiet/Loud competition taking place during April – May 2023. The winner will receive a prize of £500, and two additional awarded runners up will both receive £250. More details about […]

April 19, 2023
Illustration from Penguin's Party Problems by Alice Horn

Picture Hooks Competitions in 2023: Before and After

We are very excited to announce a new format for our illustration competitions in 2023! In 2020, Picture Hooks launched its first illustration competition to inspire and promote aspiring children’s book illustrators during lockdown. Since that time we have run 17 illustration competitions on themes like Seed to Table, Summer Surprises, Peace and Friendship, awarding […]

April 5, 2023