Illustration from ‘The Boy with Flowers in his Hair’ by Jarvis

Buddy Scheme

Applications for the Buddy Scheme have now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted their applications.

Who is the scheme for?

Are you a creative 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.

How it works

Selected creative artists will be paired with established children’s book illustrators for six months. You will meet with your buddy at a time and in a way which suits you and fits around your commitments. Your buddy will be able to share their experience to help you develop your voice and style and learn more illustrating for children’s picture books.

Click here for full details and FAQs.

Meet our buddies

Following a successful pilot scheme, in 2022 we welcomed our first Picture Hooks buddies. Learn more about them and what they got up to on the programme here!

We collect feedback from participants in all our schemes in order to to make them even better. Below you can find some comments from our recent buddies.

“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.”
– Holly Fearon, 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””
– Emma Garcia-Melchor, buddy 2022–23

In 2021–22, Picture Hooks trialled a new scheme which would develop into our buddy scheme for creative artists. Learn more about participants from our pilot buddy scheme here.

Looking for our Mentoring Programme for more experienced emerging illustrators? Click here.