Writing & Illustrating Children's Picture Books
Testimonials
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Carol G (on-line Writer's Course 2022)
I just wanted to tell both you and Diane how much fun I am having watching your videos. I am at the end of Part 2 of the writers course and am enjoying myself so much. I love how you present things (with some dry humor) and I love the little texts that pop up on the videos... so informative yet fun too!
Thank you!
Lexi G (University 5-day course 2020)
Fantastic structure - combination of practical/business experience & creative guidance. Excellent! Fantastically experienced & knowledgable in terms of the industry... great advice, brilliant structure, great teaching style.
Carrie G (University 5-day course 2020)
Really helpful, practical advice about the industry + how to submit - process I can work on at home.
Katerina R (University 5-day course 2020)
I want to thank you for the course, it gave me so much inspiration and also the knowledge I needed to start with this career!
Daniel D (University Character Design 3-day course 2019)
Great course - teacher was amazing!
Alison L (University 5-day course 2020)
Tutor provided very valuable, practical insight & instructions to directly apply to the field of books... extremely helpful!
Federiko S (University Character Design 3-day course 2019)
Great energy, great comments.
Makes the class fun!
Imogen M (University 5-day course 2019)
Very good, very funny - learnt a lot! You learn in a week what you could learn on a degree.
Chih-Hsin Y (University 5-day course, 2019)
The knowledge of the teacher, his humour, patience and constructive feedbacks make me improve!
Carrie M (University 5-day course 2019)
Christyan is wonderful!
Sophie M (V&A Museum London 2-day workshop 2018)
I just wanted to take the opportunity to say a big thank you for the V&A illustration course. I enjoyed it so much, and I really hope I can carry on with the work I started - I now want to come for a day-course to progress the work/style and receive further advice. Many thanks again!
PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATOR & AUTHOR
Jo R (8-week Course & Workshop 2017)
Christyan is full of knowledge and enthusiasm for illustration and writing for children and is keen to nurture new talent into this often quite daunting world of publishing. His course is brilliant and is an essential for any aspiring children's author! I’m also a big fan of his colourful crazy shirts.
Florence S (University 5-day course 2019)
Everything I was hoping to learn was covered! There was a lot of info & industry knowledge put into the course. Was helpful being taught by a working illustrator!
Hans K (University Character Design 3-day course 2019)
Christyan is really good at honing in on people’s individual styles, seeing the potential and encouraging students to discover it for themselves.
Claudia H (V&A Museum London 2-day workshop 2018)
Really great course at the V&A, got so much out of it! My koala character will finally be able to move out of my head and into a book of his own. Again, and sincerely, this has been the best time and money I've ever spent!
Melissa B (University 5-day course 2018)
Christyan was excellent & extremely helpful. Provided very useful feedback that helped me develop my story into something fantastic that I like very much! I’ll use these skills directly when I’m back in the USA & then submit my book to a publishing company.
PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATOR & AUTHOR
Esther C (3 x One-to-One workshops 2017)
I just wanted to say thank you, it was really useful and I feel ready to dive into making this book work and to greet the invention of my character with enthusiasm. The additional info and constraints of things like word-count will no doubt help.
Emma L (8-Week Course 2015)
Thank you so much for all your help. I really enjoyed the class and feel inspired to write again. If I ever get published I’ll be sure to send you a copy!
Kaori C (University 5-day course 2017)
I want to thank you for the Book Illustration Class I took at Chelsea College of Arts. I discovered a creative profession I would like to pursue, thanks to the fantastic class you taught. Since taking your class I draw often, and I'm now entering the Macmillan Prize for 2018 - wish me luck!
PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATOR & AUTHOR
Rosie R (One-to-One Workshop 2014)
It was good to meet you and Diane last week. I've revised the story now and my character attempts. I found it really helpful and I think it's really helped me to get a different approach. I'll let you know how they get on!
Laura N (One-to-One Workshop 2015)
I just wanted to say a huge thank you - I've come away buzzing with ideas and information, your feedback was immensely valuable. I'm really excited about this new direction in my work. I'll develop some more ideas and writing and contact you again to arrange feedback.
Jackie C (8-Week Course, Spring 2015)
Thank you for your excellent course! I now have an agent's appointment at the Book Fair. Eeek!
Caroline O (8-Week Course 2014 & Workshop 2015)
It's amazing the amount you pack into your children's book course for the small amount you charge. I've always said it's great value for money.
PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATOR & AUTHOR
Zehra H (One-to-One Workshop 2013)
Thank you for a very inspiring day today. It has certainly focussed me and now I HAVE A PLAN! So thank you. I will keep you updated.
Linda H (8-Week Course 2013)
I really thought your course was brilliant. Very richly packed with valuable advice and insight. A huge thank you for all the handouts and practical know how and wisdom we received about an industry which most of us know nothing about but that we need to make our way in if we're to succeed.
Sandy H (10-Week Course 2013)
The course exceeded all my expectations and I found it really enjoyable and inspirational. You were both great fun to work with and I thought you were very generous with your information, thoughts and ideas. I look forward to catching up with you both soon for a workshop session.
PUBLISHED ILLUSTRATOR & AUTHOR
Philippa R (10-Week Course 2013)
Christyan and Diane run a brilliant course. As well as expert creative advice on writing, they gave an extremely useful overview on the children's books market today as well as advice on getting published and how to take your work forwards. It was a joy to attend.
Rosie O (10-Week Course, Spring 2013)
Just a non-literary line to say thanks very much for a highly informative course. I learnt more in 10 weeks with you than in 10 years previously! Can't believe the course went so quickly.
Jo B (8-Week Course Autumn 2013)
Thank you so much – the course was really inspiring – and FUN!
Angie A (One-to-One Workshop 2012)
Just wanted to thank you both so much for an incredibly inspiring day. My story has been in the 'top drawer', and now I plan to start getting professional, plotting and re-writing with a good will and a fresh eye. You have given me so much to draw on. Now it’s merely a matter of finding the time and space to tweak and play.