Anna Doherty
Anna is illustrator/author from Edinburgh, who’s published children’s books across all age ranges and genres, but especially loves projects focusing on Women in STEAM!
Bubbly and funny, Anna’s books are heartwarming and filled with vibrant, colourful textures in pen and ink.
Her Fantastically Feminist (and Totally True) biographical picturebooks (on the Brontë Sisters, Ada Lovelace, Emma Watson and Michelle Obama) are empowering , fun and informative reads!
Anna’s Picturebook Retreat
Friday 4th – Wednesday 9th December 2026
Explore that book idea you have been mulling over in your head!
Whether it’s a brand new idea, or something you’ve been working on for a while, in our course you will develop a storyboard and the beginnings of a dummy book in a relaxed, fun (and delicious!) setting.
We’ll take you through the process step-by-step – exploring thumbnails, composition, and characters. We’ll talk tips and tricks for expanding your portfolio, how to use interaction in your images, and share experiences on how the picturebookworld works.
We’ll also have a workshop specifically on illustrating for non-fiction!
Workshop 1
Making a book – an overview of the book making process, from idea to bookshop; introduction to pace and structure
Workshop 2
Characters – exploring new characters, with a focus on age
Workshop 3
Composition – looking at spread layouts through thumbnails,developing tips and tricks on finding new, exciting compositions
Workshop 4
Interaction – an exploration of how interaction can elevate your portfolio
Workshop 5
Illustration for Non-Fiction – chatting about the different perspectives illustrating for non-fiction can bring, from research to layouts to narrative structure
Trips out
2x observational drawing trips – one focussing on people (linking to character workshop) and one on general scenes
1x gallery or museum trip – sketching from artwork (linking to composition workshop)
Cost :
You have until 30th June to grab the Early Bird 20% off and pay 572 € (479 £)instead of the full 715 € (599 £).
I’d love to hear from you:
Italian 
English