Events

This webinar is suitable for illustrators at the start of their career, and for those who’d like a refresher on all things tax. Some consideration will be given to the benefits of being a registered company, but this is targeted at sole traders. It will be delivered by Russell Smith, founder of RS Accountancy. The […]

Hi there Glasgow Illustrators! Come and join our Illustrator Meet Up for a social at the Laurieston on the 20th of January 7pm. If you've not had the pleasure of the Laurieston before (one of the best pubs in town), then know its easy to find. Just go to the street outside Bridge Street underground […]

Love the excitement of a new commission but feel awkward about the negotiations? The aim of this webinar is to give you the tools you need to negotiate with confidence! Join us for the next instalment of our webinar series, this time exploring the do’s and don’ts of client negotiations. The webinar will run from […]

Give yourself - and your work - a new year's boost! Join us in the gorgeous top floor room of the Bowling House for a chilled evening of idea sharing and informal critiques with your fellow Norwich illustrators. Bring along sketchbooks, portfolios (digital or print), current work, old work, anything at all! The evening will […]

Our first meet-up for 2020 is an active live draw at the National Centre for Circus Arts. You’re invited to come and draw performers training in their class sessions. The mix of disciplines taught may include: rope, tissu, multi corde, cloudwing, teeterboard, Chinese pole and juggling. The classes are from 10am - 12pm on Thursday […]

Wonderbly is delighted to host a morning of portfolio consultations in their London office. Art Director Paul Coomey, Illustrators Adam Hancher and Marija Tiurina and other industry professionals will give expert advice in areas including children’s publishing, surface pattern design and editorial. Your portfolio will be shared in a supportive, intimate, and collaborative environment. Not only […]

For our next Drink and Draw with @theaoi we're back at The Laurieston, a bar that loves the colour red as much as @titaberredo, who also happens to be thinking up our next draw challenge for the night and has graced us with her lovely set of instrumentalists for this months post, thanks Tita! Open […]

Come join us in the very first Somerset Illustrators meetup! Supported by the AOI, but open to all. Sit down with two talented illustrators, Sam Pierpoint and Ben the Illustrator, who will be here to talk all about their work and practise. From how they keep their creative practise fresh and where they find inspiration, […]

In this webinar we will explore how to make a plan for your illustration business. We will look at clarifying markets, planning for growth and reasons why you might need to set-up or convert from being self-employed to a limited company. We will also explore how the nature of illustration is changing in terms of […]

AOI Advisor Georgia, brings together illustrators Ana Jaks, Thomas Patterson, and Aleesha Nandhra to discuss the thrills and challenges of what the first years look like in building a career as a freelance illustrator. Each speaker offers a fresh perspective and will share stories on the little and BIG moments they have celebrated in recent years - and also, […]

Become a tourist in an afternoon of drawing games, collaborative creations and illustration challenges set in the imaginary town of Doodlebury, on its rare leap day appearance. Illustration trio, Froglump, join forces with PIP (an AOI meet up) to host an illustrative adventure around the world of Doodlebury. Imagine yourself as a tourist in this […]

AOI | Yo Illo Talks 2020 welcomes celebrated visual storyteller Matt Saunders and his agent, Jon Cockley, co-founder of Handsome Frank, for an intimate conversation about their collaborative partnership. Matt has created art for some of the most famous licencing properties, including Star Wars, Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse, and Harry Potter/Pottermore. Jon has represented many […]

**PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED***   Have you ever thought about taking your illustration in a new direction? Perhaps you'd like to use your skills to make presents, or create beautiful things to sell. Whichever it is, come to our tile illustration workshop, also our first Exeter meet-up of 2020. Scotty Gillespie, illustrator and ceramicist will discuss his […]

The AOI is pleased to run an exclusive event with Faber & Faber, award winning publishing house, and creators of the FAB Prize! In a small group of 10 you will share your physical or digital portfolio in a supportive, collaborative and inclusive environment. Faber Creative Director Donna Payne, and Children's Art Director Emma Eldridge […]

As part of our new Spotlight On series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with talented fashion illustrator and AOI board member Montana Forbes. Montana will be discussing her work and sharing her insights on the fashion illustration industry. We will then have a Q&A, for any questions you would like to ask Montana, including her […]

As part of our new ‘Spotlight On’ series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with the awesomely talented illustrator, animator and AOI board member, Dan Woodger. Dan will be discussing his practice and his unique experience of the illustration industry to date. We will then have a Q&A, for any questions you would like to ask Dan, including his […]

As part of our new #SpotlightOn series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with talented fashion and live event illustrator Niki Groom, a.k.a. Miss Magpie. Niki will be discussing her practice and her unique experience of the illustration industry to date. She will also be sharing her valuable advice on selling work through your website. We will then have a Q&A, […]

As part of our new #SpotlightOn series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with awesome illustrator Genie Espinosa. Genie will be discussing her practice and how she made the jump into full-time illustration. She will also be touching on how she manages her anxiety through her work. We will then have a Q&A, for any questions you would […]

Heads Up! Virtual Drink and Draw with AOI Glasgow coming to an internet terminal near you 7pm on 23rd April 2020! We'll be checking in through Zoom, and as ever offer a friendly welcoming space to chat and draw at a time when meeting other illustrators could be even more invaluable than usual. It would […]

Hannah Ray will share a 20 minute presentation of her top tips and advice for using Instagram more effectively, then take any questions in an open Q&A for 40 minutes.

Isolation doesn’t have to mean feeling isolated. During this confusing and disorientating time it’s more important than ever to stay connected, grounded, and communicating with likeminded folks. We invite you to join us for a group video chat to discuss everything and nothing! From a general check-in to see how everybody is faring, how we […]

As part of our new #SpotlightOn series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with talented children’s book illustrator, Dapo Adeola. Dapo will be discussing his practice and his unique experience of the illustration industry to date. We will then have a Q&A, for any questions you would like to ask Dapo, including his experience of […]

As part of our new #SpotlightOn series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with talented illustrator, mural designer, mapmaker and wordsmith, Vic Lee. Vic will be discussing his decisive approach to his career, and exploring the idea of 'Staying Scared, Keeping Fearless'. We will then have a Q&A discussion, so you can ask Vic any burning questions […]

This webinar will offer practical tips and techniques that will immediately enable the participants to communicate with skill and confidence.

As part of our new 'Spotlight On' series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with award winning illustrator Claudine O'Sullivan. Claudine will be discussing her practice and her unique experience of the illustration industry to date. We will then have a Q&A for any questions you would like to ask Claudine, including her tips for […]

Dr Sally Easton is an attachment psychologist and psychotherapist. She manages a wellbeing college for a mental health organisation, works with young people with multiple complex needs, and delivers training in mental health and wellbeing. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology, post graduate degrees in teaching and research, a doctorate in psychology and is […]

As part of our new 'Spotlight On' series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with award winning author and illustrator, Neal Layton. Neal has the ability to delve into the science and interpret it in such a way that young children can understand, and he'll be discussing his recent picture books A Climate in […]

Calling all North East (Scotland) illustrators! Join us for the first ever ABZillo lockdown-friendly digital meet up for an informal evening of doodling and a good old fashioned chin wag from the comfort of your home. BYOB. The meet up will be streamed via ZOOM. Registration is FREE but tickets are limited!

A successful illustration career doesn’t happen from one day to another, and definitely not spontaneously. While creating a strong body of work is important, communication and consistency are also key. This webinar, especially designed for illustration students about to graduate, will cover the following: The importance of being proactive and investing in different avenues in […]

As part of our 'Spotlight On' series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with talented cartoonist, illustrator and graphic novelist Stephen Collins. Stephen will be discussing his experience 'writing with pictures', a creative process that has encapsulated his career. We will then have a Q&A for any questions you would like to ask Stephen, […]

As part of our 'Spotlight On' series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle illustrator Lucy Truman. Lucy will be discussing her career, personal work and recent mental health images. We will then have a Q&A for any questions you would like to ask Lucy, including on her children’s […]

Belgian-born and Antwerp-based illustrator Charlotte Dumortier joins us for our next AOI online Bristol meet-up. She'll be revealing her top tips for working in editorial illustration, how friendships can lead to work and her experience setting herself up as a business. Hosted by Dave Bain & David J McMillan, you'll be able to join in […]

As part of our new #SpotlightOn series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with art director and author Tristan Manco. Tristan will be discussing his new book Stencil Graffiti Handbook which is a a DIY guide to making stencil art and celebrating it as a creative and protest art form. We will then have […]

Join Somerset Illustration Meetups for our first virtual meetup. There will just be 20 spaces up for grabs for this FREE (but ticketed) virtual session, just bring a sketchbook and some pens. This will just be an informal chat about how we're getting on whilst we have a drawing session. We want to know what you'd like […]

Led by Sheridan's Associate Gabriella Playford, this session will look at the legalities of working in the states. It is aimed at AOI Agent Members.  In particular the session will look at; -Differences between US and UK contracts and the implications of this -Common pitfalls in US contracts and how to avoid them - IP […]

This year New Designers have been working hard behind the scenes to move their ND CONNECTS and ND EDUCATES programmes online. From portfolio feedback to live chats with experts, all events will be available on the New Designers website and Instagram channel between 1 – 11 July 2020. As part of this awesome programme of talks and workshops, the […]

Feeling low or feeling high, feel welcome along to our next Drink and Draw 7-9pm on the 16th of July. As ever, it will be a friendly connection for new faces and familiar ones.  Join us for some mutual support connecting through the mist ? We will be reaching out over Zoom - reserve your […]

Join Site Collective and NorwichAOI meet-ups as they collaborate on an evening of casual creative activities and chats; from character illustrating, to portraiture, to pictionary. Admission is free with no ticket required, just visit the Facebook events page for the Zoom link (to be posted soon!) and more info. See you there!

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The AOI's AGM will run from 6pm on Monday 27 July. It is expected to last for 30 minutes. The financial year 2018 - 2019 (October 2018 - September 2019) will be considered, with the Annual Report and Accounts presented. The meeting will be chaired by David Gilbert, and there will be a chance to […]

Please note that this webinar is mainly for students, recent graduates and very new illustrators. Book now.   A successful illustration career doesn’t happen from one day to another, and definitely not spontaneously. While creating a strong body of work is important, communication and consistency are also key. This affordable webinar, especially designed for new […]

As part of our 'Spotlight On' series, join us for an informal lunchtime talk with animator Sam Taylor. Sam Taylor is a director, producer, and co-founder of The Line Animation Studio. He was nominated for a BAFTA for 'Everything I Can See From Here', a short film he wrote and directed with Bjorn-Erik Aschim, and […]

The AOI’s Complete Guide to Freelance Illustration Harnessing our experience as the world’s leading professional body for illustrators, The AOI have a designed this 6 week interactive online course to help illustrators take proactive steps to progress in their careers. Each week you will explore an essential aspect of freelance illustration, covering self-promotion, licensing, contracts, […]

THE AOI’S COMPLETE GUIDE TO FREELANCE ILLUSTRATION Harnessing our experience as the world’s leading professional body for illustrators, The AOI have a designed this 6 week interactive online course to help illustrators take proactive steps to progress in their careers. Each week you will explore an essential aspect of freelance illustration, covering self-promotion, licensing, contracts, […]

We look forward to welcoming you to our next meet up where we will talk to Emma Block and explore different streams of income. Emma Block is an illustrator based in London. Her work varies from editorial illustration, publishing, packaging and branding. Emma's first book, The Joy of Watercolour, was released in 2018. Most recently […]

The Exeter Illustration Meet-ups group has expanded into a wider group - Devon and Cornwall Illustrators. Join their first event on the 8th December.

Somerset Illustration's jolly virtual get together

Come enjoy a night with some of the most encouraging mural artist/illustrators you’ll meet in Scotland or beyond.

This session is particularly aimed at illustrators who are underrepresented in public speaking contexts. As well as developing key skills the session will support confidence in proactively seeking opportunities and when speaking in public at schools, panels, festivals and beyond. Areas covered include; Develop a helpful mindset in pursuing speaking opportunities What makes a great […]

Bring your pens & pencils and take part online in AOI London’s ILLO Meet-up! Join Elizabeth Lander for a live architecture drawing session. You may have seen Elizabeth Lander’s #idrawchicken series – an archive of illustrated chicken restaurants around London on Instagram. Elizabeth, a Caribbean illustrator, is known for documenting a community’s culture reflected in […]

The AOI’s Complete Guide to Freelance Illustration   Back by popular demand - we are excited to introduce the second edition of The AOI's Complete Guide to Freelance Illustration.  Harnessing our experience as the world’s leading professional body for illustrators, The AOI have a designed this 6 week interactive online course to help illustrators take […]

Our Manchester illustrator meet up, hosted by Small Fry, continues with a drawing workshop & talk from illustrator and animator Dan Woodger. Get your ticket. For our first Small Fry event of the year, we have the amazing Dan Woodger hosting a talk & drawing workshop. He’ll be taking us on a journey through his […]

The AOI are happy to announce the next set of roundtable talks focussing on Diversity and Equality in Illustration. The first session of 2021 will be themed ‘Thinking Globally’. Chaired by AOI Board member and Illustrator Montana Forbes, we will look at the impact the extraordinary global changes have had on our work and what […]

Join in with drawing prompts set by Bristol illustrators: Molly Fairhurst, Harriet Lee-Merrion and Laurie Stansfield.

Building on feedback from previous sessions we have developed a resource intended to support the commissioning of disabled illustrators and generally open up the conversation. We would like to invite feedback on the resource, so we can ensure it is practical, relevant and useful. Jhinuk Sakar will lead a friendly, informal discussion focussing on the […]

Open to all illustrators – this is the very first Brighton illustrators Meetup! In association with the AOI. Get your ticket.     Join the Flock! Please join us for the the very first Brighton illustrators Meetup! In association with the AOI. This first event will be a FREE online Drink & Draw. An opportunity […]

Join Devon and Cornwall Illustrators for an evening of drawing based on themes of the every day. In conjunction with RAMM Lates and The AOI. RSVP now! For many of us, it’s been a year of repetition. The same rooms, the same people, the same routine. But did you find unexpected beauty in elements of the […]

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT AND OUR WAITLIST IS FULL.  Internationally renowned Illustrator Jon Klassen is best known for his best-selling Hat Box trilogy (I Want My Hat Back, This Is Not My Hat, We Found a Hat), among many other loved titles. In celebration of the release of his highly anticipated […]

Join us for an evening with the inimitable Pam Smy as she talks us through her influences and working practice. Join us for our first AOI Children’s Picture books Meet-up event - an online quarterly meet up hosted by picture book illustrator Rachel Stubbs, and author-illustrator and educator Emily Haworth-Booth. Open to those at all […]

  Enter through a secret Zoom door to join a conversation with published children’s illustrators, Morag Hood and Helen Kellock. Book your ticket. Join host, Illo_G in exploring the professional and multifaceted world of children's publishing, from materials to the finished article. How does a children's illustrator create "happily ever after" in their artwork or […]

Join us for our first drawing meet-up for Blend (a new name for the AOI London illustrators’ meet-up) : a Drink & Draw with special guests from The Good Ship Illustration : Katie Chappell, Helen Stephens, and Tania Willis. Get your tickets here. Bring your drawing materials — and a drink — and join us […]

Join BREW - the first illustrators meet-up for Leeds. RSVP for free below or via Eventbrite. All illustrators are welcome and all you need to bring is a drink, yourself and drawing materials for various prompts and fun times. This event is run by The AOI and hosted by illustrator Hannah Lock. This event is FREE, […]

Join us for discussion and activities surrounding healthy creativity and the ways we can reshape and rethink our creative processes. Book below or via our Eventbrite. “Productivity” is a word which has taken on pretty toxic meanings over the last few years. It’s resulted in an increased pressure on creative folks, especially those who run […]

Small Fry bring together a panel of creatives to reveal their discoveries about the power of having a blend of practices. Small Fry bring together a panel of creatives to reveal their discoveries about the power of having a blend of practices. RSVP below or via our Eventbrite. Having a background in both illustration and graphic […]

Book your ticket below or via our Eventbrite. NFT’s (Non Fungible Tokens) have been increasingly in the news and offer potential new income streams to all artists, including illustrators – but many don’t know what they are. Alex Watt, Partner at Howard Kennedy LLP specialises in IP and has a growing expertise in NFT’s as […]

Join Blend and Freya Moses (AKA Freymo) and learn how to make your own foam stamps for creating your own, personal hand printed characters. Book below or via our Eventbrite. Virtual Drink & Print Workshop Join Blend and Freya Moses (AKA Freymo) and learn how to make your own foam stamps for creating your own, personal […]

The AOI are happy to announce the 2nd set of Roundtable Talks for 2021, focussing on Diversity and Equality in Illustration. Book your free spot below or via our Eventbrite. This 2nd session will be themed ‘the accessibility of illustration’. Chaired by AOI Board member and Illustrator Montana Forbes, we will look at the misconceptions […]

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED AND UNDERWAY.   The AOI’s Complete Guide to Freelance Illustration   Back by popular demand - we are excited to introduce the second edition of The AOI's Complete Guide to Freelance Illustration.  Harnessing our experience as the world’s leading professional body for illustrators, The AOI have a designed […]

Alt text helps search engines to locate your image, getting you in the right place for the right searches! Book below or via our Eventbrite. Alt text are the words that you enter to describe a digital image. By increasing your visibility online, great alt text can help you reach a wider audience, leading to […]

Catalina Carvajal will share her experience of a recent commission building relationships with individuals within her community. Book your spot below or via our Eventbrite. In our recent Diversity and Equality roundtable we understood that some illustrators would value a space to explore how to increase the diversity depicted in their practice. This session is […]

Julian Gray will share an ongoing personal project of case studies on media representations of Trans communities and personalities. Book your ticket below or via our Eventbrite. In our recent Diversity and Equality roundtable we understood that some illustrators would value a space to explore how to increase the diversity depicted in their practice. This […]

Join us and host Dave Bain, as Yukai dives into her process of translating static illustrations into beautiful animations. Book your spot below or via our Eventbrite. Yukai Du is a Chinese-born illustrator and animation director based in the UK. She has created work for Adobe, Apple, WeTransfer, LUSH, the New Yorker, TED Talks, to […]

Welcome to the very first meet-up for Sheffield and South Yorkshire-based Illustrators in conjunction with the AOI. RSVP below or via our Eventbrite. Open to everyone, this is your chance to get to know your working fellow illustration community better. During this introductory evening, we'll be chatting about what's happening in Sheffield, swapping advice learnt […]

The process of creating and publishing masterful picture books. Book below or via our Eventbrite. Chris Haughton is an internationally renowned Designer and Illustrator, best known for authoring award-winning children’s picture books such as A Bit Lost, Oh No George!, SHH! We have a plan, among other loved titles. In celebration of his new book, […]