Events

Bring your markers, brushes, pens for the unmissable after-dinner creative activity at the 9th IllUSTRATORS DINNER PARTY, with live drawing We know that AOI members will be attending the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and although we won’t be attending this year, we really recommend going along to this illustrators’ dinner, which is held each time the Fair […]

Creative Lives in Progress' next Pep Talk is set for Wednesday 30h March at 1pm.Tune in on Instagram Live as Erica Dorn, the lead graphic designer for Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, talks about her journey so far, and specialising in graphic design for film. About Erica Dorn Erica Dorn is a London-based graphic designer with […]

See six decades of British art through one versatile medium. Including works by Edward Bawden, Peter Blake, Tracey Emin, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Chris Ofili, Grayson Perry and Rachel Whiteread, amongst others, this extraordinary exhibition features over 100 prints by 90 different artists. From wood engravings and etchings to lithographs and screenprints, printmaking enabled artists […]

This exhibition, originated by Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books, features a number of Judith Kerr's original illustrations from the Seven Stories collection and promises to bring this delightful book to life for a new generation of family audiences. There will also be a reproduction of Sophie's kitchen, where young visitors can sit […]

North East artist and award-winning children’s author Simon Bartram brings his provocative exhibition Under the Vapour Trails to Hartlepool Art Gallery this new year. Under the Vapour Trails features paintings and drawings of post industrial men who, somewhat stereotypically, find their identities in the clothes they wear, the haircuts they sport and the football team […]

Develop skills and fill your sketchbooks at this regular informal drawing group for Adults, 16+. Fill your sketchbooks at this regular informal drawing group for Adults (16+ only). Take inspiration from our collection at York Art Gallery and enhance your drawing skills with the help and support of a community artist. If you’re more than […]

The Royal Drawing School presents drawings, prints and works on paper by postgraduate students of The Drawing Year in a series of exhibitions in central and east London and online. The exhibition showcases the next generation of creatives, who have spent the last 18 months developing their artistic practice through drawing from observation. The graduating […]

An outdoor botanical illustration workshop, capturing the beauty of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s rhododendrons in bloom. Inspired by the spectacular Rhododendron illustrations in our exhibition Rhododendrons: Riddle, Obsession, Threat? Take a close look at the rhododendrons flowering in the Garden and create your own studies of these stunning plants, guided by Jacqui Pestell, RBGE […]

Sketch on-site at at this one-off workshop. Get an exclusive look at House of Illustration's new home at New River Head at this on-site drawing workshop with illustrator Siôn Ap Tomos. Siôn has been sharing his knowledge and experience of drawing the London landscape for over 20 years, and now he’ll be your guide to […]

Meet a cast of strange and mysterious characters at the Heath Robinson Museum’s first exhibition of 2022, featuring artwork from the children’s stories that the artist both wrote and illustrated. In 1902 Heath Robinson was commissioned by Grant Richards to write and illustrate a new children’s book and he took the episodic structure of Don […]

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the V&A Illustration Awards. Free to enter, the Awards celebrate excellence in student illustration and three categories of contemporary practice: book cover design, book illustration and illustrated journalism. Award winners and the student shortlist will feature in a display of digital prints in the V&A South Kensington galleries. Each […]

Ikon presents the first UK exhibition by renowned Sámi (Swedish) artist Britta Marakatt-Labba. Under the Vast Sky features embroidered pieces by Marakatt-Labba for which she is best known, including panoramas chronicling the history, culture and cosmology of the Sámi, the Indigenous population of the northernmost parts of Scandinavia. These are combined with other art forms […]

NOW Gallery announces the 2022 Young Artist Commission Feeling Good by Joy Yamusangie. The Young Artist commission, now in its 4th year, is awarded to outstanding rising talents in the fields of visual arts and illustration. Free to view from 24 March – 5 June 2022, Yamusangie invites the viewer to interrogate constructs around identity […]

Ink Paper + Print is back for their annual fair showcasing a wonderful array of work by local and national artists, print makers, and publishers. Admission is FREE through Eventbrite (or £2 on the door) and there are over 50 exhibitors selling unique handmade objects. There are also some fascinating talks taking place given by […]

Creativity and Wellbeing Week is back for 2022! From 16th - 22nd May you can join a host online and offline events happening across the UK and useful resources as part of Creativity Week 2022. Creativity and Wellbeing week is a partnership between London Arts in Health Forum and the Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance. It […]

Join the the shortlist announcement evening for the Klaus Flugge Prize at a very special event at Waterstones Piccadilly, London. Emily Gravett, as a 2022 judge, will be in conversation with Julia Eccleshare at 6.30pm and this will be followed by the announcement of the shortlist shortly after 7.15pm. Doors open at 6.00pm. and there […]

Still Here Still Life in real life drawing workshop! We will work with Locke to create an incredible Still Life from which you can draw. About this event With a glass of wine in hand, Still Here Still Life began. Still Here Still Life was founded during March 2020; a time of fear and uncertainty […]

Hayao Miyazaki, the Academy Museum’s inaugural temporary exhibition, marks the first North American museum retrospective dedicated to the work of its namesake: the internationally celebrated artist and filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. Curated by the museum’s Exhibitions Curator Jessica Niebel and Assistant Curator J. Raúl Guzmán and organized in collaboration with Japan’s Studio Ghibli, which Miyazaki co-founded […]

How can artists explore and navigate the changing environment, climate instability and justice to create a more sustainable future?  Online series runs on 5th May, 25th May and 8th June 2022 This Spring, through a series of online events and content, Art + Environment will explore the impact of climate instability on the arts and […]

'The Professional Training Course Illustration is a full time course consisting of workshops on various topics related to illustration. With this course, you will develop artistic techniques and digital skills, combined with the art of communicating through illustration applied on relevant platforms for illustration' COURSE CONTENT The course was designed to give students who already […]

Faber and Andlyn announce the opening of the FAB Prize for undiscovered writers and illustrators from underrepresented backgrounds. The first of its kind in the UK, and now in its sixth year, the FAB Prize aims to discover and showcase new talent, closing the gap between what is currently published and the reality for many […]

A slideshow of selected artworks from Hong Kong artist Chihoi’s graphic novel, based on a story written by Taiwanese poet Hung Hung, evokes a dreamlike train journey. The story is about a long-haul train that runs day and night around the island. It has many carriages which separate and reconnect. People lose family and loved […]

Learn how to create authentic and convincing characters from real life scenarios with well-known illustrator Sara Ogilvie (Dogs Don’t Do Ballet) and Simon & Schuster’s Art Director Jane Buckley (winner of 2021’s British Book Awards Designer of the Year). Over two half-days you’ll learn how to capture detail from body language to develop your characters […]

Mayfair Art Weekend + MAW Presents Mayfair Art Weekend is the annual celebration of the world’s internationally renowned gallery district. The ninth edition will take place 24–26 June 2022, with the extended programme of free events including the Mayfair Sculpture Trail in collaboration with Art in Mayfair; a curated artists’ moving image screening, the May […]

AOI Member Jan Bowman invites you to her Open Studio and Garden in Deptford, southeast London (just a few minutes away from Deptford Market, which is also on Saturday). Drop round for new prints, cards, sketchbooks to peruse, iPad sketching demos and flowers in a chaotic, tiny but wonderful garden. See more of Jan's work here.

Nicer Tuesdays is a monthly talks event, bringing together speakers from across the creative world. The June edition welcomes Hato & Simon Beckerman, the design practice and minds behind the new app Delli, creative agency A Vibe Called Tech, advertising company Droga 5, and illustrator Anu Ambasana. Throughout their talks, you’ll discover what it’s like […]

A display illustrating the work of Sir James Thornhill, and his process of developing and drawing intricate designs for his mural paintings. Runs from 22nd July 2021 Sir James Thornhill was one of the most renowned artists of early 18th-century Britain whose mural paintings adorned the walls and ceilings of prestigious buildings throughout the country. […]

Artwork from Joanna Robson's artists book 'A Knavish Lad' (2016) will be featured at the National Building Museum (NBM) in Washington D.C. as part of a collaboration the NBM are doing this summer with the Folger Shakespeare Library. The artwork from the book will form part of an immersive installation for visitors to walk through within […]

Go Slow is Lauren’s first solo exhibition. The overall mood for the exhibition is one of joy and curiosity with ‘go slow’ as a motto for slowing down and viewing the natural world with curiosity for all it’s intricacies. The exhibition is led by a new series of large scale prints and accompanied by Lauren’s […]

Pop Up Projects CIC are running a series of free literature and publishing courses for young people who identify as LGBTQ+, as part of their Rainbow Library Project. Participants will develop their creative skills while also providing support to the publication of books for children and young people that include LGBTQ+ identities and experiences.   […]

Small World - Big Circus is the third solo exhibition of emerging artist Lucky Azad.  The exhibition will consist of a series of 20 prints portraying the pandemonium of the world’s affairs in a glorious array of ecstatic colour. Lucky has illustrated busy digital images in a style which he describes as ‘Hieronymus Bosch for […]

The Illustrators’ Fair 2022 returns to its usual venue, the giant entrance hall at the Granary Building on Granary Square King’s Cross. Over 100 illustration stalls featured work raging from prints, products, books and more. Taking part: They want to hear from you if you would like to take part. But be quick! Even though […]

The Urban Sketchers London 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Weekend - a fitting way to mark a decade of drawing around the capital.  Urban Sketchers London began as a small group of like-minded people meeting from time time at a cafe or pub to draw together and discuss sketchbooks. Ten years on, Urban Sketchers London organise […]

Get to grips with drawing real and imagined faces in this three day course for adults hosted at London Metropolitan Archives. Whether you're drawing someone from life or creating a new character, getting their face 'just right' is essential. This in-person course combines demonstrations, life drawing, practical activities and illustrated lectures to give you the […]

Discover some of the most compelling emerging talents in the field of contemporary drawing, displayed alongside highlights from The British Museum's collection dating back to the early 1500s. Emerging British artists are taking the medium of drawing in new directions – using innovative approaches, methods and media. This exhibition spans a wide range of techniques […]

A special exhibition highlighting the humour of William Heath Robinson launches on 21st May at his eponymous museum in Pinner as part of their celebrations of his 150th birthday. The Humour of William Heath Robinson features a chronological cross- section of his ironic observations, including the comically convoluted contraptions that made him a household name. […]

Enter a world of possibility where the walls are blank canvases and the flick of a spray can inspire rebellion and revolution. About this event Street Art has been described as the most important artistic movement of the 21st Century, but it actually dates back to thousands of years ago. If you're a lover of […]

Gee Jay Arts is collaborating with the amazing Zentistic Gallery to deliver a fun Graffiti crossover with Kawaii illustrations and Fai Chun which is Cantonese for fun. Come along and join us for an East meets West art experience. You will explore Chinese and Japanese graffiti by creating your own personal response. Tickets £25 see […]

This is the first opportunity to see original linocut illustrations by St Albans-based illustrator-printmaker Jonathan Emmerson from a brand new natural history picture book 'Above, Below and Long Ago' (publication date: 13th October), as part of a group exhibition called 'Making an Impression'. The artists' inspirations, techniques and outcomes are diverse, with their common link […]

The School of Illustration have partnered with The Art House in Sheffield to deliver a live 2 day masterclass in illustration for storytelling. You’ll explore the fundamentals of illustrating for a range of narrative commercial outcomes, from children’s picture books to graphic novels. You’ll learn about story structure, character design, composition and everything else you could possibly need […]

Based in Fife, Jill Calder has been working as an illustrator since 1993. She is also a calligrapher and a digital artist with a love of drawing, and a passion for bright colour. This exhibition gives you a glimpse into Jill’s world from her beginnings at art college in Cumbria in the late 1980s to […]

This is the first art exhibition of the work of Don Mak to be held in the UK. Mak is an illustrator from Hong Kong who relocated to the UK in 2021. This exhibition showcases two sets of Mak's paintings: the first set is called "Once Upon a Hong Kong", an illustration series for the […]

Illustrations by new AOI member Hannah Moshtael feature in the SCOPE 2022 Creative Showcase, Paisley. SCOPE is a contemporary, experimental and collaborative collective with a focus on improving the creative ecology of Renfrewshire. Scope Collective are hosting a public showcase of various creative outputs by creatives who live in, work in or for those who […]

The Showroom presents Amp Envelope, the first solo exhibition in London by artist Adam Shield. Shield's new body of work opens up drawing and collage as a means of exploring interior worlds; with imagery encompassing references distilled from post-apocalyptic science fiction writing, dystopian dream projectors, seventeenth century alchemy and everyday encounters with political, societal and […]

AOI Patron Sir Quentin Blake is exhibiting a series of new works at Hastings Contemporary. “Since discovering the rewarding possibilities of drawing with the humble biro, I have spent the past few months creating a series of imaginary portraits using a range of techniques from academic shading to cross hatching. As the first Artist Patron […]

MoCDA Digital Summer Show 2022 is a group show featuring 30 works by emerging creatives. Organised in collaboration with international art schools and universities, the exhibition celebrates the diversity and energy of talented artists from all over the world while promoting new perspectives on digital creativity. AOI Member Ly Leova is exhibiting as part of […]

Celebrating Nature An exhibition celebrating all things botanical, shown through images of plant portraits, in various mediums, that aim to reflect the variety and wonder of our natural world. This celebration draws attention to the many ways nature evokes our senses – visually, through the beauty of flowers and leaves. Through the spectacular colours that […]

Small Fry's Maisy Summer and Sarah Wilson are offering a limited amount of portfolio reviews in September. They deliver personalised feedback via Loom which they'll pre-record and send to you to watch in your own time + action steps you can implement going forward. They will send this recording to you in early September. Please note: this is […]

The 2022 V&A Illustration Awards winners, runners up and highly commended entries will feature in a display at the V&A from 20 July, alongside previous winners, to celebrate the awards’ 50th anniversary. Gallery 88a & 90, South Kensington Illustration by Gérard DuBois, winner of the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year Prize and Book Illustration […]

Get in while you can! Visits for timed entry: 8 to 11 and 15 to 18 September 2022. Visit the derelict industrial site that will become the national centre for illustration, with installations by Laura Copsey & Philip Crewe and Sharpay Chenyuè Yuán. Restoring the 300-year-old former waterworks will create the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration. […]

illustradays, the first illustration festival in Greece, returns for its second edition bigger, more colorful and more creative, under the theme Beam of light. By choosing this theme, the team shares their intention to shed light onto the art community and their work, making this unique form of art even brighter. illustradays 2022: Beam of light will be […]

This September, the Pictoplasma Conference returns to Berlin to present an all-new selection of trailblazing, trendsetting character design and art. The conference will provide a platform for artists to share ideation processes and working methodologies in focused presentations. International creators and producers from illustration and animation, design and interactive, and urban and graphic arts will […]

Gibraltar, Our Sacred earth, Our Sense of Place Is an exhibition featuring the work of Shane Dalmedo, along with eight other artists from Gibraltar. Curated by Philippa Beale with an introduction by Matthew Collings.Dalmedo is exhibiting two works in mixed media, one which is a large child-size sculpture accompanied by her ‘house’, which she pulls […]

A workshop for creatives to nail down the dreaded About page with Small Fry Collective and Brand Warrior. When it comes to writing your About page, as creatives, it’s easy to shy away from it. Or fall asleep doing it! It’s time to change that in this productive and fun workshop. After all, your About […]

'Are you a junior animation professional looking for a way to specialise in storyboarding? Then this course is what you need Build up your portfolio and a set of skills that will significantly improve your chances to get hired as a storyboard artist on TV series, animated feature films and VFX live-action films' Application deadline: […]