Hello. I'm an illustrator, designer & creative writer who's been working in art & design for more than 25 years across many design disciplines. I began my creative journey as a Fashion & Textiles graduate specialising in Embroidery & Ceramics at Manchester Metropolitan University. I have run a freelance greeting card business since 1994, producing art licensing products for USA & UK stores like M&S, Paperchase etc. which I still do today. I have taught periodically on BA illustration & MA programs at the University of Manchester, Edinburgh, Teeside & Sunderland. I'm passionate about mentoring emerging talent as I've been blessed to have had & still have many brilliant creatives who take great care of me, including my brilliant agents Claire & Lori @Painted Words illustration agency NY, USA.
My varied creative experiences have included re-designing the kids branding/meals/books/merch for one of USA's largest fast food restaurants, set building for Cosgrove Hall (Brambly Hedge decoupage & repainting the original Noddy) & creating personal timepiece designs for Swatch Watch, Hong Kong. I've designed printed textiles for interior design companies & made costumes for Channel 4.
I completed my MA at The University of Edinburgh in Illustration in 2010 & once I'd found the power of Words & Pictures together I was hooked. I've now illustrated exactly 56.5 titles. Some of my highlights were working with the Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson & illustrated the 2015 BBC Children In Need book which was a No.1 bestseller raising millions for charity with One Direction, Sir Paul McCartney & Kylie to mention a few. In 2018 I was named 150/500 Top Children's Book Influencer & In 2019 I worked with Sesame Street writer Samantha Berger on a picture book called Snail Mail. My own author & illustrated title The Very Very Very Long Dog was named #9 on The Kids Indie Next Picks List & it's protagonist 'Bartleby' is on the Barnes & Nobles Wall Of Fame in NY USA which is now an animation by Dreamscape. I am fortunate to have author illustrated 6 of my own picture books. No.7 Evergreen Street is currently in the Tate Modern Gallery UK & was featured in The Times on Sunday. The Fixer Of Broken Things for Templar, Bonnier Press was published in Feb 2023 & I'll announce a new title with them in the next few months.
The best piece of advice I've ignored (which is becoming quite addictive as I age disgracefully ) was when one of my past lecturers said that they thought 'children's illustration really isn't for you'.....hmm. When not doing serious grown up stuff I love traveling (I was BA stewardess for a while!) constantly finding inspiration for stories everywhere, and attending any event that has the potential to meat fun loving creatives. I have at least 2/3 sketchbooks on the go at once and adore cutting & sticking. I'm very OCD and every book, pencil and collage paper is colour co-ordinated. I'm a huge advocate of silly which I feel is very powerful & find probably due to this i'm irritatingly 99.9 % happy at all times. I love a campfire BBQ, the bigger the better & wild camping in all seasons. Ps. I have been known to talk to my plants which fill my entire studio at home.
LAUNCHED: PICTURES & WORDS
Creative mentoring workshops, portfolio reviews, agent acquisition, manuscript consulting, developmental editing and visiting lectures.
10 years ago I launched a bespoke "Pictures & Words' creative workshop from my rural studio for one-on-one tutorials, since then I've had over 100 creatives with astounding skills come and work with me, achieving their personal & professional goals. Numerous have directly received author & illustrated publishing contracts as a direct result of our 1-1 studio sessions. These tailor-made courses are specifically designed for authors & illustrators wanting feedback on children's picture book texts, illustration development, idea generation, portfolio reviews, industry inside information, manuscript critiques and how to get you & your book 'pitch ready'. I can help you 'join the dots', identify what's missing, turning your creative aspirations into a viable business. With advice on acquiring an agent, re-branding on social media, sketchbook use & how to navigate trade fairs, these courses are proving to be successful for the creatives that have made the pilgrimage to my studio.
I LOVE being a creative mentor, passing on my professional industry inside information to my students. I'm genuinely passionate about making YOU the very best creative you can be. Together we explore the full potential of your own skill sets, helping you develop your own unique visual vocabulary. My ethos is that I genuinely want every student to develop a unique & dynamic portfolio that's ready illuminate the world 🌟
The day commences at 10am-concluding at 3pm with lunch included and costs £150.00. Included in the cost is a Post Tutorial debrief email which will clearly document our creative day with a bespoke reading list, useful contacts page. I will create your own step-by-step action plan 'to-do-list' with follow up support if required. Please feel free to contact me and enquire about your specific requirements.
I have also, due to popular demand, began to offer an on line, digital reach-out service for students who can't make the journey to visit me, which is £30.00 ph for manuscript/text reviews, book proposals, portfolio reviews & agent acquisitions. Please don't hesitate to contact me for a personalised quote.
Testimonials
"Julia holds a space where she passionately and insightfully guides, prods, questions, communicates, develops and helps build a platform allowing for the artist to move forward knowing there is wealth of support behind them.” Lou Prentice
"Julia’s workshop was an amazing experience. The knowledge she shared with me was invaluable. I learnt so much from Julia and I left feeling I had the tools and support to reach my goals”. Gillian Flint
"The one to one tuition I have received from Juls has improved my confidence and given me a deeper understanding of how to become a published illustrator. Juls’ workshops are fun, relaxed and the tailored action plan she creates after each session provides clear direction, tips and ideas for moving forward in your career as a professional illustrator" Sarah Peel
When I met Julia I instantly felt at ease with her, it was meeting an old friend! Because of her natural manner, I felt very comfortable talking about and showing my work to her, she was very complementary and encouraging. Once I had returned home after our time together, Julia gave me a full email summary of a day to day clear working plan that made complete sense. She emails back instantly with solutions to any questions I have and it's just great to have this level of emotional and practical help. Julia provides a very professional and caring service." Michelle Breen
"Julia Patton is a very rare breed as not only is she an excellent teacher but also an excellent role model. She is a wonderfully warm person, who I found very nurturing of my own individual strengths and very generous with her time along with sharing vital information. But to top it all, from my perspective as a working mother who finds it a continual battle to balance home and work life, she is a true inspiration. For not only is Julia an incredibly talented and successful author/illustrator, along with managing all of her educational events, but this is all done whilst raising children of her own!
I went to Julia in need of encouragement and help with my creative direction and I came away feeling on top of the world and ready for anything.
In short, I would thoroughly recommend her workshop!" Shana Nieberg-Suschitzky
I LOVE being a creative mentor, passing on my professional industry inside information to my students. I'm genuinely passionate about making YOU the very best creative you can be. Together we explore the full potential of your own skill sets, helping you develop your own unique visual vocabulary. My ethos is that I genuinely want every student to develop a unique & dynamic portfolio that's ready illuminate the world 🌟
The day commences at 10am-concluding at 3pm with lunch included and costs £150.00. Included in the cost is a Post Tutorial debrief email which will clearly document our creative day with a bespoke reading list, useful contacts page. I will create your own step-by-step action plan 'to-do-list' with follow up support if required. Please feel free to contact me and enquire about your specific requirements.
I have also, due to popular demand, began to offer an on line, digital reach-out service for students who can't make the journey to visit me, which is £30.00 ph for manuscript/text reviews, book proposals, portfolio reviews & agent acquisitions. Please don't hesitate to contact me for a personalised quote.
Testimonials
"Julia holds a space where she passionately and insightfully guides, prods, questions, communicates, develops and helps build a platform allowing for the artist to move forward knowing there is wealth of support behind them.” Lou Prentice
"Julia’s workshop was an amazing experience. The knowledge she shared with me was invaluable. I learnt so much from Julia and I left feeling I had the tools and support to reach my goals”. Gillian Flint
"The one to one tuition I have received from Juls has improved my confidence and given me a deeper understanding of how to become a published illustrator. Juls’ workshops are fun, relaxed and the tailored action plan she creates after each session provides clear direction, tips and ideas for moving forward in your career as a professional illustrator" Sarah Peel
When I met Julia I instantly felt at ease with her, it was meeting an old friend! Because of her natural manner, I felt very comfortable talking about and showing my work to her, she was very complementary and encouraging. Once I had returned home after our time together, Julia gave me a full email summary of a day to day clear working plan that made complete sense. She emails back instantly with solutions to any questions I have and it's just great to have this level of emotional and practical help. Julia provides a very professional and caring service." Michelle Breen
"Julia Patton is a very rare breed as not only is she an excellent teacher but also an excellent role model. She is a wonderfully warm person, who I found very nurturing of my own individual strengths and very generous with her time along with sharing vital information. But to top it all, from my perspective as a working mother who finds it a continual battle to balance home and work life, she is a true inspiration. For not only is Julia an incredibly talented and successful author/illustrator, along with managing all of her educational events, but this is all done whilst raising children of her own!
I went to Julia in need of encouragement and help with my creative direction and I came away feeling on top of the world and ready for anything.
In short, I would thoroughly recommend her workshop!" Shana Nieberg-Suschitzky
University, college lectures and school creative classes:
As an established lecturer from both Edinburgh, Manchester, Teeside & Sunderland University I offer the following workshops & interactive presentations for educational establishments.
Professional practice, portfolios & preparations for day 1
This presentation is tailored specifically to individuals taking their first steps into children’s publishing, which is delivered by a collection of bespoke workshops and activities. Tutorials include industry inside information, getting day 1 ready, portfolio guidance, manuscript feedback, trade shows, personal growth & advice on how to find the perfect agent.
Words and pictures
This presentation is an introduction to the collaborative relationship between visual & verbal communication and their relationship within the format of a picture book. We take a look at how illustrations can illuminate characters, suggest the magical and interpret the unspoken, and how words can elevate drama, evoke emotions, concluding with a comment on the power & accessibility of wordless books.
Drawing Masterclasses
This brilliantly fun, hands-on workshop involves either a beginners, intermediate, or advanced life & still life drawing class utilising a variety of medias. We cover the importance of sketchbooks, colour, composition, scale, line, tone & sequential imagery. I show you new and innovative methods of media application & discovering your own visual vocabulary/style.
School Creative classes
1-3 day creative classes. These hands-on fun workshops are inspired by UP-cycling & RE-using, RE-cycled materials to create 'topic specific' artwork suitable for every age group.
Visiting lectures are either half or full day presentations beginning with a personal introduction, interactive group workshops concussing with individual tutorials. For half/full day fees please feel free to contact me at julia@juliapatton.co.uk.
Professional practice, portfolios & preparations for day 1
This presentation is tailored specifically to individuals taking their first steps into children’s publishing, which is delivered by a collection of bespoke workshops and activities. Tutorials include industry inside information, getting day 1 ready, portfolio guidance, manuscript feedback, trade shows, personal growth & advice on how to find the perfect agent.
Words and pictures
This presentation is an introduction to the collaborative relationship between visual & verbal communication and their relationship within the format of a picture book. We take a look at how illustrations can illuminate characters, suggest the magical and interpret the unspoken, and how words can elevate drama, evoke emotions, concluding with a comment on the power & accessibility of wordless books.
Drawing Masterclasses
This brilliantly fun, hands-on workshop involves either a beginners, intermediate, or advanced life & still life drawing class utilising a variety of medias. We cover the importance of sketchbooks, colour, composition, scale, line, tone & sequential imagery. I show you new and innovative methods of media application & discovering your own visual vocabulary/style.
School Creative classes
1-3 day creative classes. These hands-on fun workshops are inspired by UP-cycling & RE-using, RE-cycled materials to create 'topic specific' artwork suitable for every age group.
Visiting lectures are either half or full day presentations beginning with a personal introduction, interactive group workshops concussing with individual tutorials. For half/full day fees please feel free to contact me at julia@juliapatton.co.uk.
Fellow illustrator Chris Chatterton and I brainstorming on his 'Pictures & Pictures' workshop . We collectively made 4 new picture book concepts and synopsis in one day, and weeks later his first book was commissioned by Macmilllan Books. A very successful day's work.
Contributing articles: Publications events & public speaking
School visits
Please feel free to contact me regarding a visit to your school for book readings, arts & crafts workshops & creative writing fun.
Hand-illustrated, signed books, bespoke commissions, prints, greeting cards, postcards are now available to order. Please feel free to contact me at julia@juliapatton.co.uk and I can create something super-special just for you. Ps. Some brand-new postcards of all my latest books have just arrived! I'll send you or your school some to go with your signed and personally illustrated books-just give me a shout out on Twitter or Instagram.
Here are some of my clients
Chunjae Education Ltd. Korea.
