Family Art Workshop: Characters, National Portrait Gallery

Amongst the range of family friendly activities on offer at the National Portrait Gallery this summer is a unique masterclass in character design with children’s illustrator and winner of the 2013 Cambridge ‘Read it Again’ Picture Book Award, Jenni Desmond. 

Jenni’s partnership with The National Portrait Gallery began when she was selected to illustrate the Family Trail for this year’s BP Portrait Award Exhibition – which you can still catch until 21st September. Her loveable family of characters captured the imagination of visitors of all ages – and a fortunate few will be lucky enough to hear just how she went about creating them and, under her expert guidance, to try their own hand at character illustration.

This event is a free but tickets are limited and will be allocated from an hour before it starts, so we recommend arriving early to avoid disappointment. After the workshop Jenni will stay for a book-signing. Her picture books Red Cat, Blue Cat, Mister Orange and Eric the Boy Who Lost His Gravity are all well worth the children’s prior attention, and once they’ve become enchanted by the beautiful artwork and charming storylines they’ll be eager to take home signed copies of a new family favourite.