Fairytale & Folklore Illustration - Live Online Course - 9/02/27

€260.00

Fairytale & Folklore Illustration - A five-week live online course

Journey deep into the dark woods of fairytale and folklore illustration—where bears, wolves, giants, witches, ghouls and the fae still live untouched by modern life.

Inspired by classic tales and legends from across ancient Europe, this five-week online course combines live storytelling with guided illustration exercises, visual research and creative assignments. You’ll learn how to draw inspiration from a story, translate narrative into imagery and develop illustrations of your own.

Working with East Indian ink, fine liners, Ecoline and pencils, we’ll explore the core techniques of classic fairytale and folklore illustration. Over five live classes, you’ll experiment with atmosphere, character, symbolism and storytelling while developing your ideas into a new series of work.

The course offers time, structure and community support to help you keep creating between classes. Recordings and assignments will be made available online, and participants can share their work, ideas and discoveries through our private WhatsApp group. There is ample time for valuable feedback, and assignments can be adjusted according to experience and level.

This course is for anyone who loves to draw and sink into stories. There is no pressure to perform or produce perfect work—just five weeks of drawing, storytelling, learning and exploring together. All levels are welcome; all you need is curiosity and an interest in illustration and story.

Your guide is artist and illustrator Ailisha Shannon, who has taught drawing and visual storytelling since 2009. Her illustrations have featured in Penguin books and New York Times bestsellers.

Fairytale & Folklore Illustration - A five-week live online course

Journey deep into the dark woods of fairytale and folklore illustration—where bears, wolves, giants, witches, ghouls and the fae still live untouched by modern life.

Inspired by classic tales and legends from across ancient Europe, this five-week online course combines live storytelling with guided illustration exercises, visual research and creative assignments. You’ll learn how to draw inspiration from a story, translate narrative into imagery and develop illustrations of your own.

Working with East Indian ink, fine liners, Ecoline and pencils, we’ll explore the core techniques of classic fairytale and folklore illustration. Over five live classes, you’ll experiment with atmosphere, character, symbolism and storytelling while developing your ideas into a new series of work.

The course offers time, structure and community support to help you keep creating between classes. Recordings and assignments will be made available online, and participants can share their work, ideas and discoveries through our private WhatsApp group. There is ample time for valuable feedback, and assignments can be adjusted according to experience and level.

This course is for anyone who loves to draw and sink into stories. There is no pressure to perform or produce perfect work—just five weeks of drawing, storytelling, learning and exploring together. All levels are welcome; all you need is curiosity and an interest in illustration and story.

Your guide is artist and illustrator Ailisha Shannon, who has taught drawing and visual storytelling since 2009. Her illustrations have featured in Penguin books and New York Times bestsellers.

Master the art of Fairy Tale & Folklore Illustration, together

This 5-week course offers an open, supportive and inclusive creative space where creatives of all levels can experiment, learn and develop their illustration skills with personal guidance and feedback from an experienced teacher

  • Dates: Tuesday 9th of Feb ‘27 – Tuesday 9th of March ‘27

  • Duration: Five weeks, with one 2.5-hour class per week

  • Time: 20:00–22:30 Amsterdam time (CEST/CET)

  • Tuition: €260 pp (incl VAT)

  • Classes: each Tuesday night

  • Location: Live online via Zoom

  • Levels: This course is a warm and inclusive gathering for learners from beginner to pro, with assignments adapted to each level. A little drawing experience (even a bit of high school sketching) will help you get more out of the course.

  • Days: Tuesday 9, 16 and 23 February; 2 and 9 March 2027

  • List of materials needed provided before the course starts

  • Language: English, with Dutch translation available

  • Class size: Minimum 12, maximum 23 students

  • All classes are recorded and made exclusively available to students in this class. Perfect for catching up on a missed class.

  • WhatsApp group to stay in touch and share inspiration

  • Extra technique assignments for those who request them

Course Details

What you’ll learn

Meet your teacher

Ailisha Shannon is an illustrator, artist and educator who has taught art since 2009, specialising in visual storytelling and traditional illustration. Her illustrations appear in Melissa K. Roehrich’s New York Times bestselling Legacy series, as well as in the deluxe editions of The Aesymarean Duet and The Esprithean Trilogy by Bree Grenwich and Parker Lennox, amongst others. She is one half of the illustration duo Studio Duco. Working entirely by hand with traditional dip pens and East Indian ink, Ailisha creates supportive, immersive classes with loads of personal feedback and rich in storytelling that help students develop their skills and discover who they are creatively.

  • “Ailisha has a great way of challenging you, while creating a vibe that is supportive, comforting and inspiring.

    This class couldn’t have come at a better time; I wanted to get myself out of a major creative block, and the course has definitely pushed me in the right direction. While I already had quite some drawing experience, this class made me get out of my comfort zone, gave me new perspectives and challenged me in a way that got me working hard and loving it again!”

    — Marjolein

  • “Ailisha’s classes have given me an incredible insight into how to put my imagination on paper.

    “Ailisha’s classes have given me an incredible insight into how to put my imagination on paper. There are no rules and no judgements when you come to class. I started this class as a complete beginner amongst very talented individuals, but Ailisha made sure to guide me and tailor each class to every level. The class not only provides a space every week to focus on your artwork but also encourages a welcoming and supportive environment, often accompanied by a nice cup of tea! I cannot recommend this experience enough, with the perfect mix of improving your own skills and being part of a lovely artistic group of individuals.”

    - Juliette

  • “I took two drawing classes already, and found myself discovering a new talent.

    Ailisha teaches with such patience and love for art.
    It’s a delight to join in every week. Levels can be different, but there is much to learn for everyone!”

    — Matea

  • “Tuesday night has become my absolute favourite of the week since starting Ailisha’s drawing classes!

    I have learned so many tips and tricks to better understand and improve my drawing and the use of new techniques. Ailisha knows how to help me at my own level, whether that is by showing me an example of how to draw clouds or challenging me to just keep going and eventually create that kick-ass piece of work. She also comes up with the coolest drawing assignments each week, creates a lovely atmosphere in class and is a really cool lady overall! But my favourite thing about this class is connecting with lovely people all over the world, sharing stories, drawing inspiration and cups of tea.”

    — Melissa

  • “The class is a creative, informal and safe space where you can draw, chat and learn.

    Ailisha always finds new and interesting themes to develop in different techniques, is very happy to answer your questions or help you out when stuck in a difficult spot. What I appreciate the most is the opportunity to meet new people from around Europe, share my passion for illustration and always learn something new, not just from the teacher, but from the other participants as well.”

    — Sebrina

  • “Ailisha’s drawing courses are a great way for me to get my creativity flowing.

    Through group and personal assignments, I learned more about my own style and direction, and Ailisha challenged me to go deeper into why I am making what I am making. The atmosphere in the online class is great! It is a safe space to share creative work and motivate each other. This class is an accessible way to make more art. There is always room for technical questions, but there is also room to say you ‘just feel stuck’ and ways to deal with that. And lastly, there’s a lot of fun, light, and good banter as well!

    Ailisha is always willing to go deeper into your questions and to explain things, sometimes getting back to you about it in the next class. There are no dumb questions. Overall, the class is really fun, helpful and a great way to learn more about your own art”

    — Babs

Join the Fairy Tale & Folklore Illustration course today

This 5-week course offers an open, supportive and inclusive creative space where creatives of all levels can experiment, learn and develop their illustration skills with personal guidance and feedback from an experienced teacher