Story

Bringing stories to life: Filo’s Book Illustration journey

Written byCarys Thomas
Published date 04 August 2026

**Image: Student work by Filomene Brachet | Filomene Brachet**

Filomene Brachet swapped legal studies for sketchbooks after completing her Solicitor’s Qualifying Examination to rediscover her passion for storytelling on our Book Illustration Short Course.

Filo, whose work was highly commended in the Macmillan Illustration Competition, tells us about her experience on the course and the idea behind her inspiring submission.

I went into every class genuinely excited to try something new.

— Filomene Brachet, Short Course Student

The joy of storytelling

"I grew up across France and Switzerland and moved to London to study law at King’s College," says Filo. "I’ve always loved to draw growing up but wasn’t able to do it consistently during my degree. After I completed my SQE (Solicitor’s Qualifying Examination), I picked it up again."

"I’d always been interested in storytelling and had written a couple of short stories in the past," she tells us, "I saw there was a Book Illustration Short Course at UAL and thought why not!"

Understanding visual language

Students on our Book Illustration Short Course can gain confidence in character development, explore materials, layout and composition and uncover the relationship between illustration and text.

"I really felt that I could explore my own style, particularly as we tried a range of techniques l wasn’t familiar with like collage, drawing from observation, etc," says Filo. "I truly felt at ease despite not having done a prior illustration course or other art curriculum and went into every class genuinely excited to try something new."

"My favourite aspect of the course was how balanced it was despite the limited amount of time we had - we were able to explore all aspects of putting a picture book together and each worked on a final project, coming away with something concrete (which in my case inspired my MacPrize submission)."

**Image: Left: Filomene Brachet right: student work by Filomene Brachet | Filomene Brachet**

Building creative confidence

The Book Illustration Short Course is led by practising illustrators who can offer inspiration and insight into the current children's book market. Students learn in a supportive environment and benefit from valuable one-on-one tuition sessions as well as group feedback.

"Zehra Hicks was my tutor and she was utterly amazing," Filo tells us. "Everyone else in the group was really supportive and encouraging, so the atmosphere during the week was great. Our respective levels really varied and so my fear that the course was too advanced was pretty much instantly eradicated."

Industry insights

During the course, students receive useful portfolio tips and learn how to approach an agent or publisher. Filo found this kind of insider knowledge particularly helpful while working on her competition entry.

"Zehra inspired me to participate in the competition," says Filo. "She also provided us with really helpful industry tips including information on publishers, agencies and general opportunities for emerging or aspiring illustrators! As someone who didn’t know much about that world coming into the course, the extra guidance was much appreciated."

"As my final project, I developed a character during the course. I wasn’t sure what to do with him at first but eventually, the character became the basis for my MacPrize submission. My entry depicted a small goblin-like creature going around collecting (arguably stealing) things. I liked the idea of creating a strange, scenic world and taking the creature through a multitude of bizarre landscapes. Throughout the story he’s curiously observed by nosy animals, who eventually follow him back to his den."

Looking ahead

"The course definitely motivated me to explore illustration further," says Filo. "I came away so inspired by the exercises we performed but also by everyone else’s creativity in the group."

"It was such a special week for me, and I wouldn’t have entered the competition had I not enrolled in the course! I’d strongly recommend trying one of the short courses - you never know if it’ll unlock something you truly want to invest yourself in!"

Take a look at Filo’s beautifully crafted illustrations on her Instagram.

Ready to explore your creativity through illustration? Learn how to develop your visual language, hone your drawing skills and design engaging characters with a short course. Browse our range of illustration short courses.

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