Isabella has over 15 years of teaching experience at various establishments such as Academy of Art University, California College of Art, Storyteller Academy, and Etchr Lab. She enjoys giving presentations and workshops at events and conferences. Please feel free to contact her for more information!
Currently, Isabella has a foundational and an advanced course on Illustration (co-created with Julie Downing), as well as a mini watercolor class available online at Storyteller Academy.
Lectures on Illustration and storytelling
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Portfolio or Picture Book Critiques
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1-on-1 Mentorships and Coaching
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Direct, Specific and Actionable Feedback
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Emphasizes Craft over Formulas
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Lectures on Illustration and storytelling ✳︎ Portfolio or Picture Book Critiques ✳︎ 1-on-1 Mentorships and Coaching ✳︎ Direct, Specific and Actionable Feedback ✳︎ Emphasizes Craft over Formulas ✳︎
SCBWI Oktoberfest Conference 2023
Isabella has developed many lectures on a wide range of topics. Here are some of her most proud and well-received lectures:
Laugh Out Literature: Creating Humor in Picture Books
The Process of Nunu and the Sea - An ode to big emotions, imagination, and creativity
Think Visually - Imagining the Invisible Illustrator
Goal Setting & Creating Productive Habits
Preparation and Tips for Making a Great Portfolio
One-on-one Critique / Coaching
Isabella loves working with other creators! Book a one-on-one 30-minute critique or coaching session with her via Zoom. Availability changes throughout the year.
More details and submission guidelines here on the registration link:
“I just completed my last session with Isabella and she is SUCH a treasure - especially for author/illustrators who want to sharpen both their illustration and and their storytelling skills! She has a special and very thoughtful way to help you get to the heartbeat of your story and your images.”
“Isabella is a great mentor for anyone doing both the writing and illustration for their books, because she’s able to provide feedback on both and how they can support each other. She’s encouraging and specific in her feedback, so you know exactly what’s working and what is not.”
Picture taken by Lorenz Angelo
“Books for children may seem “simple”, but “simple” is never easy. It is the result of countless selective creative decisions about structure, pacing, language, visual storytelling, character, and emotional truth. It is the genuine care for the young readers’ experience. It is the calling to dig deeply and discover the core of one’s story. It is the vulnerability and courage to share one’s heart with the world. It is all of the above and more that make writing for children serious business.
My goal as a teacher is not to tell students what to write, but to help them develop the strongest version of the stories only they can tell. I like to emphasize craft over formulas in my teaching, focusing on why a story works or doesn’t, and homing in on what is at the heart of each narrative. I generally only share prescriptive rules as a guideline, and sometimes as an invitation to break such rules, if a story calls for it.”
— Isabella Kung