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⭐ INCURSION S3: Character Design Artist

A Meet the Author Artist Art Adventure

Become a Character Design Artist – Stage 3 Creative Arts IncursionIntroduction

An engaging and creative Stage 3 Character design incursion where students design original characters using shape language, expression, personality cues and visual storytelling.

Quick Snapshot

  • Stage: Stage 3

  • Duration: 90 minutes

  • Group Size: Up to 30 students

  • Curriculum: NSW Creative Arts + English (narrative support)

  • Cost: $450 per session (flat fee)

CTA: Book the Character Design Incursion

👉 Enquire or Book This Incursion

Incursion Overview

In this interactive author–artist incursion, students explore how illustrated book characters are created, developed, and kept visually consistent. Using The Curious Adventures of Parker the Dog series as a stimulus, students investigate how shapes, colour choices, proportions, and repeated visual features help make a character recognisable across pages, poses, and scenes.
Guided by the author–artist, students discuss how characters communicate personality and emotion before experimenting with their own designs. A playful “pick character traits from the hat” activity encourages imaginative thinking, while optional character morphing into alternative styles supports differentiation and creative choice.
The session balances guided discussion, hands-on visual artmaking, and storytelling, culminating in students sharing their character’s backstory and imagining how it could become part of a book.

This workshop is part of our Primary School Creative Arts Incursions, designed for NSW schools and aligned with the Creative Arts syllabus.

What Students Learn in This Character Design Incursion

  • How shape language influences character traits

  • Techniques for drawing expressive poses

  • Using facial expressions and gestures to show emotion

  • Adding accessories, environment hints and visual clues

  • Developing characters for comics, stories or animation

  • Building confidence in drawing from imagination

Curriculum Links (NSW)

Creative Arts (Visual Arts)

  • VAS3.1 – Investigates subject matter in expressive forms

  • VAS3.2 – Makes artworks informed by concepts + intention

  • VAS3.3 – Acknowledges artists and artworks

English Links

  • EN3-2A: Composes imaginative texts

  • EN3-1A: Communicates ideas effectively

  • Enhances visual literacy and narrative development

Incursion Outline

  • Introduction to character design concepts

  • Explore shape language and silhouette drawing

  • Sketching expressive poses

  • Add facial expressions and personality details

  • Refine and complete final character artwork

  • Optional: share and discuss character stories

What’s Included

  • All drawing materials

  • Professional facilitation

  • Classroom setup and pack-down

  • Completed character artwork for each student

School Requirements

  • Tables and chairs

  • Smartboard or display screen

  • Standard classroom or art room setup

Cost

$450 per 90-minute session
(Up to 30 students)

  • Flat session fee (not per student)
  • One class or combined classes welcome
  • All materials and resources included

Multi-Session Discount:
Schools booking two or more incursions (same day or across multiple days) receive 10% off the second and subsequent sessions.

Location & Availability

  • This Character Design incursion is available to schools in North-West Sydney, Blacktown and Parramatta areas, and the Lithgow–Bathurst region.
    If you’re located outside these areas, please get in touch — happy to discuss options where possible.
  • Elaine travels to schools and delivers all incursions on-site during the school day.
    Multiple sessions can be scheduled on the same day, subject to availability.
  • If you’re unsure whether your school location is suitable, please get in touch — Elaine is happy to discuss options.

Meet the Author & Illustrator – Elaine Butler

Elaine Butler is an author, illustrator and arts educator, and the creator of The Curious Adventures of Parker the Dog book series. With over 30 years of experience in arts education, Elaine brings a unique blend of creativity, storytelling and visual arts to every workshop and school incursion.

Her programs offer an engaging, hands-on approach that nurtures imagination, creative confidence and wellbeing. Through her artwork, books and creative wellness philosophy, Elaine inspires students to explore, create and discover their own artistic voice.

Why Work With Elaine?

Elaine brings warmth, creativity and over 30 years of arts education experience to every session. Her incursions offer meaningful, calm and imaginative learning experiences that teachers trust and students remember.

What schools love:

  • ✔️ Over 30 years experience as a visual arts educator

  • ✔️ Engaging, calm and inclusive teaching style

  • ✔️ Strong classroom management and smooth session flow

  • ✔️ Curriculum-aligned content tailored for ES1–Stage 3

  • ✔️ Hands-on activities that boost creativity and student confidence

  • ✔️ Creative wellness woven through each incursion

  • ✔️ No-prep, low-stress incursion experience for teachers

  • ✔️ Professional-quality artwork outcomes students are proud of

  • ✔️ Sessions that support wellbeing, focus & self-expression

Hands-on learning. Real books. Real art. Real collaboration & wellness.

Enquire or Book

If you’d like to discuss availability, session options, or how this incursion can fit into your school program, you’re very welcome to get in touch.

👉 Enquire or book using the online form here
☎️ Or contact us to discuss dates and options

👉 Perfect for Creative Arts programs, Book Week, Literacy Days or whole-school incursion rotations

Prefer a printable overview? Download our Incursions Information here