School and library visits are one of the most enjoyable parts of being an author-illustrator. Picture book workshops and talks are energetic sessions with interactive and informative activities. I travel around Australia appearing at schools and libraries in cities and regional communities.
Book Week 2024 (WA and NSW)
Bookings are now open for Book Week 2024.
This is shaping up to be an exciting year with a spotlight on my next picture book Listen, Hippo (Penguin Australia).
Tour dates:
July – 7th September I’ll be available in WA for school and library visits.
9th – 27th September I’ll be in Sydney, NSW for school tours.
I’m also available for virtual visits to schools across Australia and internationally.
Did you want to book a Book Week session? Let’s chat!
Workshops
Workshops are hands-on, creative sessions exploring my personal process for creating picture books. Students participate in a range of illustration and writing activities and gain insight into key visual literacy tools. Activities include:
- Character design
- Creating an illustration
- Developing picture book ideas
- Interpreting text visually
All workshops are accompanied by drawing demonstrations and a Q&A.
Talks
Meet the author talks are lively and informative insights into the process of a practising author and illustrator.
I discusses my process of illustrating a book, creating characters, developing picture book ideas and my journey to becoming an author.
These sessions are accompanied by demonstrations, original artwork, illustrations at varying stages of development and a Q&A.
VIRTUAL Workshops and Talks
It doesn’t matter where your school or library are based – you don’t even have to be in Australia! I can still visit and run creative sessions through a variety of online platforms including Webex, Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
I cover most topics mentioned in my talks and workshops above.
Creating characters and illustrations virtually can be just as fun!
More details about my sessions…
- I’m available for school and library visits, and festival talks and panels.
- I can talk to any age group, from Kindergarten up to Year 12. I’ve even run a 60 minute workshops for pre-kindies and lived to tell the tale!
- Sessions can run from 45 minutes up to 120 minutes. Although, I would recommend session over 90 minutes are reserved for Year 7+.
- I have insurance and a Working with Children check.
- Do you have something specific you want me to cover in a session? Let’s chat!
Book Me
If you’d like me to visit your school, library or festival, or if you have any questions, then please get in touch by one of the following options below.
Western Australia
Book me directly here.
Book me through the Literature Centre.
Book me through Paper Bird Books Speaker Agency.
Australia (excluding Western Australia and Queensland)
Booked Out Agency
E-mail bookings@bookedout.com.au
Phone: (03) 9824 0177
Queensland
Speaker Ink Agency
E-mail: info@speakers-ink.com.au
Phone: 07 30408-INK(465)
Featured picture books for 2024 workshops and talks.
Feedback
The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas (Victoria) ‘His presentation was polished and he got through everything he wanted in the hour. Giving a publisher pitch to the kids was a great idea – it got them drawing, and gave a real (simplified) idea of what it’s like to work as an illustrator – the rejections, the processes, some tips and tricks, some of the lingo. He gave them deadlines (one or two minutes) and got them to add settings and backgrounds.’
St Mary’s Primary School (NSW) ‘Gabriel Evans was fantastic! That phrase was used a lot by both the students and the teachers. He had our students, from Kindergarten to Year 6, engaged and entertained for the entire session. He also gave them amazing tips on where to get ideas from, how to develop them and on how important it is to keep trying to improve them. With that advice in mind and with the drawings they produced with Gabriel, teachers said the students were very keen and excited to start their own narratives. Thank you Gabriel for sparking such enthusiasm for writing and drawing!’
Clare High School (South Australia) ‘Gabriel was a warm and fun presenter who embraced the students and their illustration efforts. The manner in which he related his creative process when illustrating a book gave the students an insight into this field and was an inspirational springboard for them. His workshop was well planned and applied. Thanks Gabriel!’
Baler Primary School, Port Hedland (Western Australia) ‘Presenter was very engaging and charismatic. Children were inspired. Even children who hate art were enthusiastic to be involved. Story planning content was very beneficial to engage children in writing. Fantastic work! Excellent.”
Wynyard High School (Tasmania) ‘…Gabriel passed on his vast knowledge and professional experience to students through interactive activities that focused on the process of designing a character, the tools in creating a page spread, portraying the emotional body language of characters and training the eye in composition. Gabriel’s presentation methods were engaging, motivational and inspirational.’
Margaret River Primary School (Western Australia) ‘With over 260 students, ranging from years 1 – 4, Gabriel expertly explained to the students his craft. He presented at a level that all the students could understand and they were all keen to listen intently.’
Zac (Derby Primary School, Western Australia) ‘I liked that we got to make our own book carver. The hardis bit was droring the pirate but the best part was we got to met an illartraet.’
Sienna (Derby Primary School, Western Australia) ‘We was drawing pitches of pirates. I had so much fun at the Derby libery Gabriel Evans is the best drawa’
Carys (Derby Primary School, Western Australia) ‘…he taught us how to draw detailed pictures it was awesome….Gabriel Evens is a realy nice person he will follow his dreams.’
Gabriel Evans 