A new online course by Sandra Attema · Coming soon

A Little
Too Much

(in the best way)

Big Feelings, Bold Illustrations for Picture Books

I’m opening up my whole picture-book process: from a story on a page to expressive characters, loud colour and textured, finished artwork in Procreate. Not so you’ll draw like me, but so you’ll find the style that’s a little too much and completely yours.

Join the waitlist Free to join · Early access + a waitlist-only offer

Two little fairies chatting on glowing mushrooms in an enchanted forest, illustrated by Sandra Attema

A glowing yellow fluffy monster, close-up

Big feelings welcome!

Why join the waitlist?

An exclusive waitlist-only offerA little thank-you, just for early birds.
Early accessGet in before enrolment opens to everyone else.
Behind-the-scenes peeksSketches, studio updates and little extras as the course comes to life.

Save your spot just below ↓

What’s inside

From a blank page to one bold, finished spread

Bring your own story, or use my sample manuscript. Step by step, you’ll build it into one fully illustrated, textured double-page spread that’s completely yours.

Kids in a cardboard box flying over a rainbow through space

Permission to be a little too much

Stop comparing, ditch perfect and find the visual voice only you have.

A fox with glasses studying a caterpillar through a magnifying glass

From words to wild ideas

Read a story like an illustrator: art notes, inspiration (without copying) and your moodboard.

A bored princess on her phone keeping a dragon vs. prince tally

Too much personality? Perfect.

Shapes, silhouettes, exaggerated expressions and your own character design sheet.

A boy chasing a runaway flower cart through a sunny street

Making room for the story

Storyboards, page turns and composition, then a sketch that actually tells the story.

A glowing yellow monster trailing a rainbow through a rainy purple forest

Colour gets loud

Unexpected palettes that set the mood, rough colour studies and colour that survives print.

Close-up of a textured, glowing mushroom with a fairy perched on top

Beautifully imperfect

My favourite brushes and signature textures, layered into a spread that feels alive.

Bonus!

Work like a pro. Organising your projects, handling revisions, working with publishers and authors, contracts, and how to price your illustrations with confidence.

Two girls running through a lantern-lit market

A girl with a long braid smiling at a hummingbird from a flower-covered window

Two children riding a giant koi through a starry pond

Sandra Attema smiling in her colourful studio, with three of her fluffy characters on her shoulders

Published
illustrator

Meet your teacher

Hi, I’m Sandra!

I’m a published children’s book illustrator based in [LOCATION], bringing stories to life with colour, texture and characters who feel everything a little too much. I’ve illustrated books for [publishers / self-publishing authors] for [X] years, and I share my tutorials and brushes with a lovely community of 58.5K creatives.

I truly believe nobody is born talented. It’s something we learn, and this course is everything I wish I’d known when I started.

A few books I’ve illustrated