Kids don't need an art background to learn how to draw wild animals at the Village Theatre on Saturday.

Children's author and illustrator Rachel Allen Dillon will instruct kids in her acrylic dot painting technique. They will learn how to create pieces similar to the richly textured portraits of endangered animals in her book "Through Endangered Eyes—A Poetic Journey Into the Wild."

Images from Dillon's book are on display at the Village Theatre as part of the "Once Upon A Book" exhibit, now through Dec. 17.

Dillon also will read from her book during the event Saturday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

She began acrylic dot painting in 1992, influenced by Aboriginal acrylic dot paintings she saw in Australia. Her style also stems from the pointillism technique created in the 19th century by French painter Georges Seurat. Her art history coursework at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she earned a bachelor's degree in art, with an emphasis on graphic design, also influenced her.

Dillon says her style has "matured and become more focused on creating animals out of dots" over the last 18 years.

The process "takes a very long time but is also very meditative," she says.

Dillon first paints the background in a soft, impressionistic style to allow the animals to "pop" off the canvas. The animal outlines then are sketched in wax pencil. Dillon creates the dots with the end of her paintbrush so that they don't overlap. 

She says creating "Through Endangered Eyes" took her outside her "comfort zone," with animal forms that were new to her. Her endangered species work is motivated, Dillon says, by her desire to "change their circumstances."

She also enjoys sharing her work with children, connecting with them by explaining the size and characteristics of the animals that inspire her paintings.

Kids who can't attend the workshop Saturday can print out a worksheet from Dillon's website that has outlines on which to try the dot technique.

Her next book is another endangered species inspired book, "Through Desert Eyes—A Poetic Journey Into the Wild." Additionally, she is working on a young adult novel, "The Lion Within."

For more information on Dillon's work, visit her website. To learn more about her children's book writing and illustration work, visit her blog.

Rachel Dillon will be at The Village Theatre Art Gallery, 233 Front St. on Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

To register, visit www.danvillerecguide.com and type in Barcode 20913 or call 925-314-3400. 

Rakestraw Books will have Dillon's books available at the event.