Children's Book Illustration Process

Got a children’s book in development, and you’re ready to hire an illustrator? Congrats, that's great! Bringing a book to life is a big and exciting process.

Here's a look at what it's like to work with me on a children's book project.

First, a little background.

If you’re reading this, I’ll assume you have a completed manuscript and are planning to self-publish. (If you’re planning to submit to traditional publishers, they will typically choose an illustrator for you.)

What I need from you before I begin illustrating:

1. A final manuscript.

   Your manuscript should be as close to finished as possible before we begin illustrating. When the text is still in progress, even minor wording changes can impact the pacing or content of a page, leading to additional revisions to the artwork. Those extra rounds of revisions require more time and can increase the overall cost. Having a polished manuscript upfront helps us avoid extra artwork changes and keeps the process running smoothly!
   

2. Page count expectations.

   A standard picture book is 32 pages, but other formats are possible. Board books often have 8 pages, and some picture books range from 24 to 48 pages. Page counts are usually multiples of 8 because of how books are printed and folded. Don’t worry if you haven’t figured out page breaks yet; we can handle that part together. And, remember to factor in pages like the interior title page, copyright, dedication, and endpapers.

   
   

3. Formatting and production choices.

   Think about details such as:

   • Hardcover or softcover?

   • Will it have a dust jacket?

   • Will you offer a digital edition? Or will it only be digital?

   • Do you already have a printer or print-on-demand service in mind?

   If you don’t have all the answers yet, that’s okay, we can brainstorm options together. But the more information I have upfront, the more accurate and tailored your quote will be.

4. How do you plan to share and promote your book

   Are you planning to create a dedicated social media account for the book? Build a simple website? Send updates through your newsletter? Knowing your marketing plans can help me supply the right assets. I can also create graphics to support your promotional efforts: color palettes, social media banners, backgrounds, and other visuals to help your book launch feel cohesive and professional.

Now that we've got all that sorted, let's get into the illustration process!

Step 1: Reference Images & Inspiration

If you have a vision in mind, share it with me! Favorite children’s books? A certain style you love? A clear mental image of your characters? I want to know it all! I’ve heard from clients that they worry too much input will stifle my creativity, but it’s actually the opposite! It’s my job to bring the creative ideas to the table, and your details help spark more tailored concepts.

This first step usually takes the form of a Pinterest mood board. I’ll gather inspiration images, reference photos, and color palettes, and you’re encouraged to add to it as well. Then we’ll review the board together and talk about what resonates and what doesn’t.

Step 2: Character studies of main characters.

Before I draw your characters throughout the entire book, we’ll establish what they look like. Consistency is key! (Unless the story calls for a visual change.)

You’ll have the chance to give feedback, and I include two rounds of revisions here (and at every step). This is typically plenty to get the designs just right. Additional revisions are available for an additional fee, which is why clear, decisive feedback is great for both of us!

Step 3: Thumbnails (rough sketches)

This is when the story starts coming to life! I’ll create rough sketches for every page of the book to map out the pacing, emotion, action, and visual flow of the story. Don’t worry, these will become more polished later! If you haven't decided on page breaks yet, we'll have a brief discussion about it before I start the thumbnails.

This stage also includes rough sketches of the cover, endpapers, and any interior or exterior elements (if applicable) needed for the book. You’ll again have two rounds of feedback to refine the sketches.

Step 4: Polished Line Drawings

Next, I’ll tighten up all the thumbnails into clean, polished line drawings at the final scale of the book. This is essentially the blueprint for the final illustrations. What you see at this step reflects the exact composition and layout I plan to use; it’s just missing color, lighting, and texture.

Two rounds of feedback are included here as well.

Step 5: Fully Rendered Illustration!

I’ll bring each illustration to its final form with color, lighting, and texture(if applicable, I don't always use texture). This is the step where the book truly comes alive. You’ll again have two rounds of feedback.

Step 6: Final File Delivery.

Once all the artwork is approved, I’ll deliver your high-resolution, print-ready files. Up until now, I’ve been sending lower-resolution JPGs, but this is where you’ll receive the full-quality versions.

Before we reach this stage, you’ll need to choose your printer so I can prepare the exact file types and specifications they require.

Optional Step 7: Book Layout & Setup (Additional Fee)

Lucky you, before I became a full-time illustrator, I spent almost 10 years as a professional graphic designer :) So, if you’d like help setting up the book, I’ve got you covered.

I can handle the full layout: adding the text, formatting pages, preparing everything for print, and sending the completed files to your printer. This service is available as an add-on to illustration.

Optional Step 8: Extra Goodies for Promotion (Additional Fee)

Need more than just the artwork? I can also create custom promotional materials: graphics for your website, stickers, social media assets, and more. Just let me know what you have in mind!

Wahooooo, we've done it!

By the end of this process, you’ll have a fully illustrated children’s book ready to take out into the world. Let me know when you’re ready to begin!

Ready to get started?

Here’s what I’d love to know in your email:

1. What’s your book about? Just a brief overview is perfect!

2. How many pages will your book be?

3. Are you planning to self-publish, and do you already have a printer in mind?

4. Do you have a budget for illustration?

   This helps me suggest the best approach and options for your project.

5. Bonus question: What’s your favorite children’s book?

   And what do you love about it? You don’t have to answer, I'm just always curious!

   
   

Before reaching out, please take a moment to look through my portfolio and ensure my art style aligns with your vision. And, please have your manuscript complete or nearly complete. (If you’re almost there, but just can’t wait to chat, that’s okay! I appreciate your enthusiasm, let's talk about it!)