How to Illustrate a Children’s Book

Writing an excellent story for a children’s book is only half the battle. Even the most engaging plots simply won’t come to life without vivid illustrations to match the text. Luckily, by brainstorming, communicating with the book’s author, and using a simple method of watercolor illustrating, you can bring bring vibrancy and joy to your children’s books.

Conceptualizing and Brainstorming

Obtain and study the writer’s brief. If you are contracted to illustrate a book, oftentimes writers will provide you with a brief–a list of notes suggesting the main actions in each spread of the book. Study this carefully, and try to remain faithful to the author’s intentions. If you are illustrating your own book, you have unlimited creative license!

Tailor images based on reading level. Different age ranges of readers require different kinds of illustrations. If you are writing for very young children, each major plot movement may need to be portrayed in your illustrations in obvious and easy-to-follow ways. Slightly older readers who can read most or all of the story themselves, however, may only require illustrations that portray central themes and moments in a chapter snake game

Gain inspiration from the work of other artists. There’s no shame in consulting the styles of other successful children’s books for ideas. Additionally, look to other forms of art–such as paintings, textiles, or film–to get ideas for the general aesthetic of your images.
If you’re writing for younger audiences, the works of Dr. Seuss might be a great place to start; his whimsical and original style paved the way for a great deal of other children’s artists.
Try to look at art related to the setting of your story. For example, if you’re illustrating a tale about knights and castles, you should try researching art from the middle ages.