How to Illustrate A children’s Book: Part 2
This is the second part of a very long article about how to illustrate a children’s book. You can read the first article here.
Now that you have understood the story, researched, did some character design and started your first pass at thumbnails and layouts and refined a few sketches, you can start to experiment with color.
Step 6: Experiment with Color
Color plays a major role in setting the mood and tone of the book. Now is the time to experiment with color schemes for your illustrations.
Choosing the Right Color Palette:
Mood: Warm, bright colors create a cheerful and happy atmosphere, while cool, darker colors can add mystery or calmness.
Story progression: Consider how the color palette changes as the story progresses. You might start with soft, pastel tones for a peaceful beginning and shift to vibrant, intense colors for an exciting climax.
Consistency: Keep your colors consistent throughout the book. This doesn’t mean every page has to look the same, but there should be a visual harmony that ties the illustrations together.
Step 7: Create Final Illustrations
Once you’ve experimented with color and finalized your sketches, it’s time to create the final artwork. Whether you work traditionally or digitally, this stage requires attention to detail.
Tips for Creating Final Illustrations:
Line work: If you’re using ink or a similar medium, make sure your lines are clean and consistent. Digital artists can use layers to separate the line art from the color to make adjustments easier.
Textures: Adding texture can make your illustrations feel more alive. You can use different brushstrokes, textured brushes (in digital work), or mixed media like watercolor, pastels, or collage.
Lighting and shading: Use lighting to create depth and highlight important parts of the scene. Shading can also help to convey the mood of a scene.
Step 8: Layout and Typography
In most children's books, the text is an essential part of the layout. Even if you're not responsible for the typography, you’ll need to make sure that the illustrations leave enough room for the text.
Tips for Balancing Text and Illustrations:
Leave space for text: Make sure important parts of your illustrations aren’t covered by words. Many illustrators sketch placeholders for text to ensure everything fits well.
Interactive layouts: Consider how the illustrations and text can interact. Sometimes, characters can be positioned to “react” to the words, creating a fun dynamic between image and text.
Consistent font choice: If you’re selecting the font, make sure it matches the tone of the illustrations. Playful fonts work well with lighthearted stories, while more traditional fonts might be better for serious tales.
Step 9: Revisions and Feedback
It’s rare for an illustrator to create perfect work on the first try. Getting feedback and making revisions is an important part of the process.
Sources for Feedback:
The author or publisher: If you’re working with a writer or publisher, they’ll likely provide feedback on how the illustrations align with their vision.
Other illustrators: Getting opinions from fellow artists can provide valuable insights you might not have considered.
Test with kids: Since children are the target audience, share your work with young readers. Their reactions can give you a clear sense of whether your illustrations are engaging and easy to understand.
Be Open to Critique:
Receiving feedback can be difficult, but it’s an essential part of growth as an illustrator. Stay open to suggestions and be willing to make changes that improve the overall quality of the book.
Step 10: Final Adjustments and Delivery
Once you’ve made any necessary revisions, it’s time to prepare the final files for printing or digital publication. Depending on the medium you’re working in, this might involve scanning traditional artwork or preparing digital files at the correct resolution.
Key Considerations for Final Delivery:
Resolution: Make sure your files are high enough resolution for printing—usually 300 dpi for printed books.
File formats: Check the preferred file formats for the publisher or printer (e.g., TIFF, PDF, or PSD for digital files).
Colors: If the book is being printed, you’ll need to convert your colors to CMYK, which is the color mode used in printing.
Conclusion
Illustrating a children’s book is a creative journey that requires a balance of storytelling, artistic skills, and technical understanding. From character design to final delivery, each step is important in bringing the story to life in a way that captures the imagination of young readers. Remember to enjoy the process, as it’s a chance to create something truly magical that will leave a lasting impression on children for years to come.
