The Illustration of a Picture Book

Illustrating a picture book is a team effort between the artist and the publisher’s editor and artistic director. And while every visual artist has their own creative process, the beginnings of picture book illustration starts when the artist receives a paginated pb text from the publisher. Although the artist has already seen the manuscript and has likely done some preliminary research, this stage consists of loose character sketches and rough story sketches. The artist might also sketch thumbnails (miniature rough draft sketches) and start placing those ideas on the pages.  A lot of artists use a wall and post-its, so they can see the book in a large layout and move their thumbnails around.

When the flow of the illustrations has been approved (between every stage of the design process, the artist returns her layout and ideas to the project’s editor or artistic director for revision suggestions and/or approval), the artist will start drawing larger images called “line drawings.” These are broad concepts with few details and can be altered easily and quickly. These images take into consideration the use of perspective, spot illustrations, white space for text, and where single and double spreads will be most effectively utilized.  When these images have been approved, the artist tackles the final interior sketches, adding texture and life to the story.

Then finally, with the approval of these drawings, she gets to start painting. Every artist I’ve talked to tells me this is when the fun starts. It’s also at this stage that she usually starts working on cover sketches.