FAQ

I’m a young person and I’d like to become a children’s illustrator.  How should I start?

Stay in school.  Study a wide range of subjects–the more you know about the world, the better you’ll illustrate it.  Have a backup goal to earn income while building your profile.  Keep a drawing journal and draw stuff that you enjoy.  Draw from life.  Draw things that are tough to draw.  Draw.

I’m an adult with some artistic flair, and would like to break into illustrating children’s books.  How should I start?

Sign up for drawing, painting or illustration classes.  Visit your library.  Think about why your favourite children’s books are your favourites.  Study the existing books in children’s bookstores.  Know the market and begin building your portfolio.  To stay informed about the business, become a Friend of Canscaip (www.canscaip.org) or a Member of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (www.bookcentre.ca).  Once you’re ready colour photocopy 10-15 of your best pieces, write your name and contact information on each, add a covering letter and send it off with a prayer.  It helps if your pieces show that you can draw children, carry a resemblance, portray children in action.  Illustrate a nursery rhyme or limerick.

How did you make your first sale?

See above.  I sent away a portfolio and was lucky enough to get a call two or three days later!

What kind of materials do you use to create your illustrations?

Watercolour, ink, goauche, pencil, pencil crayon, acrylic.  It varies from project to project.

How long does it take you to complete all the artwork for one book?

It depends on how busy my current schedule is.  I like 6-12 months for a picture book.

What goes into illustrating a book project, from the time the manuscript is approved?

  • Prepare character sketches.  These are rough sketches of what I think the characters in the book should look like.
  • Get approvals from my editor.
  • Draw up thumbnails (small, rough sketches) to show basic action and textbreaks.
  • Enlarge to full-size rough sketches.
  • Get approvals from my editor and art director.
  • Make changes for a final layout and show colour sample illustration.
  • Get approvals from my editor and art director.
  • Begin final paintings.
  • Meet or beat the deadline.