Children’s Book Illustration

Children’s Book Illustration FAQs

• What is children’s book illustration, and why is it important for my book?

  Children’s book illustration involves creating artwork specifically for children’s books. Children’s book illustrators create images that help young readers understand the story better. They work closely with the authors to be able to create the right images that go well with the story. Adding illustrations in a book for children helps bring the story to life and enables young readers to understand it better. Some illustrations also create a context that adds more depth to the narrative. Other benefits include: Helping children build their vocabulary or language skills, Improving reading comprehension, Capturing and sustaining the reader's attention, Making the book more enjoyable, Enhancing children’s visual thinking skills, and Helping children learn more about their culture and identity.

• How do I choose the right style of illustration for my children’s book?

  Children’s book illustrations come in several types, including traditional and digital illustrations. When choosing a style to go with your children’s book, consider how it complements your book’s tone and subject matter. You also need to factor in your target audience’s ages. For instance, if you’re writing an educational children’s book for older readers, you may want to opt for more realistic illustrations. If you’re writing an adventure book for younger readers, consider using cartoonish or fantasy illustration styles. When choosing an artist and a style, check the artist’s portfolio or look at other children’s books in the same genre as yours. You can ask for a sample from the illustrator or review their past projects to see if they’re a good match for yours.

• How long does the children’s book illustration process usually take?

  The length of the process can vary from one illustrator to another, depending on factors such as your book’s length, the intricacy of the illustrations, and how much time you and the artist will spend on developing the story further. Typically, the children’s book illustration process begins will a layout or a dummy book, followed by final sketches, and then by the final set of artworks. On average, the process will take anywhere between three to 24 months. Note that even if you have a short book, it may still take some time before it’s published, especially if you’re working with publishing houses.

• Can the illustrator work with me to bring my vision to life, or will they simply provide their own ideas?

  There are some children’s book illustrators who specialize in a particular style or genre. When working with Fiverr service providers, you’re given the guarantee that you’ll be getting original illustrations. On that note, many Fiverr professionals can work with you to bring your vision to life. When choosing a service provider to work with, it’s best to check their Gig page to see what kind of illustrations or styles they offer, as well as the scope of their services. It’s also a good idea to get in touch with them first before placing an order. This way, you can discuss your specific requirements with them.

• Will the illustrator provide sketches or drafts for me to approve before completing the final illustrations?

  You can find children’s book illustrators who can provide you with mockups and sketches for approval. There are also several Fiverr children’s book illustrators who can provide you with illustrations based on your specifications and offer unlimited revisions. Revision policies will vary from one artist to another, so a good idea to check out their Gig page or send them a message beforehand to check their standard terms for revisions. Once you’ve approved the final illustrations and depending on the package you select, you can get print-ready illustrations, book layouts, and even storyboards.

• Are there any copyright or licensing issues I should be aware of when using illustrations in my children’s book?

  Usually, the copyright of the illustrations belongs to the artist unless they formally transfer the rights to the author. To ensure that you have no issues with copyright as the commissioning author, discuss this with your artist and state the scope of the artwork’s use in writing. Ideally, you should work with a lawyer for this. There are several Fiverr service providers who offer commercial use rights for their illustrations. You will usually find this information on their Gig page. You can also send them a message to ask about their copyright or licensing policies for a specific project.