Embarking on the journey of illustrating a children’s book is an exciting and imaginative endeavor, demanding meticulous planning and thorough preparation. The paramount consideration throughout this process is the creation of illustrations that captivate and visually resonate with the young audience. In this article, we will delve into a comprehensive exploration of the steps entailed in bringing illustrations to life within the pages of a children’s book.
There are so many different styles in children’s books, from realistic to stylized, traditional or digital tools and more medias to use.
If you want to draw, drawing is learnable. And it doesn’t have to be complicated or super realistic, as long as you understand what children like and know about “children’s language”. Anyone can draw, but of course if you want to master skill you have to learn and practice. Don’t be afraid to learn, every artist is learning and improving everyday, no need to ask yourself to be perfect. There are multiple ways to create artwork.
Ayari Tagawa – MFA in Illustration
Contents
Illustrating the Main Characters
The main characters of a children’s book are the most important part of the story. They are the ones who will capture the attention of the children and keep them engaged throughout the book. Here are some tips for illustrating the main characters:
Child-like Main Character
The protagonist in children’s books is almost always a child or child-like character, as real-life kids like to see people their own age solving their own problems. It is important to create a character that children can relate to and empathize with. Practice illustrating your character in a variety of poses and actions, as you’ll need to show them throughout the story doing a variety of things!
Compile and Use Inspiration
I love people-watching for inspiration in creating unique characters, and watching my own children has added plenty of ideas to my own reservoir of character ideas. Perhaps your character always wears mismatched socks, has cute bulgy eyes, or carries a ratty old teddy bear wherever they go. Are they prim and proper? Do they have wild red hair and crooked glasses? Is your character a child, a chihuahua, or a chair? (That’s right, characters don’t have to be human, and that in and of itself, can make for an intriguing character!)
Make It Memorable
A good character, first and foremost, must evoke a reaction from the viewer. It’s the illustrator’s job to capture that spark, that energy, that grabs our attention. Save the cover of “I Don’t Want Curly Hair” by Laura Ellen Anderson and “Olivia” by Ian Falconer as examples of memorable characters.
Show Them the Trait, Not Describe It
It’s important to show the character’s traits through their actions and expressions, rather than describing them in the text. For example, if your character is shy, show them hiding behind a tree or blushing when someone talks to them.
Practice and Plan the Profile
Practice illustrating your character in different poses and expressions. This will help you get a better idea of how your character will look throughout the book. Plan out the character’s profile, including their likes, dislikes, and personality traits. This will help you stay consistent throughout the book.
Deciding the Setting for the Story and Characters
The setting of the story is just as important as the characters. It is important to create a setting that is engaging and visually appealing to children. Here are some tips for deciding the setting for the story and characters:
Making Sure the Balance and Consistency of the Design
It is important to make sure that the design of the setting is balanced and consistent throughout the book. This will help keep the children engaged and interested in the story.
Mind the Time Period and Location of the Story
When deciding on the setting, it is important to consider the time period and location of the story. This will help you create a setting that is appropriate for the story and the characters.
Doing Your Storyboard Before Illustrating the Story
Before illustrating the story, it is important to create a storyboard. This will help you plan out the illustrations and make sure that they flow well with the story.
Considering the Illustration Technique, Style, or Tools
When illustrating a children’s book, it is important to consider the illustration technique, style, or tools that you will use. This will help you create illustrations that are engaging and visually appealing to children.
There are many different techniques and styles that you can use when illustrating a children’s book. Some popular techniques include watercolor, acrylic, and digital painting. You can also use different tools such as pencils, pens, and brushes to create your illustrations.
Finishing Up the Project with an Attractive Cover and Conclusion
Once you have completed the illustrations, it is important to finish up the project with an attractive cover and conclusion. The cover should be engaging and visually appealing to children, while the conclusion should wrap up the story in a satisfying way.
In conclusion, illustrating a children’s book is a fun and creative process that requires a lot of planning and preparation. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create illustrations that are engaging and visually appealing to children. Remember to keep the main character child-like, compile and use inspiration, make it memorable, show them the trait not describing, practice and plan the profile, make sure the balance and consistency of the design, mind the time period and location of the story, do your storyboard before illustrating the story, consider the illustration technique, style, or tools, and finish up the project with an attractive cover and conclusion. Good luck with your project!
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