How to Find an Illustrator for Your Children’s Book

You've written your children's book text, and you want to publish your book. But you don't know how to find an illustrator for a children’s book. This step can stall many ready-to-be authors. Finding an illustrator for your children’s book is one of the most important steps in the publishing process. The artwork brings your story to life by displaying your story, showing what your characters look like, what the world your characters live in look like, and helps young readers connect to the words on the page, and connect with your characters and message. You also will want to find a style of art that you want for your book. But how do you find the perfect match?

In this article you'll learn how to find an illustrator for a children's book. First let's look at where to find an illustrator.

Freelance Services

Online freelance services are places where independent contractors (freelancers) have portfolios to provide and sell their illustrations services. Typically a freelancer is paid on a per-job basis. As independent contractors they set their own rates, however there is protection for both the freelancer and client through the online freelance platforms through terms and conditions, and ratings.

Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Reedsy are great places to search for illustrators. Using online freelance services you do need to be careful. Some artists use AI, and some use copyrighted content where they do not have the rights to. Don't worry, we will have some tips further below on how to choose an illustrator as well as check for and vet the illustrators you are considering using.

Search Google And Social Media

Use search engines to search for "children's book illustrators" where you will find blogs or directories showcasing different illustrators. Go to the illustrators' personal websites. Social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are also great for discovering illustrators and reaching out to them directly.

Connect With Art Schools

Reach out to local art colleges or universities and ask if any students are aspiring illustrators and are looking to build their portfolio. Many talented artists are eager for opportunities to gain experience and exposure.

Word Of Mouth And Farmer's Markets

Start talking about writing your book and your search for an illustrator. You never know whose niece, nephew, co-worker, or friend of a friend's spouse is an illustrator. Also you can visit local art or farmer's markets where artists showcase their work, and who are also illustrators.

So now you know where you can find illustrators. But how do you choose an illustrator for a children's book? We've got you covered with some tips below.

Step One: Search For the Art Style You Are Considering

Consider your audience and story when looking for illustrations. What type of art will best suit your story? Are you looking for a more cartoonish or realistic style? Is your book funny? Or a loving tale? If searching online use keywords that reflect the art style you’re looking for, such as:

• "children's book art"

• "funny children’s book illustration"

• "whimsical children’s book illustration"

  
  

Browse through different portfolios of illustrators you have found in your online search or by other methods, and choose 2-3 illustrators whose work you love but also fits the style for your book. Consider do you like the colours they use, the characters they've already developed, and the level of detail to the background they've added.

Step Two: Research The Illustrator

It is important to check out the artist a bit further to ensure their art is their original art and not someone else's. This is especially relevant to if you've found your illustrator through an online freelance service or social media. If you've found the artist through an art school, they might not have a solid online presence yet.

• Search for the illustrator on Google. What other places do they post their art portfolio? Does the art on their other portfolios look similar? Do they have a website? Do they have social media accounts? Are they only on the freelance platform? It is better to go with an illustrator who has an online presence elsewhere that showcases a portfolio with similar style and different projects.

• Check their reviews. Read the reviews beyond the star rating. Do the reviews say "good job" or are they more in depth, speaking to how the customer felt about the service with details as to why. More thorough thoughtful reviews are likely more real.

• Screen shot some of the art shown on the portfolio and perform a Google Image search. This can tell you where that image has come up before, and if it is only found on sites and portfolios that are tied to the artist you are likely safe.

• If you are opposed to AI, there are things you can check for to determine if the art is AI created. There are usually errors in the photos such as misshapen figures. There are AI detectors out there now where you can upload the photo to check.

Step Three: Order A Sample Page

Now that you've picked a few illustrators, and checked them out, next is to ask them to illustrate one sample page from your manuscript. This will give you a better sense of how they interpret your story, how well they follow direction, and also a better indication of how their style will fit your story. This will often require you paying for the sample, but it is a worthwhile step.

Step Four: Evaluate More Than Just the Art

It is exciting when you are at the stage of choosing an illustrator, and the art samples you receive may look perfect. However, when you receive your sample illustrations, don’t just focus on the final image. You will be working with this person to help create your dream, and you will need them to hear and implement your input and deliver the art on time. Here are some things to consider when choosing an artist.

• How is their communication?  Are they responsive? Do they appear to understand what you are communicating to them or are there some misunderstandings? Sometimes the artist you choose to work with will speak a different language than you, however that doesn't need to stop the project. It is about how they respond to you, that they understand your direction, and if not, they ask for clarity.

• How do they incorporate your feedback: How do they respond to your suggestions or revisions? Do they make the changes you've asked? Is there any pushback? A good illustrator will incorporate what you've asked, but if they cannot, they will provide a reason as to why.

• Do they deliver on time? If not, do they communicate with you when they are expecting a delay? Delays can happen, but if they delay your first page it might be a sign they will not deliver the full art on time.

Look beyond the art itself and ask yourself the above questions as you will want an illustrator who will work with you, but also correct you if needed, as they are the expert in the art part of a children's book. How they approach one page is an indicator of how they will likely approach the full project. Overall, you will want to work with someone who is respectful of your time and project, and someone who produces the art you and your readers will love.

Step Five: Choose The Illustrator

You have now found art that you love, you've researched the illustrators you are considering, and you have seen how they communicate and deliver. You are now ready to choose. You can use a scale to rate where they scored between 1 and 5 on each of the steps above. The illustrator with the highest score would be the one you would choose. We've developed an Illustrator Rating Tool to support your choosing an illustrator to help you out. You can download the rating tool here .

Ultimately this is your book, and your choice. Now that you know how to find an illustrator for a children’s book, and tips on choosing an illustrator, there is another important step.

Step Six: Protect Yourself with a Contract

Of course, choosing the illustrator is one thing but an important step that can be overlooked is ensuring to have a contract with the illustrator in place as it protects you, the future rights of your book, and the illustrator. Some of the online freelance services will have a contract built in to utilize their services, and some artists may have their own contracts. Ensure to read these contracts to ensure the terms are reasonable, or even better create your own contract. A good contract should include:

• Payment terms and structure

• Ownership rights

• Deadlines with penalties for not delivering on time

• Revisions process

• Contract start and end date

• An exit clause for both the illustrator and author

  
  

At Raspberry Press, we offer coaching, can help you find the right illustrator, and even provide a contract template to protect both you and your artist.

Bringing your story to life is an exciting journey—although it is quite normal to feel like you need to get this book out as soon as possible, don’t rush the process. With patience, diligence, and clear communication, you’ll find the perfect illustrator to match your vision.

We hope this article has helped you answer your questions about how to find an illustrator for a children’s book. Need help getting started? Contact Raspberry Press—we’re here to help!