Choosing an Illustrator for Your Book

Choosing an illustrator can be a daunting task. Maybe this is the first book you’re seeking to publish, you’re in your final drafts of the manuscript and have been putting off your novel’s illustration for a while now. You’re not the only one! Illustration is really important. Whether it is the cover design or an entire picture book, illustrations breathe life into your words. But it can be difficult to hand over your story and give someone else creative licence. With this in mind, we‘ve compiled a list of some things to take into account when choosing your illustrator.

The first thing to consider is the number of illustrations you require. Think about how many illustrations you would like and how you want them laid out on the pages. A picturebook or recipe book will require a lot more illustration than that of an adult fiction book. The more illustrations you would like in your book, the more you should consider finding an illustrator with a larger portfolio and a bit more experience. An illustrator with more experience will be reliable at matching themes and styles throughout the entire book. 
 
Next, consider the style of illustrations you require. These should match the genre of your book and the themes it covers. The saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ is often not entirely true. The cover design for your book should give the reader a clear insight into the book and what it is about. These types of decisions will require a lot of research and looking through artists portfolios until you find one which matches your vision. On that note, also make sure your illustrations are age appropriate. Most illustrators specialise in certain areas so, for instance, if you are writing a children’s book, focus your research on illustrators already experienced in that demographic. 
 
Finally, you must consider your budget. While the other factors should be the focus of your search, it is important to remain within your price range to ensure that other aspects of your book such as editing and formatting do not suffer. A more experienced illustrator will naturally be more expensive, so finding the right balance between price and experience is essential. 

​These are just a few things to consider before choosing the illustrator for your book. Always make sure that you make a contract with your chosen illustrator before you begin to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here at Rowanvale we offer high-quality book illustration and cover design packages at affordable prices! Check out our Design Galleries for some examples of single and double-page illustrations or storyboards. If you would like any more information or advice get in contact with us, we’d love to help you out in any way we can!