Illustrating a Childrens Book
As a freelance illustrator is not uncommon to be asked to illustrate a book or some other material that’s intended for children. When looking around at illustrators portfolios you often notice many that refer to themselves simply as a ‘childrens illustrator’ as if to imply that is all the work they do. Indeed some artists will work solely on childrens material, it’s important however not to lose sight of what being a commercial illustrator is all about. For most illustrators, children’s or otherwise a commission is a commission and not to be sniffed at.
Back on the subject of childrens book illustration. There are thousands upon thousands of childrens books out there, some so hugely successful that ever man woman and child in the western world have heard of them, others so marginal it’s a wonder they ever got published. It’s always important to realise that what you are trying to create has to appeal to someone on a totally different wave length to those involved in the production of the product. While illustrators, writers and publishers know what they want in terms of creative and commercial means, they are by their very nature grown ups, not children. Therefore they need to make sure they dont lose sight of their target audience.
Many publishers of childrens books will organise focus groups and informal sessions with groups of children to try and get as much feedback as possible. Indeed it’s not uncommon for a publisher to show children a range of artworks and ask them to choose their favourite. The artist that gets picked the most times will often get the comission, or at least be asked to quote on it.
While we can often get deeply involved in the commercial side of publishing it’s important to stay focused. Thankfully most illustrators can remove themselves from the heady business of publishing, costsings and printers and concentrate soley on the artwork at hand. There is still a child lurking deep within many of us, for many of the most successful childrens book illustrators this inner child becomes their art, it’s when this happens that the artwork will do it’s job perfectly, appeal to those it’s intended for.