The artwork for children’s books is an integral part of a book. It has a significant impact on readers, so it’s critical to choose the proper illustrators.
The art style of an illustrated children’s book should reflect the story, be visually engaging, and appeal to young imaginations. There are various styles to consider, but each has its unique characteristics.
Colors
The color of an illustrated children’s book is one of the essential components in bringing the story to life. This is because colors stimulate a child’s mind to form associations between what they see in the book and what they experience daily.
Choosing bright, eye-catching colors when illustrating your children’s book is essential. The colors should be fun and vibrant, but they should also match the story’s emotions.
You can get some inspiration for your colors from other books you’ve read and other art forms (paintings, textiles, and films). It’s also a good idea to discuss the style of your illustrations with the author or publisher.
Children’s books have many illustration styles, but it’s best to stick to popular and familiar ones if you’re writing for younger readers. These styles often appeal to children and adults alike, so there’s no shame in using them.
Texture
The texture is one of the essential elements of an illustrated children’s book. The surface is how something feels, whether smooth, rough, or soft.
For example, a glass mirror could feel smooth and shiny, or a cactus might be prickly and hard to touch. Similarly, autumn leaves can be crunchy and bright, or salt and pebbles may feel gritty and rocky.
Decorative texture “decorates a surface.” It often involves using unique mechanical means or patterns not part of the original design.
Illustrators use various illustration tools, including pen, ink, and brushwork. They can also create beautiful watercolor paintings and charcoal drawings.
When choosing an illustrator for your children’s book, find someone with a portfolio and a proven track record of quality work. Be sure to chat with them before hiring to see if you can get along well and if they’ll be able to deliver on time.
Shapes
Shapes are essential to an illustrated children’s book, as they help tell the story visually appealingly. They also have a mighty communicative power and can help you convey emotions and characteristics.
To create a practical illustration, you need to understand the meanings of shapes and how they relate to each other. Failing to do this can lead to unintended messages and mixed meanings that don’t fit with the rest of your design.
Fortunately, children can learn about different shapes easily and quickly. They can identify basic shapes and see how they are similar to the objects they are familiar with daily.
They can also learn to classify shapes based on their properties, including the number of vertices and sides they have. This can help them explain why a triangle is a triangle and a square is a square. In addition, they can practice finding and identifying shapes in their environment using a shape-hunting activity.
Characters
Characters are a vital aspect of an illustrated children’s book. They provide the story with life and interest, making it easier for kids to follow the plot.
To create an excellent character for your story, you must consider how it will interact with other characters and what it wants or needs from its surroundings. This will help you build a solid, believable personality that young readers can relate to.
The main character in your book will be the focus of most of the illustrations. Ensure you practice drawing this character with different expressions and in other situations to give the reader a consistent look and feel.
The colors and tone of the illustrations also play a crucial role in conveying a story’s emotional message. Color beautifully expresses the grief and loss of a child when their mother passes away.