In the world of art and illustration, one can do many different types of work. Some people focus on drawing, while others become known for their ability to paint or sculpt. Still, others choose a more creative approach by creating characters and stories.
If you have always dreamed of becoming an illustrator but were afraid that it was too hard, then you may be interested in this article. It will explain how to become a children’s illustrator and what it takes to succeed as one in this industry.
Becoming an illustrator can be difficult, but if you are willing to put in the time, effort and dedication required, your dreams may come true!
1- Get a degree or diploma in fine arts or related field
The first step to becoming a children’s illustrator is getting a degree or diploma in fine arts or a related field. This will give you the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful as an illustrator. If you don’t have one, consider taking classes at a community college or local art school to learn about drawing and design.
It is not necessary to have a degree or a diploma. However, having it will expose you to the world of illustration in depth.
2- Learn about different styles of illustration
Even though there are many types of illustration, some are more common than others for children’s books. When it comes to kids’ books, realism is usually the standard for illustrating characters, objects, and scenes from real life. It’s also common for kids’ illustrations to include bright colors and exaggerated features that make the characters look more like cartoons than real people (i.e., they’re rounder-looking than they really are).
To illustrate realistic characters and scenes from real life (rather than make up your own), you’ll need experience working with reference materials such as photos of people, buildings, animals, etc. In addition, you can find websites that offer free images that can be used as references for creating illustrations within a specific theme, such as animals.
3- Learn about the market
Learning about the market is key to becoming a children’s illustrator.
The market for children’s illustration is incredibly competitive, and unless you’re already known in your field, it can be challenging to break through.
There are many ways to learn about the market and make yourself more valuable to potential clients. The first step is determining what kind of illustrations you want to produce and how you’ll deliver them. For instance, if you’re interested in creating illustrations for picture books, you might want to consider working with an editor who can help you connect with publishers looking for the right images for their books.
You can also use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to get involved with other artists or find out which books are selling well at a particular age range—and why! This will give you insight into what types of books are popular among younger audiences, which could help inform your own work.
4- Create a portfolio showcasing your work.
A great way to do this is to create a mini book of your illustrations with the same theme as your submission. You can also include other examples of your work, such as paintings or digital drawings. Make sure that there is a clear “work-in-progress” section so that the judges can see precisely how you go about creating your illustration.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to think about joining an agency or two. Astound is a specialist children’s illustration agency in New York. They’ll help connect you with clients and give you more opportunities for work.
Conclusion
Follow the above points, and you will be on your way to being one of the best children’s illustrators. Remember that illustration is an art and needs a lot of practice. So don’t assume you are the best because you have a degree or diploma.