Getting into Illustration: Questions for Current Illustrators

[hypersona]

If there’s anyone out there in the illustration field, mainly illustrating books whether it is your own or someone else’s (freelance), then I was wondering if you can lend your opinions or advice.

For the past 4-5 years I’ve been doing 3D/Technical illustration and product design for various companies. The most current year has been with a handbag company, and although the job is stable and has perks, it’s damn boring and I’m ready to pursue other interests on the side, and eventually change careers.

I want to get into illustration, mainly for children’s books. Eventually Id like to write and illustrate my own, so I can build a small line of books, with a particular style and somewhat of a brand identity. I’m not sure what is the best avenue to take for this. (I am not assuming it is easy to get into the publishing industry, or easy to become established as an illustrator. I realize it’ll take time and effort.) Illustration and writing have been side interests of mine for years, and I enjoy them very much. I figure Id try and actually have a career I enjoy and can have a passion for.

From an artist’s and a business point of view, how do you think I should attack this? Not sure if I should submit to an illustration agency (illustrate other people’s stories first to get exposure) or get my own book done, then go to publishing houses (basically protecting my style and vision.) If I illustrate someone else’s stories first, I am unsure what rights I have to my characters, style, etc... Do you know anything about this? Or is it strictly based on the contract?

I’m just looking to make the safe play and some advice. I’ve done some freelance illustration before, but never for books and never in the style I’ll be using for stories.

Thanks in advance!

[Seedling]

Not that I've ever done this sort of work, but I suspect the best place to start is to get your book (start with just one book) written and at least partially illustrated. Put together a dummy book with the text and copies of the finished art or sketches in place, and submit it to publishers.

Whether or not that first one gets published, you'll still have generated some samples for your portfolio in the process.

[hypersona]

Thats what I was thinking and the most probable route Ill take.

Posted on a few illustration forums as well. no bites yet :( I have a friend whos in publishing. Waiting on a response from him as well.

Thanks for the reply!:^^:

[Seedling]

There may be some good publications about on getting into the children's book market.

I'm not sure there are many children's book illustrators here, but there are plenty of illustrators in similar fields who could certainly give you pointers. And you could always post your work here for critique.

[DavePalumbo]

I don't see how illustrating the work of other authors would be harmful to any future books you might write, and it would probably be an easier job to land. Having done some books like this, it would probably also make getting your own made easier from there (as oppose to jumping cold). Since the stories would be those of another author, I don't see that you should worry about rights to the characters (since you wouldn't be creating them) and your style will be your style no matter where you start. The only thing I'd expect to change in your style is to possibly get it more figured out and tightened up, so a couple warm-up jobs might not be a bad thing in that respect either.

When you do want to get your own work published, I understand that working with a literary agent is the way to go (most publishers outright refuse unsolicited manuscripts). Unfortunately, i don't know much about getting an agent or how this all works from there on (though once again, some experience in the filed of children's books would definitely be a leg up).

I remember hearing Adam Rex talking about this kind of thing some time back, being as he's an illustrator who writes and illustrates children's books and works with an agent. He seemed to feel that working with an agent (so far as creating your own children's books) was a necessity.

[hypersona]

Seedling:

Thank you for your replies. I will get some work up here soon and see what everyone thinks :wink:

Dave:

Great perspective! I didnt really see it that way before. Thanks for the advice!!

[Felicia]

There are two ways to submit to children's book publishers.
* Submit a series of illustrations that have the same style, cover a variety of subjects (kids, different moods, action, animals, etc) and have cover art and interior illustrations. Some art directors like to see a few with the same characters so they can see that you can stay on model. This is probably at the most 10 illustrations. Some want to see sketches and character design and some don't. The key is to do research on who you are sending to.

* Submit a dummy book. The best is to either write something yourself or to use a public domain story. You will draw out the entire 32 page book (picture book) or all spot illustrations (young adult novel) and the cover. Some art directors also like to see character development. You also include 3 finished illustration and usually the cover. Don't send a finished book. They like to work with the artist to make the book the best it can be. Almost always the illustrations that you originally submitted are redone so just think of it as a starting point.

It is best to have both ready. If an art director is interested in your work they might ask if you have a dummy book or vise versa. The dummy book shows your ability for storytelling, pacing, composition, handling text, and drawing skills. The finished art is all that and having the ability to have finished professional looking art, color sense, style, character designs, and have something marketable to the right age group.

Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (http://www.scbwi.org/) is a great place to start. Their conventions are great for networking and learning about the business.