It is a journey that takes us far into the worlds of imagination. Each time an artist allows themselves to float with the words, to breathe them in and become part of them, their feet rise from the ground and they find themselves gently floating, leaving behind the constraints of reality and embarking, through imagination, on a new world of lines, colors, shapes, and varying emotions. At that moment, the artist realizes that this text was written so that they could give it a part of themselves.
Illustrating books in general, and children’s books in particular, is a space unrestricted by the constraints of reality. It allows every artist to be their true creative self. Swimming between and within words requires us to detach ourselves from reality and connect with our inner selves before thinking about techniques and artistic skills.
We first set our imagination free and experience life as though we are seeing it for the first time, with wide-open eyes that absorb everything that touches our senses. We breathe it in and store it, allowing it to become part of our endless visual repertoire. We build towers of emotions, sensations, colors, images, and childhood memories stored in scented glass jars, releasing their fragrance whenever we encounter or see something that reminds us of them in our everyday lives.
A creator of children’s books and picture books forever gathers within themselves a collection of intangible treasures that serve them throughout their creative journey.
The artist begins by connecting their creativity with their actual technical skills and working on illustrations that represent what they love most about children’s books, whether a particular age group or a general theme that stimulates their imagination and inspires them to create with enthusiasm.
In many cases, artists struggle to connect their technical abilities and the images they create with their imagination, allowing external influences and the styles of other artists to affect their confidence and their perception of their own creative work.
Building a portfolio requires us to be ourselves and to allow our skills and creativity to blend naturally and confidently. Producing 8 to 12 illustrations, varying in size and level of detail, is very important in demonstrating a range of skills and techniques to publishers or literary agents. In addition, a strong portfolio gives the prospective employer confidence in the artist.
When an artist begins the journey of searching for a publisher or a book to illustrate, they should always remember that the right text is out there waiting for them; they simply need to seek it out. They can begin by sharing their own work, reaching out to publishers and writers, promoting their work, practicing, and becoming part of the children’s book community through exhibitions, publishers, workshops, and professional networking.
The world of children’s books is a welcoming one, with its doors open to you. All you need to do is take your artistic tools and creativity and set off on the journey.
