Illustration development
What to do when you need help with your book’s illustrations
I help authors bring their stories to life through illustration development, character design, and art direction. Whether you're starting with an idea or have artwork that needs refining, I can help create a consistent visual style, develop engaging scenes, and prepare illustrations for your finished book.
Start with what you have
You do not need to have every visual decision worked out before asking for help. Gather your manuscript, sketches, existing illustrations, and any reference images that explain the direction you have in mind. Describe what feels right and where you are getting stuck.
Identify the kind of support you need
You may need help developing a character, planning scenes, refining existing artwork, or bringing illustrations into a consistent style. If you are unsure, share a few examples and explain your goals. We can begin by identifying what the book needs.
Develop a consistent character and visual style
Think about how your characters should look and feel throughout the story. Their features, proportions, clothing, and expressions should work together from scene to scene. A clear visual direction gives the illustrations a shared foundation.
Consider clean-up and refinement
Existing artwork can be a starting point for further development. The Darla’s Scarf example shows an original drawing alongside clean-up, digital redraw, and line-art treatments. The right approach depends on your source artwork and the look you want to preserve.
Plan illustrations alongside the page layout
Share the intended book size, manuscript, and any printer specifications you already have. Scene composition needs to leave room for text and account for page turns and the center fold. Planning these together helps the images and story work as one book.
Agree on the work before moving forward
Discuss which images need attention, what source files are available, and whether you need illustration development, character design, art direction, or production preparation. Confirm that you have permission to use and modify any supplied artwork, and agree on deliverables, revisions, and credits.
Let’s find the right direction for your illustrations.
Tell me about your story, share what you have, and describe the illustration support you need.
Discuss illustration support →Explore design services