All right, the book is done! It’s been proofread (several times). It’s been edited (several times). Before you hire your freelance illustrator, check out their previous work. A stylistic match between you and your illustrator is half the battle.
Perhaps this is the first time you have ever worked with an illustrator. It might seem daunting or confusing. You might be unsure how involved you can be with this artistic process. Here are some tips.
First, remember that this is a creative and interactive relationship. You need to work with your illustrator, and your illustrator needs to work with you. Make sure that you have a well-articulated take on your overall vision. The illustrator will need to know your concept of how characters and scenes in the book look, as well as which scenes should be illustrated. Have your ideas ready, but come in with an open mind – this is a collaborative process. Make sure you’re open to suggestions about what scenes should be depicted visually, and in general how illustrations will work within your book. The illustrator might have ideas for additional scenes and characters to depict. In this dialogue, be open with your illustrator. It’s the easiest way to ensure you end up on the same page.
Secondly, be ready to change your vision. Maybe the illustrator has a slightly different concept of what a building or a character should look like. Don’t dismiss the illustrator’s concept just because it’s different from your own. An illustrator is by trade an aesthetic specialist. You’ve gone through the trouble of hiring one, trust that his/her ideas about composition, use of space, and translation of character descriptions into a visual are worthwhile. The illustrator is there to help you make the book the best it possibly can be – so get your money’s worth and be mindful of the expertise offered.
In the end, it’s all about collaboration and openness! Enjoy seeing your book come to life. The illustrator will have much to contribute to that process.
I'm currently working on a series of 5 children's books. Each requires 13 illustrations plus cover. Please send me an email on aubbieseychelles2@gmail.com
I'm trying to hire an illustrator, and I don't know what's a fair price. I've never done this before, and neither has she (in a book - she's done individual pieces). My illustrations are for a children's book, similar to the style of "the Sad, Sad Monster" by Delores Costello, about 12-18 illustrations per book. What's a fair price for that?