From Sketch to Shelf: The Journey of Book Illustration

Are you planning to write a book? But are you worried about it not catching the attention of the audience? Well, you are not the only person to feel such a way. However, there is one way you can ensure your book grabs maximum attention. Really? How? We’ll tell you exactly how – by simply adding beautiful book illustrations to it, silly. Oh, now we are talking!

In order to get you acquainted with how you can design awesome illustrations from sketch to the shelf, we have written this blog. Below, we have spilt some tea regarding the simplest steps to add illustrations to your book to make it catch people’s attention.

So, grab your reading glasses and read on!

5 Steps To Make Your Book Illustrations Go From Sketch To Shelf

Seek Out Stylistic Inspiration

Suppose it is your first time creating Book Illustration Designs. In that case, we think seeking stylistic inspiration from your favourite artists and award-winning book illustrations might be the best way to start. Apart from these, it is a wise idea to have a look at some recently released books too, to get an idea of the current trends.

Test your strengths, whether you are skilled at stick figures, line drawing, graphic designs, or whatever. Just make sure to consider your book’s age range and reading level when you brainstorm inspirations.

Begin With A Storyboard

When working with a publishing house, you will get a brief outline from the art director, editor, or the editor themself. However, if you are the author of the book you are illustrating, things can get tough for you. Because you must make a brief outline of what each illustration must portray all by yourself. Shudder!

Well, luckily, this process is more fun than challenging. To build your storyboard, it is vital that you go through the entire book and, as you go, make rough sketches and take notes.

Done taking the notes and making sketches? Well done! Now, you have to make thumbnail sketches for each scene of your book. This thumbnail or storyboard will represent how your final product will look. See how easy it was!

Seek Feedback

Give yourself sufficient time to redraw illustrations based on feedback from your fellow illustrators, editor, art director, author, family, or friends.

If you are working on illustrating your own book, you will have some flexibility compared to working on someone else’s project. Because for other people’s book illustrations, you will have to go through multiple rounds of edits. Yikes!

We agree that redrawing illustrations after getting feedback can be troublesome, but we assure you it will be worth the effort. So, keep your chin up and carry on making the best illustrations to mesmerize people.

Focus On Character Development

A lot of books revolve around a main character who can be seen in every illustration. So, to become a pro at drawing the main character, why not practice drawing it again and again? That too in different situations and with different expressions? What a marvellous idea!

As an author, this is the part where you will be required to weigh in the colours that will be used in the illustration. If you know nothing about choosing the right shades or character, sweat not! You can always seek help from Book Cover Design Services.

But make sure to use your voice, instead of just relying on these service providers. Don’t like the wallpaper in the background? Speak up! Do you wish for your character’s hair colour to be 3 shades lighter? Now is the right time to call that out!

This stage is all about choosing the right things before the illustrator makes the final touches. So, don’t shy away from giving out your opinion. After all, it is your project, so it has to be perfect, doesn’t it?

Arrange The Final Artwork And Text

Once you have your inspirations in place, your storyboard tailored perfectly, worked on feedback and developed your characters, you must be thinking that you are all done. Not so fast! Even though you have done almost everything, one teensy-weensy step is left. It is to arrange the artwork and text to make your book stand out on the shelf.

Lay out your art with the text. This process will require you to do the image editing, such as resizing and layout, as well as design a book cover. Make any necessary adjustments, as after this step is finalized, you won’t ever get the opportunity to alter the designs again. So, scrutinize every detail and make your illustrations achieve perfection.

• What are the major steps in book illustration?

While illustrating your book, you must keep the below-given steps in your consideration:

1. Step 1: Explore unique and new ideas.
2. Step 2: Narrow down the concept.
3. Step 3: Sketch the perfect scene.
4. Step 4: Choose your colour palette.
5. Step 5: Block out colours.
6. Step 6: Create depth.
7. Step 7: Add light and shadow.
8. Step 8: Add texture.
9. Step 9: Final refinements.

• What are book illustrations and what is their purpose?

Book illustrations are a type of fine art used to tailor images and pictures for books. They serve more than just being pretty pictures by helping to add more to the story. Thus, these illustrations enhance your books in one way or another. These graphics also keep the readers engaged and interested. This is why they are mostly found in children’s books.

• What are the main elements of book illustration?

Your book illustrations must be able to convey the message easily. However, they must not only be restricted to conveying the message. But also expand and complement it. The main elements of book illustrations are:

1. Font type and size,
2. Margins,
3. Page numbering,
4. Headings,
5. Line spacing, and so much more.

• What types of books need illustrations in them?

Certain types of books, including technical work, scientific work, as well as children’s books and atlases, have become quite heavily illustrated. From around the mid-18^th century, a lot of new sorts of novels also have a tiny amount of illustration in them to keep the readers engaged.

In a Nutshell!

By knowing how to make your books stand out from the competition by adding beautiful illustrations, you are part of the gang too. So, why are you still here? Go on and start sketching your illustrations, get inspirations and feedback, and arrange them with your text to spice up your game!