How to Illustrate a Picture Book: Creating the Drawings

Stage by stage, demonstration of how I turn a page of emailed text from a publisher into a full set of line-drawings. How to plan your illustrations with thumbnail sketches, designing pages and redrawing with layout paper. Learn how to allow space for text, work around the centre gutter and use a computer along the way to help with fine-tuning. This is a detailed break-down of the process, by award-winning illustrator Lynne Chapman.

[@kcorson8967]

My 7th-grade students are writing their stories and then publishing a picture book they will read to elementary students. Thank you for creating this video to show the illustrating steps for a children's book. Thank you!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

That's wonderful! I'm so pleased that you found my video helpful with your project - it's sounds great and I love that they are reading the book to the other children. I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it.

[@megancrouch]

This has been such a wonderful resource, thank you so much for sharing your process! It's always been a dream of mine to become a children's book illustrator, and I have just started the process of creating a portfolio geared towards illustration. Your videos have inspired me to take those first steps, thank you!

[@DarleneAByrdArtist]

Hi Lynne, I enjoyed your demonstration and accent! I am an artist too and really appreciate you sharing how to go about preparing your illustrations for the publisher. Learned some very important aspects of being prepared for changes. Thank you very much.

[@CortezFX143]

Embarking on my first book illustration job. I am a graphic designer by trade, but have not lost my respect and love for true art and design fundamentals. Thank you for taking time to share your expertise in this craft!!!

[@Thedigitalmidwife]

Thank you for this! I'm not an illustrator but am trying to illustrate my daughter's book. Just listening to you helped me to think of other things that I hadn't thought about! Thanks for doing this video. I greatly appreciate it.

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

You're welcome. Have fun! Ps: I don't know if you are interested, but I have a Craftsy class which is aimed specifically at helping you learn to draw characters for picture books. There's a direct link from my homepage at www.lynnechapman.co.uk It's on special offer this week as it happens. You can watch it over and over.7 lessons. :-)

[@maryalgar8779]

This was so fascinating to me. I had no idea about the process of illustrating a book. Thank you for educating me on this. You obviously love your work. I'm sure, like any job, it has its stress, but I imagine it feels more like play than work.

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you. I'm so sorry for the crazy delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it.

[@MartyYokawonis]

Lynn I have your Craftsy class and I have to say you are one of my favorite people as an illustrator teacher and just adorable person. I wish I could meet you! I love the way you simplify character creation!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed it!

[@arianadourre]

Being a designer who uses a graphics tablet, I was just cringing at all that paper she was using! But I do understand it's the method she's used to. Thank you for the video!

[@mikenkatiem9168]

Thanks so much for sharing this video. My daughter loves drawing and is very keen to become an illustrator. It was really good to see how the illustrations develop through drafting stages. Would love to see another video of what happens once you get the feedback from your publisher.

[@beauation]

I really enjoy your whimsical illustrations, Lynne!

[@ian-barsby-automotive-artist]

Hi Lynne! Thank you for this video. I have found it incredibly useful. I'm about to begin illustrating a childrens book for a client who has written her first book. Thank you so much!

[@sonikabiltoria9834]

Thanks a lot for providing such detailed and important information, i am a fresher graphic designer and this video help me understand better about how to complete my illustration projects.

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Cheers - glad you enjoyed it.

[@paperglyphs]

I really appreciate you sharing your process. What a gift.

[@MyRainbowangel]

Wonderful, clear instruction and insight on how hard you work towards the end product. Thank you for sharing

[@pattii8259]

Thank you. This was really helpful and you are most kind and so candid. Lovely! Awesome work too!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you so much Patti. I'm so sorry for the crazy delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it.

[@danielleciribassi4199]

This is extremely helpful, Lynne :). Thank you for taking the time to go through the process for us, step-by-step.

[@stephengyambrah2594]

Very helpful . I am coming out with my first children's book which I think is going to be great and looking for illustrator myself. I have the text or script ready.

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you. I'm so sorry for the crazy delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. Good luck with your book!

[@lemonmorning1844]

Thanks so much for sharing your process. So helpful!

[@maruchacastano3649]

hola! Lynne, soy de argentina, incursino en el mundo de la ilustracion desde hace unos años, me encantan tus videos, me ayudan bastante, hay cosas que no entiendo porque no sé mucho inglés, igualmente me encantan!!! muchas gracias! besos

[@maruchacastano3649]

Lynne Chapman thankssss!!! =) me tomé un tiempo para verlo con mayor detenimiento y saque mis propias notas. me ayudas muchisimo como metodología de procedimiento gracias! besos!

[@JenJan36]

Fab insight Lynne, thanks so much for sharing. Didn't realise how many of your drawings we have on our shelves too... Super!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

JenJan RanJan That's great to hear! Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@margaretmohally5433]

Thanks a million Lynne

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you. I'm so sorry for the crazy delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it.

[@sammarshillustration4823]

great video! Thanks for the help Lynne. A brilliant insight to your practice!

[@RemiNiscence102]

Thank you so much for sharing your insights! You are so kind and inspiring!

[@TheMiriamLinnea]

Im so happy I found this video - great to see people still happy to give advice without getting paid for it. Very useful video, thank you for sharing! I have a question regarding the process of getting your drawings into finished book. my plan: use line-drawings & watercolour to make my scetches -> scan them high resolution -> upload my digital scanned files to Adobe Indesign, where I will create the whole book. My question is if I need to use a profesional firm to scan my pictures, or do you think using a normal home-scanner will be sufficient, with the many features adobe ( creative cloud) have included? Are you adding your colours in Adobe inDesign or is that the designers job? Trying to figure if I should add watercolour to my sketches or add all colours in photoshoop. I will be doing everything myself :) Thank you so much again, & looking forward to hear from u!

[@RuoxiMyLife]

Thanks for your advise! I'm going to make my very first picture book recently. This video is so helpful! Love your drawing! I will definitely go find your picture book for my kindergarten children :)

[@LoobyLoo71]

That was WONDERDUL

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@morenitapielcanela21]

Thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge .

[@timbudgen4357]

A super video Lynne, thank you for sharing your talent and time - going to file this in my 'favourites' list :-)

[@mkeszi]

Very cool! Nice work, thanks for sharing your process.

[@Somnivers]

your drawing style is so awesome !You're fantastic !

[@madimarkowski7853]

Thank you so much for this video!!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

So pleased you enjoyed the film. I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it.

[@KiteChaser]

Cool. I like the layout paper idea. Quentin blake does something similar with watercolour paper and a light box for the same reasons.

[@MyRainbowangel]

Again very informative, I love your work and you are very inspirational Thank you

[@BiancaHaeckDesigns]

This was fabulous! I have always wondered about the process! Thanks for this!

[@frankanderson183]

Thank you for sharing your creative process. Lovely work.

[@circatronica]

Liked. Shared. Thanks for making this clip for everyone Lynne

[@kellilien1736]

Very helpful!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you!

[@janetluft3175]

Lovely. Very interesting!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you so much Janet! I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it.

[@wileretdoll]

So so useful! Thank you.

[@scarla3695]

Nice! Helped me with my project. Thank you!💖

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you Dammy. I'm so sorry for the crazy delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it.

[@scarla3695]

@@LynneChapmanArtist No biggie! Im happy you replied :) it's rare for the creator to comment nowadays

[@breathinganddrawing1301]

Beautiful illustrations and watching it was so interesting - thanks for sharing your working process and I'd love to see how it goes on!!:)

[@breathinganddrawing1301]

I'm already following and looking forward to the next films you'll be puttng up:)!

[@Max-hp7uh]

Super helpful! If you don't mind me asking, what kind of scanner do you use (if you use one) to get your illustration onto the computer? Also what program do you use to tweak the picture around?

[@isbejhari]

Beautiful drawings and nice and clear video lesson, thanks

[@Lisbonartist]

Thank you for sharing the process - very useful tips for beginner illustrator like me:)

[@endlesssummer7418]

Great video!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you! I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it.

[@endlesssummer7418]

@@LynneChapmanArtist It's good :)

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

@@endlesssummer7418 Cheers!

[@melenis4339]

Thank you very much, this was sooo instructive! You are very kind.

[@beththanks1756]

Excellent! Thank you for such valuable tips.

[@samdiyahfoods6121]

Nice, I'm waiting for your next tutorials ......

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you! I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it.

[@bevroberts8440]

Could you tell us what materials you used for the drawings in this video, i.e, type and weight of the paper, graphite or something else, etc.? I am enjoying watching your videos. I am an infant when it comes to drawing, but I have already learned a lot from this video (about your process).

[@mercedesgibson3444]

Thanks Lynne for a great video! Was wondering if you could actually make a video of you using photoshop and showing the steps toward enlarging the thumbnails. That would be extremely helpful, Thanks again

[@bmanel9774]

Did you do a video about adding colour? How long did it take you to create each page?I have written several children’s books and I am searching for illustrators but as I am a novice at this I am Ill-equipped to guide them. What computer program did you use to manipulate the images? Do you ever cut and paste your drawings from one to the next to conserve time? How large a scanner do you use and at what resolution?

[@drawwithellakardaandmore493]

Hi Lynne, thank you SO much for sharing your expertise! Which program(s) do you use for working with the illustrations on your computer?

[@amandaiglesias9492]

Thank you for sharing your process. You were very helpful.

[@JesseSteel]

awesome!!! thank you for the details!

[@jillcapps9782]

so helpful.

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. I'm so pleased you found it helpful!

[@draculina6]

What programme do you use to scan in the images and edit them? Also how do you make the lines of the drawings bolder and sharper when you scan it?

[@Floranienaber]

Hi Lynne- This video was just what I needed. Thank you for posting. As a 3D artist and painter, basic cartoon illustrations is all I ever done. As I try to educate myself about the world of illustration, I wondered about the actual process. I saw one post that said you use photoshop. I'm wondering about the paper you use and sizes. Also wondering about your coloring process and how you submit those. Thank you so much.

[@Floranienaber]

Great, I will do that! Do you talk about materials, sizes and programs used as well? Thks for your time.

[@laurahaney9348]

Lynne, what software do you use? And at what point do you color in the sketches?

[@KelechiAzu]

you can use Photoshop for this

[@KelechiAzu]

@Vince Ellis I'm very interested in what programs u had in mind?

[@LostNFoundASMR]

@Vince Ellis so if I may; what are they?

[@TView-ew7hc]

You can use Clip Studio Paint

[@suemcarthur105]

Thank you so much for being so inspiring

[@Canyoudigityesyoucan]

Excellent = thank you for creating this video!

[@LiSA-ki9tk]

Your video is so helpful. Thank you!

[@songforafriend]

Hey Lynne, First I want to thank you for these videos. I am an aspiring illustrator and this is all quite helpful to me! I am wondering what computer programs you use for when you scan in your drawings? Also, once you get the green light from the publisher, what is your next step? How do you go about tracing the drawings in pastel? Thanks again!

[@songforafriend]

Thanks so much for your prompt, detailed response, Lynne! I am learning a great deal. I'm so passionate about illustration, but getting started is so daunting for me. Getting such detailed information from someone so experienced and skilled does wonders for me. Makes me feel a little less alone and thrown into the wolves! :)

[@TheMowertech1]

Wow you draw really well. Did you have to develop and hone your drawing skills or are you a born artist? I am just starting this part of my children's book and wish that I could drawn my characters like you do.

[@idontknowaproperone]

Lynne, you did it all on paper. I love my ipad pro that I use for making pictures. Can I use those too for a book design?

[@bbbaker5844]

This is so helpful and interesting. Thank you. May I ask what software you use to edit your art and words?

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you - so pleased you enjoyed the video and found it helpful. I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. In answer to your question - I use Photoshop for all my digital 'tinkering'.

[@kimberlyd637]

Great video..... How often does the editors ask you make changes to your final illustrations once you send them off?

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you. I'm so sorry for the crazy delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. Art editors sometimes suggest minimal changes, but sometimes they are far more drastic. usually once I have made those changes, it's fine and that's all, but sometimes they come back to me again to change further. Once I go to colour though, there should be no further changes.

[@S4rge1337]

I am creating a book and looking to do both the writing and illustrating...Do I submit my book first? Or do I draw the pages out as well and then submit both?

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Hi Antonio. I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. If you are both an illustrator and writer, you need to do both. That's a lot of work of course, so you have to be confident that the images are definitely at a fairly professional standard, if you are submitting to a publisher. You would normally submit the drawn book, in pencil form, but, if you've not been published before, you'd also need to provide a couple of coloured artwork spreads, so the publisher knows how you would work the illustrations up. Good luck!

[@elainemagliacane]

Thanks for sharing this… so interesting.

[@taliamcgraw5528]

I'm working on a small illustrated children book for my nephew. It's going to be called the adventures of kason.

[@annadurham5392]

Hi Lynne! This has been a dream of mine- to write and illustrate a children's book. Didn't know where to start. You video was fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing. You are very talented! Quick question- What program did you use on your computer to edit your scanned images? Thanks!

[@gigip4727]

Hello Ms. Lynne, do you only accept submissions through agents/publishers for consideration or do you welcome new authors?

[@JavenarchX]

Nice art Lynne.

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Jezza Lenko cheers!

[@jeannettesalazar6442]

Did you draw and paint the illustration in the same size of the book? Or bigger and how big? 😊❤

[@andreeam9543]

Thank you so much for sharing this video! The drawings look great! I love your work! What kind of pastel colors are you using? Best regards, Andreea

[@vitosouza3518]

Thanks for your great video! I just finished writing a a manuscript, but I can't draw as good as you do.

[@hahalars1994]

Hi I really enjoyed your videos, so inspiring 🙂💞💕. I have a question what are the first step to become a Children book Illustrator?

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you. I'm so sorry for the crazy delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. First steps are drawing, drawing, drawing - as much as possible, as many things as possible, from imagination but also from life.

[@ayeshashabir4164]

Can someone answer the question that when you draw the final illustration on paper, how does it go into the book??

[@dianewebb3389]

Hi Lynne Loved your videos which I've watched this morning, 4 of them. I'm just getting into illustration and writing my own children's books, which I've been wanting to do for years but as a teacher never had the time or confidence to go for it. I am probably looking to self publish. My main question is what software is needed to upload pictures and set them with the text? But also, when do you add colour and do you always use pastels to colour? Thanks again for the inspiration

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Hi Diane. So pleased that you enjoyed the videos and they have helped to inspire you. I can't really help with software, as I only work with publishers, who deal with all that side of things. I would suggest you do some research to find another self-publishing children's writer/illustrator and ask how they did it. I personally always use pastel for my books, although that's fairly unusual. Watercolours are more common, but it's up to you - use what you are familiar and comfortable with. I only start coloured artwork when they entire book is designed, because changes to one page can influence another. I draw all the pages a few times, trying out possibilities and perfecting things, before I colour anything. You don't want to be making changes later. One tip for self-publishing would be to run your book idea past a children's librarian, before you colour it, to get feedback on what does and doesn't work. This will help to make up for the lack of input from other professionals, which I would normally get from my publisher. Good luck!

[@dianewebb3389]

@@LynneChapmanArtist thank you so much for taking the time to reply it is greatly appreciated. I have to say my favourite medium is pastel too. It's good to know it is ok to use. Thanks for the tips. Take care in these weird times.

[@dianewebb3389]

@@LynneChapmanArtist Hi again. I hope you don't mind me asking another couple of questions? I know from your KZbin that you use layout paper to edit your illustrations and you said you add the colour last, so when you want to add your pastel on, how do you transfer it onto pastel paper? Also, is it best to use white pastel paper and is there a type of pastel paper you prefer to use for this? I know they are simple questions with probably obvious answers but I just want to verify my own thinking so I know I'm on the right track. Thanks. Keep safe and healthy 💓

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

@@dianewebb3389 I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your last comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. I use a light box to allow me to trace the artwork from an enlarged version of the roughs onto the pastel paper. The light is just enough to make the paper translucent (although I usually have to draw the blinds).

[@dianewebb3389]

@@LynneChapmanArtist thank you for all your advice. Much appreciated. Take care

[@jbn9029]

Very informative! Thank you! What scanner and program did you use? Lovely illustrations.

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you. I'm so sorry for the crazy delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. I use Photoshop and I have an Epson scanner. It's very old but is A3, which is very helpful.

[@vonlossberg]

Hi Lynne! Oh was that helpful~did you do the illustrations on the layout paper? Or do a painting the same size? Did they put the text in after you gave them the art? What size did you do? Thank you so much. Your art is so precious! If you can help me I would sure appreciate it, thank you!!!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Hi Christine. Glad it helped. Yes they put the text in at a later stage - I don't have to have anything to do with that. If you look on my KZbin channel, you will find a film where I demo how I create the artwork. It's done on a completely new piece of paper, larger, in pastels.

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Here the link (but you should have a look around the channel, as there are several other films I think you'd find helpful) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2e8epJrlLSIp9U

[@tovahboyko4244]

do you color in with colored pencils or paint?

[@sotoodehyari]

thank you

[@ivanikolaev7542]

How do you add colour to your illustrations?

[@worldoflewisjames9069]

Thank you soo much for posting! :D

[@safi456]

woohoo! mine is the 1000th like! That's never happened before. :) Yeah, Im easy to please. Lynne, great video, and Im so jealous, you have such a great job. Please may I pick your brains? You said you scan the sketches into your computer and put them on a layout spread -- any particular software you use to create the spread? InDesign? Does the publisher tell you the size of the spread (i.e. the size of the book)? Or you get to decide? Ive written several children's books but never had any published. I'd like to illustrate them as well. My main medium is watercolour, and I'd like the illustrations to look like paintings rather than digitally drawn in Illustrator or any other software. Please could you tell me -- should I paint them and then scan them when they are perfect? If you want to tweak your drawings on the laptop what software do you use? You tweaked all the animals in the spread you showed, but does that mean you scanned each animal separately and put them all together in the final spread? Or you used layers in Photoshop? Sorry, Im sure some of my Qs sound really dumb, but Ive never professionally studied illustration -- I just love writing and illustrating children's books and would love to see my work published. Any advice from you would be priceless. Many thanks for your inspiring videos. All the best. :)

[@WhipperSnap]

I'm about to graduate high school and go into college soon. I was curious about what kind of jobs are available for someone with an Illustration major.

[@singingthumbelina]

your thumbnail is great already xD

Thanks for sharing!!!

[@elsieschmaltz6754]

Interesting.

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you Elsie. Glad you think so!

[@dafilmDario]

ohhhhh, hermoso trabajo, genial linda

[@DianaHernandez-fe9io]

wonderful !

[@AeriolNicols]

thank you very helpful. I am wondering if you could recommend a software. Preferably one that does not require monthly fees but that you can purchase outright. I am working on a kids book for my grandkids and this was really helpful.

[@capbin146]

Really interesting and detailed. What happened next?

[@tracyheath6076]

Great video... I like many others are curious where and when does the color get added? Do you do that or at the publishers?

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

So sorry I didn't pick up your question earlier Tracy. I do the colour once the roughs are approved. There is a video showing how I do this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2e8epJrlLSIp9U

[@scottylost01]

Hi Lynne, great video, I was wondering what software you use to make the computer edits?

[@shaynashoe]

Hi Lynne, I'm illustrating a children's book and am unsure about dimensions. What are the standard dimension sizes? What paper size can I use to draw a double-page spread illustration and still keep it 100% + in scale (so that I don't lose quality if scaled down). Thanks for your great videos !

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

There are no standard dimensions I'm afraid Shayna, as every publisher has their own sizes and they also each have more than one format. If you're self-publishing, check out the standard formats with the print company you're using. If you are creating something as part of a portfolio to present to a publisher, do a bit of research in your local library or bookshop and choose a format which seems common to a few publishers. The likelihood though is that a publisher will make you rework the artwork if they accept the book, so I never advise people to colour the whole book if it's for a portfolio - just maybe 3 spreads. As far as the artwork goes, it's always best to work larger, as work gains quality when reduced. As long as you make sure the dimensions you use will reduce to fit. My work is mainly done at around 130%. Plus don't forget that you need to add a bleed all round, for the printer. Hope that help. Good luck with your project!

[@shaynashoe]

@@LynneChapmanArtist I had no idea, Thank you for your helpful information and a speedy reply. In the past have you used 2 pieces of paper to cover a double-page spread or would you complete a double-page illustration on a single large piece of paper? Have you ever had to work on larger than A3?

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

@@shaynashoe Yes, always one piece of artwork. And yes, almost all my artwork is bigger than A3.

[@shaynashoe]

@@LynneChapmanArtist You've been so helpful thankyou

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

@@shaynashoe You're welcome :-)

[@nslat4172]

Hi! What program do you use to edit your scanned drawings on the computer?

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. I use Photoshop.

[@LadyAnneBoleyn92]

I wanted to ask what the name of the program is that you use to create the spreads online? Also thanks for all your tips!! I found them very informative!

[@LynneChapmanArtist]

Thank you. I'm so sorry for the crazy delay in answering your comment. I have trouble with notifications, so only just saw it. I use Photoshop.