Want to become an illustrator?
Well this is how I did it
3 years ago, the thought of becoming a children’s book illustrator never even crossed my mind… so how did I become one?
A little bit of circumstance (Covid lockdowns), a little bit of luck (born with artistic ability) and a little bit of help from Mark Zuckerberg (well facebook algorithms).
In March 2020, like most people I was stuck at home looking for ways to entertain myself. My son kept on incessantly washing his hands - after each wash, his hands were squeaky clean, but the bathroom looked like a disaster zone! I had an idea to sketch the concept. I was inspired to sketch more and did a whole series of kid’s activities at home during lockdown. I hadn’t drawn or painted in many years - thanks to my iPad and procreate it was so easy to pick it up anytime and not worry about setting up paints or cleaning up the mess.
I started down the path of learning how to use procreate more proficiently through YouTube tutorials and facebook groups. I also thought about collating my sketches into a picture book about our life in lockdown. And one day… a facebook ad popped up for a course: ‘Make Art That Sells - Illustrating Picture Books’. I clicked on the link and signed up immediately. That split second decision changed my life forever.
I did the course. I was terrible at it and there was was too much for me to take in. BUT I absolutely fell in love with illustrating picture books, I met wonderful people and it led me to my first commission… A friend asked me to illustrate 20 stories ‘The Adventures of Princess Kaiya and Teddy’.
From this project and a few other illustrations I had a portfolio. My portfolio was accepted to the ASA Style File. One of my favourite pieces was an underwater scene with Princess Kaiya as a mermaid. It caught the eye of a publisher - IP Kids who contacted me to illustrate ‘Little Shark Lulu is Sleeping’.
I loved the text and wanted to do it immediately! The publisher said it was between me and one other illustrator, so I got to work straight away to show that I was a good fit for the project. I illustrated a double page spread from the book, without being asked to do it. I was at the end of a Covid isolation period with my kids, but I told them we needed to stay home one more day 😉. It paid off and ’Little Shark Lulu is Sleeping’ was published in August 2022.
I now have a few more commissions under my belt and two more signed book contracts.
This all happened alongside a LOT of sketching, illustrations, instagram challenges, commissions, publisher assessments, late nights, courses, writing, self-doubt, fullment, guilt and becoming a SCBWI member and a member of illoguild (an International writing and illustration critique group) and cardboard box illustrators. All of which (minus the self doubt and guilt) I hope to continue to do for years to come!
Why I love illustrating picture books
It makes art accessible, especially to little people who can litterally hold it and don’t have to go to a museum to see it.
It is less about high concept (like fine art), it is very practical and much more about storytelling
The illustrations create moments of connectivity between people (usually children and carers) and it brings new worlds and possibilities to the reader.
Once a book I’ve illustrated is out in the world I get to use it to connect with kids and encourage young readers to enjoy books!
News
I’m doing my first school visit next week - I’ll be reading ‘Little Shark Lulu is Sleeping’ and doing activities with a year 1 class in Sydney.
I have completed the line drawings for ‘Mia’s Glamma’ the new picture book I am working on with Josie Montana and IPkids, which will be published early next year.
I’m continuing to write my own picture books and I have started ‘MATS My Kid Book Pitch’
Such an inspiring story, Lulu is such a beautiful character, all the best on her tour 💕