Professional Freelance Children’s Book Illustrator: My Process from Story to Illustration
I never start a project by opening my drawing software.
That might sound strange for a Children’s Book Illustrator, but it’s true. I always start with the story. Sometimes I just read it quietly. Sometimes I read it again the next day. I try to understand what kind of feeling the author is trying to create, because drawings without feeling don’t stay with children for very long.
My name is Ananta Mohanta. I’ve been working as a Children’s Book Illustrator for more than 15 years. I work independently and with authors from different countries. Some are experienced writers. Many are publishing their first book. Almost all of them are nervous in the beginning.
That’s normal.
Before Anything Else, I Pay Attention
Most authors don’t need advice in the first conversation. They need to be heard.
So, I listen. I don’t rush into explaining styles or prices. I want to know why they are writing this book and who it is for. A bedtime story feels very different from a fantasy story, even if both are for children.
As a Children’s Book Illustrator, my role is not to decorate words. My role is to support the story quietly, in a way that feels natural.
Characters Come First, Always
If the character doesn’t feel right, the book never feels right.
This is something I’ve learned over the years. Children may not explain it, but they sense it immediately. That’s why I spend a lot of time on character sketches. I try different looks. Different moods. Different ways the character stands or moves.
I share these early sketches with the author. Nothing is final at this stage, and that’s important. This is where trust begins. Many people who hire children’s book illustrators expect finished artwork immediately. I don’t work that way.
Good characters take time.
I Don’t Force a Fixed Style
Every story asks for something different.
Some books need soft colors and simple shapes. Some need strong contrast and energy. Fantasy books often need deeper worlds, while gentle stories need space to breathe.
As a professional children’s book illustrator, I let the story guide the style rather than repeating the same look. That keeps the illustrations honest.
Once we choose the direction, I keep the style consistent throughout the book. That consistency matters more than people realize.
Planning the Book Matters More Than Speed
Before finishing illustrations, I plan the entire book visually. Page turns. Text space. Balance.
This step helps authors see their book clearly for the first time. Especially new authors. It removes uncertainty. Working with a freelance children’s book illustrator should feel reassuring, not confusing.
Final Illustrations Are Never Rushed
When I move to the final artwork, I slow down.
I pay attention to expressions. To color. To the small details that children notice when they read the same book again. As a Children’s Book Illustrator for hire, I believe rushed illustrations always show. And once printed, they can’t be fixed.
That’s why I don’t hurry at this stage.
About Changes, Cost, and Trust
Changes happen. That’s part of creative work. I don’t see revisions as a problem. I see them as a conversation.
I keep pricing clear from the start. No surprises. No hidden conditions. New authors already have enough to think about.
Trust grows when communication is honest and consistent. Many authors come back to me for their next book because they felt safe with me on their first.
Why I Work This Way
My process didn’t come from a course or a formula. It came from years of real projects, real mistakes, and real learning.
Being a Children’s Book Illustrator is not just about drawing well. It’s about responsibility. Someone trusted you with their story. Children will spend time with those images.
That matters.
If you are looking to hire children’s book illustrators, I always suggest choosing someone whose process you understand, not just whose portfolio looks good.
For me, illustration is quiet work. Slow work. And meaningful work.
-Ananta Mohanta
Children’s Book Illustrator & Freelancer
To know more: www.anantamohanta.com
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