How Digital Tools Are Changing Children’s Book Illustration Styles
I can still remember when I first noticed more children’s book illustrators drawing on tablets instead of in their sketchbooks. I didn’t think much of it. I figured it was just a trend, and honestly, I stuck to my pencils and paper. But by the time I started to see what was possible. Now it’s 2025, and there’s no doubt—digital tools have changed the way many of us illustrate children’s books. I’ve come to enjoy the process more than I expected. Watching this quiet shift unfold has been genuinely inspiring.
If you’re an author searching for children’s book illustrators for hire, or simply curious about how the art side of books is changing, this shift toward digital is something worth knowing about.
A New Kind of Pencil
I still remember how natural it felt holding a real pencil and working on textured paper. Many illustrators—myself included—still love traditional tools. But now, with an iPad or a drawing tablet, I can create almost the same look and feel digitally. Tools like Procreate or Adobe Fresco let us paint with brushes that mimic watercolor, ink, charcoal—you name it.
What used to take days of layering with real paint can now be done digitally with the same care, just more efficiently. That’s great for authors too, especially when deadlines are tight or changes need to be made quickly.
Children’s book illustration Styles Are Blending Together
Digital tools haven’t replaced traditional art—they’ve expanded what’s possible. In 2025, we’re seeing a lot of children’s book illustration styles that blend the softness of pencil with bold digital color. Some books feel handmade even when they’re entirely digital.
As illustrators, we now have more freedom to explore and experiment with styles. And that means more unique visual storytelling for the kids reading our books.
Many illustrators for children’s books are also pushing the boundaries by using textures, layering, and lighting effects that weren’t so easy before. This gives stories a deeper emotional feel—and helps characters come to life in new ways.
Working Together Has Gotten Easier
Not too long ago, if I was working on a book with an author, we’d go back and forth over email. I’d sketch something, scan it, send it off, and then wait—sometimes for days—to hear back. It worked, but it was slow. These days, it was a whole different experience. I can share updates right away, chat through changes in real time, and stay on the same page no matter where the author is. Doesn’t matter if they’re in New York or halfway across the world—it still feels like we’re in the same room.
This change is a huge plus for authors looking for children’s book illustrators, especially those working independently. You don’t need someone local anymore. You could easily work with a children book illustrator in the US, or someone overseas—it’s the connection and understanding that matter most.
Quicker Changes, Smoother Workflow
Another thing authors love about digital children’s book illustration. Revisions are easier.
Let’s say a character’s shirt needs to be red instead of blue. Or a scene feels too dark and needs to be lightened. These kinds of changes, which used to take hours to repaint, now take minutes.
This flexibility helps both sides. Authors get more say in the final look. And illustrators can focus on what really matters: making the artwork meaningful, not just pretty.
But the Heart of It? That Hasn’t Changed
Even with all the new tools and shortcuts, the job of a children’s book illustrator hasn’t really changed. Our role is still to help tell the story—to bring a writer’s world to life with feeling, color, and imagination.
Beautiful tools don’t automatically make beautiful art. What makes children’s book illustration truly special is how well it connects with children. And whether an artist works digitally or traditionally, that human connection is still at the center of everything we do.
I’ve come across many talented high quality children’s book artists in recent years, and almost all of them say the same thing: no matter how advanced the tools become, the story still leads.
What’s Trending in 2025?
Here are a few things I’ve noticed in the industry lately:
1. Soft, Dreamy Palettes
Muted pastels and gentle tones are everywhere. Soft, gentle colors are everywhere right now. They bring a quiet, calming feeling to the page, which works really well for bedtime stories or anything with an emotional tone.
Natural textures are also making a big difference. Even when the artwork is digital, many illustrators are adding layers that look like real paper or hand-drawn pencil lines. It gives the illustrations warmth—something that feels a bit more personal, like it was made just for the child holding the book.
3. Inclusive Character Design
There’s a conscious effort to represent all kinds of kids—different skin tones, abilities, and cultures. Digital tools make it easier to customize and reflect this diversity with care.
4. Interactive Teasers
Lately, I’ve seen some illustrators include a bit of gentle movement in their previews—like a blinking eye, or leaves swaying in the background. It’s just a touch, nothing flashy, but it helps the artwork stand out online without turning it into a full-blown animation.
What That Means If You’re an Author
If you’re working on a children’s book and not sure how to handle the artwork, here are a few things that might help as you think it through:
- Explore Different Styles – Look at portfolios of children’s book illustrators for hire and see what styles speak to your story.
- Don’t Be Afraid of Digital – Just because something is created on a tablet doesn’t mean it’s “less real.” Many of today’s most beautiful children’s book illustrations are digital—and stunning.
- Talk to the Illustrator – Whether they work traditionally or digitally, what matters most is that they care about your story as much as you do.
- Know That You Have Options – You don’t have to stick with local artists. You can easily connect with a children book illustrator in the US or anywhere else who matches your vision.
In the End, It’s Still About the Story
Digital tools have opened up a lot of creative doors for us. But no matter how we draw—on paper or screen—the real magic happens when a child opens the book and sees the world we’ve created.
Technology may have changed the process, but the purpose of illustrating children’s books remains the same: to create something that makes a child stop, look, and feel.
To know more: www.anantamohanta.com
Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/illustratorananta/
X: https://x.com/AnantaMohanta6
Behance: https://www.behance.net/ananta-mohanta
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ananta_mohanta_