What makes a children’s book truly memorable? Is it the engaging story, the relatable characters, or perhaps the captivating illustrations that leap off the page? If we have to answer these questions, we would argue – Yes! A good story and characters are essential, while it’s often the illustrations that bring them to life, especially for young readers. “If words weave tales, it is illustrations that ignite curiosity, spark laughter, and foster connections with characters.” This is why the involvement of children’s book illustrator plays an essential role in the success of the books.
For aspiring children’s book illustrators, understanding the crucial connection between images and stories is vital. Knowing how different illustration styles can influence mood, enhance storytelling, and capture the attention of young readers is key to making a book truly unforgettable. From whimsical watercolors to dynamic digital art, each style offers a unique way to convey emotions, themes, and narrative.
Eric Carle, a renowned illustrator, once said,
“If you have a story that you want to tell, and you want to tell it to a child, you must have art.”
This quote clearly underscores the importance of illustration in children’s literature, highlighting that art is not merely a decorative aspect but a critical component of storytelling.
If you’re an aspiring children’s book illustrator, consider mastering different styles to develop your artistic voice while effectively connecting with your audience. By doing so, you can get the ability to transform simple tales into vivid, lasting experiences for children. To help you on your journey to become professional, we’ve compiled a detailed blog on five captivating illustration styles for aspiring children’s book illustrators. Discover the possibilities that await your creative talents!
Best Illustration Styles, Which All Aspiring Children’s Book Illustrators Should Consider
1. Whimsical Watercolors
Today, the use of watercolors in children’s books is quite popular. However, this was not always the case for watercolors. Watercolors started witnessing massive popularity in the late 19th and early 19th centuries when artists like Beatrix Potter (The Tale of Peter Rabbit) popularized this style in children’s literature. Potter skillfully used soft, natural colors that brought animal characters to life, becoming a staple work in its time.
Even after so many decades, watercolor illustrations have remained the same—soft, fluid, and dreamlike. The best thing about this style is the natural transparency of watercolor paint, which allows for delicate blending of colors, resulting in the creation of light and ethereal quality.
Ideal For
Gentle, imaginative, and emotional narratives
Who Should Consider?
Whimsical Watercolors are best for stories that involve nature, fairy tales, or heartwarming tales about friendship and family.
Example Books
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney (Illustrated by Anita Jeram)
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
(Sources: comicsalliance)
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
2. Bold Digital Art
As the name suggests, ‘Bold Digital Art’ uses innovative, modern software like Adobe Illustrator or Procreate to create contemporary illustrations. In today’s world, digital style has become dominant in children’s book illustrations. Many digital tools are used to control color, shading, and composition precisely.
Ideal For
Modern, Energetic, and Playful Narratives
Who Should Consider?
If you’re really into fast-paced, humorous stories or contemporary tales with lively action, opt for this illustration style. It is definitely up there as the trendiest illustration style for aspiring children’s book illustrators.
Example Books
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin (Illustrated by Daniel Salmieri)
(Sources: dragonslovetacos)
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers)
Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan
3. Minimalistic Line Art
‘Minimalism’ – this word is often used whenever we talk of art. This simple yet expressive style emerged in the mid-20th century as a reaction to more elaborate and expressive styles. The minimalistic line art style started gaining traction with artists like Jon Klassen (known for his works like “I Want My Hat Back”). This form of illustration style uses clean lines and minimal detail to convey emotion and character. Usually, this type of style is paired with monochrome or limited color palettes, making the illustrations more modern.
Ideal For
Thoughtful, Introspective, or Emotionally Driven Narratives
Who Should Consider?
Minimalistic Line Art design is ideal for stories that focus on emotions, relationships, or essential life lessons.
Example Books
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen
We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen
I Am a Bunny by Ole Risom (Illustrated by Richard Scarry)
(Sources: schoolreadinglist)
4. Collage and Mixed Media
This type of illustration is often regarded as the best for contemporary Children’s book illustrators. As the name suggests, “Collage and Mixed Media Illustration” involves a blend of various materials and artistic techniques, allowing the creation of layered, textured artwork. These illustration designs incorporate different mediums such as paper cut-outs, fabrics, photographs, paint, ink, or even digital elements to build a well-crafted composition. The origins of this illustration design can be traced back to the early 20th century when artists like Pablo Picasso and George Braque popularized collage techniques. As time evolved, the mutated version of collage illustrations (known as Mixed Media) became popular. 20th-century artists like Kurt Schwitters and Robert Rauschenberg were huge contributors to the popularization of this design.
Ideal For
Creative, Tactile, and Educational Narratives
Who Should Consider?
Children’s book illustrators who have a wide interest in stories that encourage exploration, imagination, and learning can opt for “Collage and Mixed-Media Illustrator Design.” Moreover, you can also use this in books that teach concepts or have interactive elements.
Example Books
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr. (Illustrated by Eric Carle)
(Sources: madrasshoppe)
Snip Snap! What’s That? By Mara Bergman (Illustrated by Nick Maland)
5. Cartoon Style
“Cartoon Illustration Style” – this is often regarded as a staple in children’s book illustration. Many renowned children’s book illustrators have used this style to elevate their creative expression. This style is widely used due to its accessibility, universal appeal, and ability to convey a broad range of emotions in a campy, exaggerated, and fun manner. The origins of “Cartoon style” can be traced back to Disney’s early animation era, when Steamboat Willie and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set the standard for cartoon-style characters with exaggerated expressions and forms. However, the cartoon style accelerated its popularity during an era of what we call the “Golden Age of Animation” (1930 to 1950). This era saw the rise of iconic cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, and Popeye. In children’s literature, cartoon illustrations became popular during the mid-20th century. The same formula on which Disney established its animations became an inspiration for various Children’s book illustrators.
Ideal for
Humorous, Lighthearted, and Exaggerated Narratives
Who Should Consider?
Children’s book illustrators who are deeply into silly, comedic stories with bold characters can try this style. Cartoon Style also works best for stories featuring animals and anthropomorphic creatures.
Example Books
Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems
Dog Man Series by Dav Pilkey
(Sources: Dev Pilkey)
Pete the Cat by James Dean and Eric Litwin
Takeaway
While wrapping up this guide, all we want to say is,
“Go through these illustration styles and boost your versatility and appeal as a children’s book illustrator.”
As experienced illustrators ourselves, we’re well aware that many of you might have chosen your favorite illustration designs. Well, that’s good! But we want you to experiment with your artistry and craft to analyze what style you work better in. Embrace creativity, refine your skills, and let your artistic journey inspire the next generation of readers.
At the end of this guide, we would like to quote one famous line by Mo Willems (one of the best children’s book illustrators),
“I’m a big believer in having a strong point of view. If you can, you should work on the book that only you can make”.In the contemporary landscape of illustration and animation, DeveoStudio has emerged as a creative industry leader. We’re a team of experts who are dedicated to their own field (editors, illustrators, book designers, and agents & more). If you have any unique story in mind and you want to publish it, look no further than DeveoStudio. Our commitment to unwavering quality has established us as a premier leader in the book illustration and animation landscape. If you’re looking to hire a book illustrator, editor, or designer, our team of professionals is here to help. Explore our website for more information!