In previous posts, I discussed some of the most popular illustration styles used in picture books. In this post, we’ll examine the tools and mediums that artists use to create their distinctive artwork.
As an author, I know that the text of the story is very important, but what they say is true: a picture is really worth a thousand words. The illustrations set the tone for the book, convey feelings and mood, and help the reader step into the story.
Illustrations can be soft and dreamy, whimsical and playful, or dark and moody. The feeling you’re hoping to convey in your book should guide the choice of medium and the illustration style.
Six commonly used mediums for illustrating children’s picture books are watercolor, acrylic, pencil, charcoal, collage, and digital. In the remainder of this post, I will explore the first three of these mediums.
Watercolor: This is one of the most popular mediums because its beautiful, subdued, and gentle colors are often perfect for children’s books.
This traditional method of illustration is a versatile medium for creating a wide variety of effects in book art. Watercolor can be combined with other mediums, such as pen and ink, colored pencils, and acrylic paints, to expand its range.
Acrylic: If you’re looking for illustrations that are vibrant, colorful, and playful, acrylic might be the answer.
Many illustrators choose acrylic paint because it comes in a variety of colors, is easy to work with, and dries quickly. Acrylic paint can also be thinned out to achieve the look of watercolor or applied thickly to achieve the density of oil paint. Its versatility makes it the go-to medium for illustrators who prefer paint to other mediums.
Pencil: If you’re interested in illustrations that are detailed, colorful, warm, or bright then colored pencils could be a good option for you.
It is quite common to use black and colored pencils in children’s book illustrations. Pencils are cheap, can record a lot of detail, and are a great tool for book illustrators in general.
In Part 2 of this blog post, I will give examples of the three remaining illustration mediums. Stay tuned!