Production · from $4,200 · 12 to 18 weeks for a picture book
Picture books, illustrated non-fiction, and chapter-book spot art by working illustrators with bookstore portfolios.
Illustration is half the book in picture books and a third of the book in middle grade. We match the illustrator to the manuscript, not the manuscript to whoever is available. Style, age band, palette, and pacing are all part of the match.
Behind the scenes
Five shots from the studio — the kind of work that ends up on your project.
The work, in three tabs
Fourteen illustrators on roster. We propose two by name on the discovery call; you pick one.
Illustrator reads the manuscript twice and writes a one-page interpretation of the visual world.
Twenty-six published picture books on her shelf, two of them as author. Reads every children's manuscript out loud to her seven-year-old before approving the read-aloud rhythm.
Sample deliverables
How it works
Week 1
Illustrator reads the manuscript twice and writes a one-page interpretation of the visual world.
Weeks 2–4
Thumbnail layouts for every spread. Approved before color begins.
Weeks 5–6
Two spreads in full color. Lock the palette and style here.
Weeks 7–16
Final art for the remaining 12 spreads, delivered in groups of 3–4.
Weeks 17–18
CMYK conversion, bleed and trim verification, final delivery.
Pricing
No 'contact us for pricing.' If a tier here looks close to your project, the final quote on the discovery call will be within 15% either way.
Standard 32-page format. Watercolor, digital, or ink.
Painted picture books, complex composition, multi-layer color.
30–60 spot illustrations for chapter books and middle grade.
The lead, in full
They join the discovery call. They sign off every deliverable. They are not a sales rep.
Children's Books Lead, 12 yrs
Twenty-six published picture books on her shelf, two of them as author. Reads every children's manuscript out loud to her seven-year-old before approving the read-aloud rhythm.
Studio
Book illustration — FAQ
14 spreads for a 32-page format (which is the standard). Some include a half-title spread, some don't. Elena will plan the page-turn rhythm in the storyboard.
Yes. On the kickoff call we name two illustrators and link to 6–10 of their published books each. If neither is the right fit we propose two more.
We do not currently take graphic novel or comic projects. The page-count and panel-rhythm work is a different discipline. We can refer.
Yes — full rights are assigned to you on payment. Merchandise, foreign-language editions, plush toys, t-shirts: all yours.
Famous illustrators typically work direct or through agents and book 18+ months out. We can sometimes broker an introduction, but most projects land better with a senior working illustrator who can ship in 4 months.
Pairs with
Most projects use two to four services. We bundle on the discovery call.
Ready when you are
A 30-minute discovery call with a senior editor — no sales script, no pressure. We'll tell you whether we're the right fit for your project, what it would cost, and how long it would take.