PLEASE READ before contacting me, thank you.
I'm unavailable to take on illustration commissions or children's book illustration.
If you're looking for an illustrator, there's a list of illustrator portfolios below in the first FAQ.
Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions below before contacting me.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I’m an aspiring author and have written a children’s picture book. Will you illustrate my story?
Thank you for thinking of me, but there’s actually no need for you to look for an illustrator unless you’re self publishing or, in the rare situation, your publisher wants you to organise the illustrations. Unfortunately, I won't be able to illustrate your story as I only work with a handful of traditional children's book publishers.
Thank you for thinking of me, but there’s actually no need for you to look for an illustrator unless you’re self publishing or, in the rare situation, your publisher wants you to organise the illustrations. Unfortunately, I won't be able to illustrate your story as I only work with a handful of traditional children's book publishers.
Here are some helpful links if you need to find an illustrator yourself:
For more info on the children’s book industry and how it works, please consider joining the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators. I have learnt so much from aspiring and professional members here in SCBWI Queensland and made some wonderful like-minded friends too.
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I’m an aspiring illustrator, do you have any advice on how I can enter the children's book industry?
First of all, you don't need to go to university to become a children's book illustrator, however, completing a graphic design degree or learning skills that lead to regular employment, is the most sensible thing to do. Like most authors and illustrators, I've found it difficult to make a living from only illustrating children's books. Having a graphic design degree under my belt, enabled me to gain employment or freelance contracts to help supplement my income.
First of all, you don't need to go to university to become a children's book illustrator, however, completing a graphic design degree or learning skills that lead to regular employment, is the most sensible thing to do. Like most authors and illustrators, I've found it difficult to make a living from only illustrating children's books. Having a graphic design degree under my belt, enabled me to gain employment or freelance contracts to help supplement my income.
I highly recommend becoming a member of the following kid-lit groups if you're in Australia. Or if you're overseas, SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) is the best international kid-lit group as it has wonderful community groups in many states and countries across the word. Local kid-lit groups often offer children's book workshops for illustrators and writers (this is where you'll learn everything you need to know about illustrating books and the children's publishing industry. Also, there's Pass It On, an Australian kid-lit e-zine you can subscribe to, which will let you know the dates and venues of kid-lit conferences, book launches, publishing opportunities, competitions, portfolio submissions, industry news, workshops and more.
Here are some of the local kid-lit groups I'm a member of:
When you feel that your portfolio is ready to present to publishers, you can subscribe to the required memberships and submit your artwork to the portfolio websites listed below:
The above portfolio websites are the two most popular websites traditional publishers and self publishers search for children's book illustrators. I've received most of my contracts from publishers contacting me via my ASA Style File portfolio. To have a portfolio with them, you'll need to join ASA (Australian Society of Authors), which is well worth becoming a member of. Not only are they the best advocates for Australian writers and illustrators, they offer support and services for illustrators, including illustration mentorship opportunities, illustration publishing contract advice and more. If you have any questions that I have not covered please feel free to message me via the contact form below.
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Are your illustrations traditional or digital?
By mixing the two, I’m able to enjoy the best of both worlds!
Over the years, I have found illustrating digitally to be more efficient and flexible when working to deadlines and making changes. It is also environmentally friendly, in that I don’t use nearly as much paper during the storyboarding and character development stages. However, I don’t wish to compromise on my traditional style, so I include my original soft pencil outlines, watercolour washes and handmade textures in my final illustrations, which are completed using Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom drawing tablet.
By mixing the two, I’m able to enjoy the best of both worlds!
Over the years, I have found illustrating digitally to be more efficient and flexible when working to deadlines and making changes. It is also environmentally friendly, in that I don’t use nearly as much paper during the storyboarding and character development stages. However, I don’t wish to compromise on my traditional style, so I include my original soft pencil outlines, watercolour washes and handmade textures in my final illustrations, which are completed using Adobe Photoshop and a Wacom drawing tablet.
More recently, I've fallen in love with my iPad Pro and Procreate illustration app, which allows me to illustrate anywhere. Even in bed!
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I looked for your book at my local bookshop, but couldn’t find it. Where can I purchase your picture books?
If my book is currently not on the shelf of your local bookstore, you can ask a staff member to order one in for you [if they stock books from that publisher]. Alternatively, you can purchase online by clicking Children's Books from the top menu. Then click the gallery picture for your chosen book – where you will find some internal pictures, my illustration process, information and a 'buy now' link – under each book cover. The 'buy now' link will direct you to the publisher's page. If the book is missing from the publishers page, it might be currently out of print, in which case, you may wish to contact the publisher directly. Sometimes the more popular children's books are only out of print for a short time.
If my book is currently not on the shelf of your local bookstore, you can ask a staff member to order one in for you [if they stock books from that publisher]. Alternatively, you can purchase online by clicking Children's Books from the top menu. Then click the gallery picture for your chosen book – where you will find some internal pictures, my illustration process, information and a 'buy now' link – under each book cover. The 'buy now' link will direct you to the publisher's page. If the book is missing from the publishers page, it might be currently out of print, in which case, you may wish to contact the publisher directly. Sometimes the more popular children's books are only out of print for a short time.
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If you have any questions that I have not covered please feel free to message me by filling out the contact form below:
Thank you for your message.