Illustrating my first children’s book
Two years ago I started learning to draw. Today I have published my first illustrated children’s book.
After drawing for a year I wanted to use my skills on something more than posting random drawings on Instagram. I needed a project.
4 years ago I started reading kids books which helped me build confidence in reading books cover-to-cover. It didn’t take long before I moved on to adult books and it has stayed with me — a couple of weeks ago I finished reading The Martian, and The Barefoot Investor. I’m currently reading Elon Musk’s biography.
I always have time to read more kids books though. And over time my attention has been drawn specifically towards picture books.
So I was happy (and scared) when Rachel Bes approached me and suggested we create a children’s book together. She wanted to write one and I wanted to illustrate one.
The project was born.
The Little Adventurer
Rachel and I have similar interests. One being we like to try new things and want to motivate others to do the same. I knew what Rachel was writing would resonate with me.
She told me she wanted to tell a story about a kid who loves to be brave and try new things. After our first discussion on how we would run things I went home and started designing the character.
Developing the character
I had little idea how to design a character. I had been learning to draw by copying photographs and other people’s work. This was the first time I was creating something from scratch. The amount of possibilities was overwhelming. The learning curve was steep but it proved to be the right time for pursuing these new skills.
It’s an amazing feeling to make something from nothing and here I was creating a person. Calling it a daunting task is an understatement. Every facial or body feature I added, tweaked, or removed in turn changed The Little Adventurers persona.
Tying down the design
Little did I know how much she would evolve and change the more I got to know her. If you compare the initial sketches to the final design today they look nothing alike. I much prefer today’s design.
There were a few important points that developed over time while designing The Little Adventurer that helped me solidify her appearance.
- It would be a girl. Exploring and adventuring is often associated with boys. We didn’t want to add to this misconception.
- She would be a little weird & quirky. Something needed to stand out about her, so she would be instantly recognisable.
- She did not need to be fit, tall, or skinny. Again exploring and adventuring can be associated with fitness and appearance. I don’t want kids to feel they need to be anything they’re not to try new things.
Here is the final character design:
The most notable feature — her beanie — and specifically its long tassels is what makes The Little Adventurer instantly recognisable.
Symbolically, they keep her safe as she explores new grounds. She can tie her tassels to something and go anywhere — knowing she can always follow them back to where she started. Otherwise they grow, shrink, and adjust to her surrounds.
Artistically, they can be used to show where she has been, emotions she is feeling, and assist her with doing tasks whether it be climbing, swinging, holding, pulling, etc. The possibilities are endless — much like the list of adventurers she wants to embark on.
Practice makes progress
Ironically, the biggest challenge I experienced while illustrating The Little Adventurer was my own improving skills. Every page I finished I compared to the previous and would think to myself “Oh no this one is so much better. I have improved too much, and now I have to redraw the other pages”.
I redrew lots of pages, lots of times. I wanted to make every page perfect. I quickly learned however that my skills, tastes, and style will always be evolving and so my sense of what is perfect will always be evolving too.
Practice does not make perfect — practice makes progress. That is what I learned to achieve. Progress — not perfection.
Drawn to life
I started drawing two years ago with no goal in mind. Surprisingly that’s how I stayed motivated. If I started drawing with the goal of illustrating this book I would have failed. I learned to draw so I could draw — not so I could create a book.
I was nervous to start this project because it meant drawing was no longer only a hobby. I was putting my skills to something that I wanted to complete and possibly make money from. This wasn’t going to be a whim project that would fizzle out; I was going to finish it.
The perfect time to draw turns out to be the exact moment I feel like doing nothing at all.
Finding time to draw can be difficult. The perfect time to draw turns out to be the exact moment I feel like doing nothing at all. Essentially, I have time to draw when I don’t feel like drawing. When the inevitable urge comes to sit on the couch and watch TV I know it’s an opportunity to make progress on drawing. Sometimes I seize those opportunities.
An open book
I’m proud to say that I have illustrated my first children’s book that is now available to buy online! I wasn’t sure this day would come. Ever since I read the first chapter of The Little Prince I’ve toyed with thoughts of writing my own children’s book, but drawing one has surprised even me.
If you found this post, my drawing journey, or The Little Adventurer inspiring please consider purchasing a copy. And share this post with any friends or family you think might appreciate it.
You can buy it here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/rachel-beswetherick/the-little-adventurer-goes-to-japan/paperback/product-23335774.html
The aim of The Little Adventurer is to inspire kids to be brave and try new things. I think that’s an important message to communicate to boys and girls in todays world.
