Working in
Partnerships
An
Illustrator’s View on Working with an Author.
By: Mikey
Brooks
—Henry Ford
As a freelance illustrator I get to work with
various authors with all different points of view. My main mission is to take
an author’s story and transfer it to imagery. Sometimes it’s not always an easy
thing. I have a great challenge because I know, being an author myself, that
writers see their work in a specific way. I would hate to create an
illustration and it not stand up to the expectations set by the author. This is
why it is so important to work together with the author to build a beautiful story.
As an example I’d like to share my experience with
working with author Jim Long on our book
Lucius and the Christmas Star. You might have noticed I said “our” book.
Remember that it’s a partnership; it’s no more Jim’s book than it is mine. We
created it together. When Jim approached me to illustrate his book, I was
thrilled. I love Christmas stories and his was very unique, because it told the
account of the wise men that is taken from the bible—which is much different
than one told traditionally. The only thing that scared me at first was that
the main character was a camel. I did not draw camels well! In fact I had
created a wall mural for my sister’s home where I painted Noah’s Ark, the camel
was hideous and I hid him mostly from view. So I had lots of homework to do. I
drew nothing but camels for about a week.
Once I came up with the camels that I liked the best
I emailed Jim some of the drawings. Once he approved them I then started on the
actual sketches. Throughout the process he would give me hints on what he preferred
things to look like. I would tweak them a little to meet his expectations, but
at the same time give me myself creative liberties. In the end I believe Lucius
the camel turned out perfect.
Lucius
and the Christmas Star is now available. You can find it
and other books by me at www.insidemikeysworld.com
and click on the picture books tab.
If you are an author looking for a freelance
illustrator I suggest some key things:
1. 1-Before
you even look at their prices, look at their art. See what work they have
already put out. Look at their website and look at their galleries. Make sure
their art coincides with your vision.
2. 2-Check
out the books they have already done. If they don’t have a book yet, please do
not mark them off your list. Everyone needs a first step. You could provide
that for them.
3. 3- If
you like their work, and their prices fit in with your budget (illustrators all
charge different rates, but most freelance artists stay way below the threshold
of the mainstream market) then ask them about their process. Some might have
this on their site, I do, and it’s important for authors to know because this
goes into the next key…
4. 4-What
is their time frame going to be? Most freelance illustrators have day jobs too.
So the work they do will be done on the side. Make sure you give them enough
time to do their job effectively. Most work within 6 months to 1 year. If you
have a Christmas book, don’t wait too long to hire your illustrator.
5. 5- If
you like everything about them, then make sure you both agree on the terms. You
are building a companionship, a partnership, together; your goals need to be
the same. I wish you best of luck in your process.
I have more information on illustration and tips for
authors and illustrators at www.insidemikeysworld.com
and also on my blog at www.writtenbymikey.blogspot.com.
I invite you to look at them both, or just email me if you have any more
questions: insidemikeysworld-AT-gmail.com.
Where to find me:
Twitter at
@writtenbymikey
Facebook under Mikey Brooks
