Behind the Scenes: Life as a High Quality Children’s Book Artist
Hi, I’m Ananta Mohanta. For over 15 years, I’ve worked as a high quality children’s Book Artist, creating custom characters as a dedicated children’s book illustrator for authors around the world. There’s a lot more to this work than people see on the printed page, so here’s a look behind the scenes. During this time, I’ve seen how a single drawing can make a story feel real for children. I’ve worked with writers from different corners of the world — some writing their very first book, some adding another story to their shelf. Each project teaches me something new.
Why I Chose This Path
When I started, I didn’t know what to expect. I just knew I loved drawing characters with tiny details that made them feel alive. Over time, I realized that good children’s book illustrators don’t just draw — we listen. We listen to the writer’s vision, we imagine the world through a child’s eyes, and then we bring that world to paper.
That’s what makes a high Quality children’s book artist stand out from someone who just copies and pastes the same old faces. Every child knows when a character feels flat or copied. They’re honest critics — they’ll pick their favorite page by pointing at a funny hat or a tiny smile you might not even notice at first.
Sketchbooks Full of Secrets
I have piles of old sketchbooks stacked in my studio. For every finished illustration you see, there are pages of rough ideas that didn’t make it. That’s the real work behind childrens book illustration — trial and error, little experiments, changes here and there.
When someone is finding illustrators for a children’s book, they often don’t see this side. They see the final bright colors, but behind that is a pencil line that got erased ten times. That’s part of what makes good children’s book illustrators for hire worth it — we don’t settle for the first idea.
Listening Comes First
One thing I’ve learned after all these years is that the best illustrations come from listening. When I meet a new author, I never rush. I ask questions. Who is this character? Are they shy or bold? Do they have a special toy, a habit, a favorite hat? I’m not just drawing a face — I’m drawing someone who lives in the reader’s mind.
That’s what separates an ordinary children book illustrator from a High Quality Children’s Book Artist. The extra time we take to listen and sketch rough ideas shows that we care about getting it right.
Why I Work Without Upfront Fees
A lot of authors I meet have been disappointed before. Some paid an advance, only to get illustrations that felt generic or didn’t match their vision at all. That’s why I decided long ago that I won’t ask for advance fees. I’d rather prove my work first.
When someone is finding illustrators for a children’s book, trust is everything. That’s why I offer a free sketch demo. If the author feels my character matches their story, then we continue. If not, they lose nothing. It keeps things fair and simple.
Every Character Is Different
Over the years, I’ve illustrated all kinds of characters — animals in hats, brave little girls on adventures, clumsy dinosaurs, curious forest creatures. Each one had its own shape, colors, and quirks. This is why I never use stock art.
Quick solutions tempt many new writers — buy a few ready-made drawings, tweak them, and publish fast. But readers notice. Real children’s book illustrators for hire take the time to craft something unique. That’s how you join the list of famous children’s book illustrators people remember — not because of fame alone, but because each book looks different from the last.
Step by Step, Page by Page
For every book, my process stays the same. First, I sketch the main characters. I share them with the author. We fix things early — maybe a different hairstyle, softer smile, and bigger eyes. Once the main characters feel right, I move to the scenes.
It’s never about rushing to finish. Good childrens book illustration takes patience. That’s what makes a story feel warm and special for years. When parents open the book at bedtime, they should feel that care on every page.
What I’ve Learned from Authors
Authors often teach me as much as I teach them. Some come with a clear picture in their head. Some trust me to imagine it for them. Many worries about working with someone they’ve never met. That’s why I keep my process open and clear — step by step, sketch by sketch.
When someone is searching for children’s book illustrators for hire, it’s not just about the lowest price. It’s about feeling that their idea is safe in someone else’s hands. That’s the promise I try to keep every time.
How I Stay Inspired
People sometimes ask where my ideas come from. The truth is, they come from small things — watching my own children play, noticing a puppy’s tilted head, and remembering a character from a story I loved as a child.
Being a High Quality Children’s Book Artist means staying curious. It means looking at the world through the eyes of a child. That’s why even after 15 years, I still fill pages with tiny sketches that might never be used — but each one teaches me something.
Behind Every Book
Behind every finished book, there are hundreds of choices — color palettes, pencil marks, erased lines, notes back and forth with the author. This is the side readers never see, but it’s the part I love the most. It’s what turns an ordinary drawing into something that lives on a child’s shelf for years.
When people talk about famous children’s book illustrators, they often think of the big names. But every artist starts with one line on a blank page. We all work through rough drafts, awkward sketches, and doubts. What keeps us going is the love of seeing that final smile on a child’s face when they discover their new favorite character.
For Anyone Finding Illustrators for a Children’s Book
If you’re a writer dreaming of your own children’s book, know that you don’t have to settle for copy-paste art. Take time to see how an illustrator works. Ask questions. Look at their rough sketches, not just polished pages. See if they’re willing to listen, to change, to try again.
That’s what makes a good children book illustrator different. That’s what I’ve learned, one book at a time, one sketch at a time.
Thank you for reading a bit about my world behind the scenes.
If you’d like, you can,
see my children’s book illustrations here
Contact me for a free demo here
Read my guide on ‘Finding Children’s Book Illustrators Worldwide
— Ananta Mohanta
(Children’s Book Illustrator)
To know more: www.anantaart.com
Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/illustratorananta/
Behance: https://www.behance.net/ananta-mohanta
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ananta_mohanta_
Leave a Reply