So, you’ve decided to go for it — you’re going to illustrate your own children’s book. Maybe you doodled your character yesterday, and it looked more like a potato with eyes than a tiger with personality. That’s okay. Today is about finding a visual style that works for you.
And trust me — you already have a style. You just haven’t met it yet.
What Even Is a Visual Style?
In simple terms, your visual style is the way your illustrations “feel.” It’s your personality on the page. Some styles are clean and minimal, some are bold and chaotic, some are soft and textured. It’s the combination of:
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Line work (thin vs. chunky vs. scribbly)
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Color palette (bright, muted, pastel, neon, earthy)
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Shapes (angular vs. round)
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Texture (flat vs. grainy vs. painterly)
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Expression (realistic vs. exaggerated)
It’s not about copying someone else’s illustrations — it’s about discovering the voice of your book through visuals.
Style Is an Extension of the Story
Let’s say your book is about a sleepy bear who loves cloud-watching. Would a jagged, neon, graffiti-style illustration make sense? Probably not. But soft, round, pastel tones? Perfect.
On the other hand, if your book stars a group of rebellious space hamsters causing chaos in a science lab… yeah, let’s get wild with color and energy.
Ask yourself:
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Is my story gentle, silly, dramatic, spooky, or quirky?
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What mood do I want kids to feel when they turn the page?
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Which parts of the story should feel calm? Which should feel exciting?
Let your answers guide the way you design the world.
Steal Like an Artist (With Respect!)
Look at books you love. Open Pinterest. Search “children’s book illustration styles.” Find three to five styles that speak to you — not because they’re the most detailed, but because they feel right for your book.
Now, study what you like about them:
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Are the characters simple or complex?
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What kind of lines do they use?
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What’s the color vibe?
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Do the backgrounds have detail, or are they super minimal?
Then, make a “style collage” using screenshots or a mood board in Canva or Milanote. This is your inspiration bank.
Try the 3-Style Challenge
Here’s a fun exercise:
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Pick a single page or moment from your book — maybe a scene where your main character reacts big (surprised! scared! happy!).
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Sketch it in 3 totally different styles:
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One with just geometric shapes
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One as a silhouette (solid color shapes only)
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One with outlines and flat color
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Which one makes you smile the most? Which one feels closest to your story? Boom. You’re getting closer to your style.
You Don’t Have to Stick to One Tool
The cool thing about being an indie author is… you make the rules.
You can mix:
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Hand-drawn illustrations (scanned or photographed)
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Digital illustrations
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Collaged textures (like photos of paper, fabric, wood)
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AI-generated backgrounds (we’ll cover ethical use soon!)
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Simple shapes made in Canva or PowerPoint
You can even use crayons, cut paper, or watercolor textures and blend them into digital pages. That’s your style — uniquely messy, playful, and yours.
Pro Tip: Start with a Limited Palette
Too many colors can overwhelm your style early on. Pick 3–5 core colors for your book, plus a few neutrals. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re trying to keep scenes consistent.
Not sure where to start? Try:
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Or search “kid-friendly color palettes” for inspiration
Your Tiny Assignment for Today
Make your visual style mood board. Use Pinterest, Canva, a sketchbook, or a folder on your desktop. Gather:
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3-5 illustrations you love
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Your book’s mood (describe it in 3 words)
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3 versions of one scene drawn in different ways
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just start noticing what styles feel right to you.
You’ve already got the creativity — we’re just shaping it into something kids (and parents) will fall in love with.
See you tomorrow for tips on drawing characters that actually look consistent across pages — without needing fancy anatomy skills. 🖍️
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