Illustrations are a wonderful way to visually support the superb world-building of your fantasy novel, making your book more immersive. Deciding to enrich your fantasy novel with illustrations is easy — but finding the right illustrator is another question entirely!
Some world-famous authors also illustrated their own books, but most of us are better off outsourcing that job to a professional. Are you about to start your search? Here’s a look at the questions you should ask illustrators you are considering for the job before you sign a contract, to make sure the illustrator you choose is the best person for the job.
- 1. Can You Tell Me About Your Style? Can I See Your Portfolio?
There are many different ways to go about finding an illustrator for your fantasy novel. An illustrator’s art may be the first thing you see because some illustrators share it all over their websites. As a debut or experienced fantasy author, you may not know much (or anything, even) about different art styles. However, you do have a personal sense of aesthetics. Taking a look at an illustrator’s portfolio, which contains the best examples of their previous work, is by far the best way to find out whether you believe their work belongs in your fantasy novel.
Illustrators can be very versatile, producing illustrations for a variety of genres and purposes with ease. The one thing all their work has in common is that they made it — and each artist does develop a signature style.
Asking an illustrator to tell you about their style and the types of illustrations they love doing can give you a great sense of who they are as an artist. This can help you decide if an illustrator is right for your fantasy novel.
- 2. Can You Tell Me About Your Process? What Ideas Do You Have for My Fantasy Novel?
Illustrators, like writers, draw inspiration from the world around them and are influenced by their moods. Learning about the process the fantasy illustrators you have shortlisted go through to create beautiful art for your novel is important.
Some fantasy illustrators may expect you to send in a very brief description of the illustration you would like them to create — like “young woman with magical sword bravely looks at the cityscape ahead.”
Others are perfectly willing to read a few chapters of your work, especially if you are asking for numerous illustrators. These illustrators may even feel they need to immerse themselves in your fantasy novel before they can design illustrations that do it justice.
Some illustrators produce client-directed work, while others welcome the opportunity to run with their own inspiration, based on your novel.
That’s why it is so essential to get a feel for an illustrator’s process before you start working together. Your chances of ending up with beautiful illustrations that make the world your mind has given birth to come to life go up if you can develop a productive and enjoyable working relationship with your illustrator, after all.
- 3. What Are Your Rates?
You’ll want to know if the type of art an illustrator fits the mood of your novel before you ask how much hiring an illustrator will cost you. “What are your rates?” is probably your most burning question once you figure out you love the illustrator’s work, though!
Don’t be like Fortnite developer Epic Games and make insulting lowball offers if you want to earn the illustrator’s respect. The illustrator you’re negotiating with is thrilled to be able to make a living doing what they love, just like you, but they do need and want to make money.
It helps to know that illustrations can cost anywhere between $375 and $12,000 a piece. The rates depend on the complexity of the illustration, the amount of time an illustration takes to complete, and the illustrator’s experience. Some illustrators are happy to work for royalties as well, and if you want to own the copyright, that’ll cost more.
Just ask the question. The illustrator is expecting it, and you need to know.
- 4. How Long Will it Take to Complete the Illustrations?
An illustrator’s availability is another important question to consider. Do you have a deadline in mind? You will have to make sure an illustrator whose work you love can have the illustrations ready in time.
- 5. Do You Have Any Questions for Me?
Debut authors who have never worked with illustrators before know less about the process than experienced illustrators. Don’t hesitate to ask if an illustrator you are considering hiring for your fantasy novel has any questions for you.
These questions may be about the creative direction of the work you would like to have done. They could also take a more technical direction, such as questions about preferred software, or relate to your contract.
The illustrator you are talking to is probably happy to ask their own questions. However, inviting them to do so shows respect for the illustrator’s role in your fantasy novel.
This quick look at the questions you shouldn’t skip when you’re considering fantasy illustrators for your novel shows what questions not to skip. Don’t stop there, though! Write everything you want to ask an illustrator down in advance, so you don’t forget, and enquire about anything else that comes to mind along the way.
Don’t forget to Google your illustrator before you sign a contract, as this simple step can tell you a lot about their work history and reputation. Being thorough ensures your fantasy novel will be filled with illustrations that perfectly capture the mood of your book, allowing your audience to paint their own vivid pictures in their minds.