How I Became a Children’s Book Illustrator

☕ Pour yourself a cozy cup of coffee or tea and join me for a moment, I’d love to share my story with you, my journey into the world of children’s book illustration.

Before you imagine some fancy art school story, let me stop you right there. 😄 When I started, I had no professional art education. No art schools. No courses. No professional guidance. No contacts or connections. No fancy equipment. No experience. And no idea what I was doing.
Just a love for drawing, a big dream, and a lot of curiosity.

It’s been 7 years since the first book I ever illustrated was published, and somehow, I’ve now created over 70 children’s books!
Dozens of little worlds filled with stories, characters, love, giggles, and dreams.

And honestly? Every single one still feels like a miracle to me.
I never take it for granted. It’s the privilege of helping authors bring their stories to life, of being part of something that might become a kiddo’s favorite bedtime book. That’s pure magic. And I still feel grateful for this!

My Childhood Roots

I’ve been drawing since a toddler. When I was little, everyone was obsessed with paper dolls. Sounds familiar? You know, those flat little figures with cut-out outfits? I used to make my own dolls, and I’d design tons of clothes for them (and for my girls classmates’ too!).

As a teenager, I always had a sketchbook in my bag. I doodled during breaks, bus rides, anywhere. But it was always “just a hobby.” Something just for me, just for fun; othing I ever thought could become a real career.

Then life happened. Studies, work, responsibilities. I put my pencils aside.

But everything changed when I became a mom. 💕
Suddenly I was drawing cute animals on the walls, making coloring pages, sketching funny little creatures. Again just for fun, for them, for us.

And every night when we read books together, I’d lose myself in the illustrations. I’d study how other artists brought stories to life and feel that tiny seed of curiosity growing inside me:
“Could I maybe… do something like this?”

I didn’t believe it at first. It felt like a silly dream. But …

The First Step (and the Big “Wow!” Moment)

So one day, I decided to try. Who knows… I started posting some of my drawings online.
Nothing fancy — just what I had.

And then came the big discovery: there were Facebook groups for children’s book authors and illustrators! I still remember how surprised I was, I never thought there could be somesthin like that. Silly me! 😄

I joined, shared a few pieces, commented here and there (just basic/average English at that time and still learning ;)). And to my absolute shock, someone reached out asking about my illustration services.

I couldn’t believe it. Someone wanted me to illustrate their book!

That was the moment everything changed. One project led to another, and it just started rolling, like a snowball—bigger and faster than I ever expected. It’s amazing what can happen when you keep showing up for your dream!

However!

It didn’t happen overnight—not even close. So please, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Becoming a full-time illustrator takes time, and that’s completely okay.

In the beginning (and honestly, sometimes for quite a while), there was a pretty strange time where I was juggling my “old” job with my creative dreams. I was trying to find that balance between what was already part of my life, something stable (however not my dreamwork) and something special and dearest to me, but still very unpredictable and uncertain. It can feel messy, uncertain, and yes, sometimes completely exhausting.

Maybe it will turn out completely differently on your journey: quickly, instantly, boom! But if it takes more time (like me), don’t stress too much and don’t give up too early.

Also, there will be ups and downs (there still are, even when you become a super-experienced illustrator!). There will be rejections—maybe even a few in a row.

But becoming an artist is a process, a wonderful, sometimes bittersweet, always meaningful process. And I promise, it’s worth every step.

Just a little side thought, maybe we can dive deeper into this topic in one of the next posts, if you’d like. 💛

👉 This (left) was the very first cover I ever created… and this (right) one here is my most recent.

🎨 Learning, Growing, and All the Things in Between

Over time, I learned so much, not only about art, but also about everything that comes with creating a book:
✨ character design, book & cover design
✨ page layout and book formatting
✨ preparing files for print
✨ understanding contracts
✨ communicating with authors
✨ the self-publishing world

… and much more!

Some lessons came smoothly. Others… not so much. 😅
There were a few tough moments and mistakes, especially with contracts and communication. But each experience—even the painful ones—helped me grow stronger and wiser.

And along the way, I also wrote and self-published two of my own children’s books.
That gave me a whole new appreciation for authors. Now I know exactly what it feels like to be on their side too.

💛 This little corner of Patreon can be your cozy art place, a space to learn, grow, and find inspiration whenever you need it.

This space is where I share my journey, my lessons, and all the little behind-the-scenes stories I’ve gathered over the years. I’m currently working on a big course about how to create and publish your own book—but until it’s finished, you’ll find lots of mini-lessons, insights, chunks and tips right here on my Patreon (more coming!).

Whether you dream of illustrating children’s books yourself, or you just love learning about the process, you’re very welcome here.

Over the years, I’ve designed hundreds of characters: animals, dragons, unicorns, fairies, you name it! Now I’m working on a series of character design tutorials (both for beginners and for more advanced artists).
They’ll be packed with tips, tricks, and small secrets I’ve learned through experience, everything from sketching expressions to bringing characters to life with color and personality.

But don’t forget the fun mini-tutorials! They’re perfect for gathering experience and improving your skills—after all, every brushstroke matters.

✏️ A Few Quick Tips from My Own Experience

Here are some little lessons I’ve learned along the way (take them or leave them), but I hope they help you on your journey:

• Be kind, patient, and helpful. Every author is unique. Even if you’ve worked on dozens of books, remember that for many authors, it might be their very first. Treat each project with care, respect, and attention.

• Pay attention to every detail. From sketches to layouts to colors, each tiny choice affects the final story. Details matter, and your thoughtful touch makes all the difference.

• Keep improving your skills. Try to level up your drawing a little bit every day. Experiment, practice, and challenge yourself—growth happens gradually, but consistently.

• Share your journey. There’s always someone new, overwhelmed, or unsure who could use a little encouragement. By sharing your experiences, you might be the light that helps them move forward.

• Be wise with contracts. Always read everything carefully and make sure you understand what you’re signing. Know the meaning of each sentence and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

• Create fair, balanced, and joyful relationships. Aim for win-win collaborations. Treat your partners with respect, communicate openly, and keep the process enjoyable for everyone.

• Handle criticism wisely. Don’t take harsh feedback personally, but do consider if there’s something useful to learn from it. Every piece of constructive insight can help you improve.

• Don’t rush your art. Quality takes time. Even if no one else notices, you will know if something isn’t your best work. Take the time you need to make your art shine.

• Know your worth. Pricing is tricky, but stay true to yourself. Ask what feels fair for your time, skill, and effort. Don’t undervalue your work.

I plan to dive deeper into many of these topics in future posts. I’ve already shared some of my tips and experiences here, so dive in, explore, and don’t hesitate to ask questions, I’d love to help you along your creative journey!

Let’s chat

So that’s my story, or at least a big part of it. If you’re walking a similar path, I hope it gives you courage. Because honestly, if I could go from doodling paper dolls to illustrating over seventy children’s books… then you can absolutely do it too.

Thank you so much for being here, for reading, and for sharing this creative space with me.
If you ever have a question, worries, struggles, or also success. . . or just want to chat, leave a comment. I’d love to hear your story too! 💛