Realistic Comic Illustration

I am developing a high-end mobile app and need a series of illustrated storyboard-style images for the user onboarding/app walkthrough sequence. These illustrations should feel cinematic, emotional, and highly polished, blending:

- Photorealistic facial rendering
- Soft watercolor textures
- Clean, elegant comic-style linework

The tone is modern, atmospheric, and story-driven. The story follows a young woman through a quiet, emotional moment in her apartment, leading to her experiencing a real-world act of kindness, and going on to pass the act of kindness on to someone new.

If your work reflects the style of modern graphic novels, concept art, or watercolor comics, you may be a perfect fit.

The ideal style & tone requirements will blend the following qualities:

- Modern comic illustration with clean lines
- Subtle watercolor shading (not too washed-out, not cartoonish)
- Photorealistic characters, especially in facial expression
- Cinematic framing and lighting
- Emotional resonance (quiet, reflective, atmospheric scenes)
- Consistent character appearance across all panels

Think:
Calm golden hour, dusk, and nighttime lighting, soft shadows, expressive faces, and a real sense of human connection.

If you can draw scenes that look like still frames from a high-quality graphic novel adaptation of a film, you are exactly who I need.

The project scope will require ~20 illustrated panels at 1320 wide X 2868 pixels high @300-600dpi, each representing a key moment in the storytelling sequence:

- A young woman sitting at her window before dawn, looking out over the quiet city
- A roadside scene with her inspecting a flat tire on her blue 1965 Shelby Cobra
- A soft flashback memory of her and her father
- A moment of emotional realization
- The hand-off of a small gold-colored coin from a stranger who stops to help
- A glowing map moment on a mobile phone
- A nighttime “new beginning” walking scene
- Final atmospheric title card panel

(Full scene descriptions will be provided.)

Deliverables

20 full-color illustrations

- High-resolution PNGs (full resolution for mobile apps: 1320w X 2868 high @300-600dpi)
- Layered .AI, or .PSD files preferred
- Consistent character design across all images
- A style that closely matches the tone described above
- Ability to revise character appearance early in the process

You will first produce character concept sketches for approval. You will then create rough composition sketches for all scenes. Final colored and textured illustrations will follow. Revisions may be needed for character consistency and style accuracy.

I will provide:

- Full scene descriptions
- Sample reference styles
- Notes on mood, tone, and lighting

Ideal Skills:

- Experience in comic or graphic novel illustration
- Strong ability to portray emotion and cinematic lighting
- Ability to blend realism with watercolor texture
- Strong skill illustrating cars, urban scenes, and portraits
- Strong understanding of visual storytelling

Budget:

Please submit quotes based on either:
- Cost per finished panel, or
- Cost for the complete 20 panel sequence

Budget is flexible for the right artist.

When applying, please include:

- Portfolio samples that specifically match this style and tone
- Any comic, storyboard, or concept art work
- Your estimated timeline
- Your preferred communication method
- Whether you work in Procreate, Illustrator, Photoshop, Clip Studio, or another tool

Applicants without relevant stylistic examples will not be considered.