Hand Drawn Children’s Illustrations Needed

Job ID: 40199921

Budget: $30 – $250 USD

I’m getting ready to publish my very first 24-page children’s book on Amazon KDP and need a talented illustrator who works strictly by hand—no AI shortcuts. The trim size is 8.5" × 8.5", and I’ll also need a matching front and back cover.

Because I’m still refining the overall look, please be ready to show a range of styles (cartoonish, realistic, whimsical—whatever best sparks the story) so I can pick one consistent approach before you dive into final art. The main characters are African American, and while I have key scenes in mind, I’m open to your creative suggestions.

Here’s how I picture the workflow:
• You share rough sketches for every spread and cover so we can lock composition and character details early.
• Once approved, you move to full-color illustrations (300 dpi, CMYK) formatted for KDP, keeping bleeds and margins in mind.
• Final delivery includes high-resolution print-ready PDFs plus layered source files (PSD, Procreate, or AI) so I can make minor text tweaks later if needed.

Timing is important: I’d like everything completed within 20 days, so please confirm you can meet that schedule. As I’m self-funding, my target range is about $6–$8 per illustration; let me know if that’s workable and we can agree on milestones. Also include a link or PDF with samples of previous children’s book work so I can see how you bring characters to life.

If you’re a deep thinker with steady line work, rich color sense, and the honesty to give clear progress updates, I’d love to collaborate and get this story into young readers’ hands.