Q&A for How to Illustrate a Book

Get a scanner or printer. You can get some pretty cheap off of Amazon or from Staples. Save the drawing and then do whatever you want with it. If you already have a scanner and you don't know hot to use it, search for the instructions online. If you're on a budget, you can just take a picture of your drawing.

You can use whatever medium best suits you. As long is your original artwork is in a format that can be represented in a book, there should be no problem using canvas.

Yes, but try to be creative. Find something that fits the book.

Submit your illustrations to the publisher.

Most of the time you will have to get permission. Some websites sell images you can buy and use however you like, and others offer public-domain artwork that just anyone can use for free. If there is nothing obvious indicating that this is the case, however, assume you need permission. In most countries, copyright applies automatically, even if there is no copyright notice and the copyright is not formally registered.

Of course, it's your book. And if you think that it looks better in black and white, then keep it like that. There are many books out there with black and white covers. There are even covers out there in black and white but with a small amount of colour to make something eye catching.

There are digital art programs you can use. Try ibisPaint, FireAlpaca, GIMP, MS Paint, or Adobe Photoshop.

Start by planning your story to know what will happen on each page. Create a rough layout of your illustrations and decide where the pictures and text will go. Choose your medium, such as watercolor or colored pencil, and ensure you have the right paper. Work through each page methodically, including the cover and title page, and enjoy the process. Photocopy your finished artwork and assemble the pages.

In the US, you can include in the contract that you own the copyright and publishing rights to the images, but the other artists will still need to be credited. It's best to consult with a lawyer familiar with the publishing industry.

You can try painting, drawing, sketching, or coloring to create an exciting cover.

It depends on the software you are using. You need to provide more details to get specific assistance.

Unless the artwork is abstract, it's better to draw it at the intended size from the start. Resizing larger drawings can result in parts being cut off or blank spaces.

Patents don't cover illustrations—copyright does. In many places, including the US, Australia, and New Zealand, your illustrations are automatically protected by copyright as soon as you create them. However, registering the copyright with the appropriate legal body in your country will make it much easier to defend.

You don't need to trace images; they often look more natural when drawn while looking at a reference. If you still want to trace, you can open the image on a computer screen, place paper over it, and trace with a pen, marker, or pencil.