LJMichaels Illustrations
- Spring Hill, FL 34606 (map)
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Children's Book Illustrator
Request a quote
LJMichaels Illustrations • via Phone or Internet
- You'll be asked a few quick questions that will help describe your needs.
- You'll be asked to provide your contact information so that Lisa Michaels will be able to get in touch with you.
- You'll have the option to get competing quotes from other qualified service professionals, saving you time and money.
The illustrator's job is to bring the characters in your book to life through lively, colorful, appealing illustrations. A professional illustrator is able to show your readers (through pictures) everything about your story that your manuscript does not say. They create a world for your characters to live in, adding their own personal style to give you much more than you could have imagined!
I am a professional, published, award-winning illustrator. It is my job, not a hobby. I take it very seriously as it pays my bills. When your illustrator is a dedicated professional, the average 32-page picture book will take around 4 months to illustrate. That being said, if you are looking for someone cheap to make your dream come true overnight, you'll have to keep looking. I will not spend 4 months illustrating your book for $500!
My price depends on the particulars such as:
- The number of pages you would like your book to be (16, 24 or 32?)
- The overall size of your book (for example: 8.5" x 11")
- Will you be dealing with/finding a printer, or will I?
- The type of files you will need me to produce such as PDF, JPG, PNG, etc.
- Will I be creating a special cover for your book or using an interior illustration?
- Will I be expected to determine your page breaks/text placement?
As you can see, there are many decisions to be made before the actual illustrations can be produced. The degree of my involvement, above and beyond illustrating the pages, is the key to determining a fee for your project. To give you a flat "per page" fee is pointless as you will most likely need additional services in order to get the final illustrations in the hands of your chosen printer. You will find this true with every professional illustrator you approach.
In my case, "professional" means that I have been to this rodeo before. I know how it works, from the inside out. If you hire me, you will have access to my accumulated years of knowledge in the children's publishing industry.
I am a published children's literature author as well, and I will review your manuscript, possibly making suggestions for improvement or editing. As my name will eventually be on the cover of the book as well, I feel it is important that the manuscript be well written; both our reputations depend on it.
I have great respect for any author who has reached the point of publication, and I hope the feeling is mutual. I work best with clients who respect my input and experience. After all, you're hiring me because you've reviewed my work, and it is to your liking, right?
I take direction well, and communicate very clearly and frequently. I am not someone who needs or appreciates micro-managing. With each job I accept, I do my best to please my client, and make his/her book the best that it can be. However, if you are looking for an illustrator who can crawl into your head and pop out the pictures as YOU alone can see them, that person would not be me.
While striving to give you what you desire, I feel it is important to inject my own perspective and personality into the project. I believe that when two creative people give 100% of their efforts, magical things happen! If you agree, please contact me. I look forward to hearing about your book!
Question and answer
Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A. There are many things you should know before you begin looking for a children's book illustrator for your book, for example:
*What company will be printing your book and what type of illustration files do they accept?
Each illustrator works differently to create their work. You will need to be sure they can create the files that are necessary for your printing company, otherwise, you could be paying for illustrations that you can't even use!
*What size will your book be?
It is important to decide this ahead of time, as it will be one of the first questions asked by your illustrator, and it's your decision to make.
*How many illustrated pages will you need? Will you be needing a special illustration for the cover, or will you be using an interior page on the cover as well?
In order to get an accurate price quote, your prospective illustrator needs to know how many illustrations are required to complete the job. You should expect to pay a higher price for a specialized cover that has the ability to attract buyers.
Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?
A. *Seldom do illustrator work alone.
Pages are loosely sketched and then submitted to their group of peers for critiquing before they move on to finishing each illustration. This is PART of the process to ensure that the composition of each drawing is the best that it can be.
*If you want your picture book to look professionally done, expect to wait a while!
Traditional publishers know that in order for an illustrator to do his/her best work,
>time is spent searching for reference photos,
>sketches are often drawn several times over
>most illustrations have many layers in order to achieve good, well balanced composition,
>color palettes must be well thought out to create an over "mood" for the book. Color is every bit as important as the illustration itself. Great drawings can become lack-luster if your illustrator is not familiar with the effects created by color.
>traditional publishers award their illustrators 4-6 months to create a picture book. They are well aware of the technical aspect, and respect the fact that their illustrators are usually working on several other projects as well as their own.
Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
A. In a world where many illustrators work looks similar, my attention to detail gives my drawings a distinct, professional style. I can guarantee that your book will be very special.
With each project I acquire, I do my level best to improve upon my last body of work, bringing a fresh approach and a renewed energy.
Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. The creativity of it all! I love the fact that each project gives me the opportunity to try new and exciting things or perfect what I already know.
In all of my characters, there is a little piece of me that shines through. I also love the fact that I get to create the world the characters live in. Often, I get to reveal more about the characters through their surroundings...when that happens, it's like magic!
In addition, I enjoy working with other illustrators in the critiquing process. We all learn so much more when we work together, and our clients benefit as well.
Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A. *How much do you charge?
This is the question I am asked the most, and it is the most difficult to answer because seldom is there enough information provided to give an accurate answer! Before asking this question, be prepared to share:
What size illustrations do you need?
How many illustrations will you require?
Do you need a separate cover for your book?
Will the illustrations be in color or b&w?
How much time will your illustrator have to complete the project? (Ideally you should give them at least 4 months)
Is there a certain style you had in mind?
