The Importance of Visual Storytelling in Children’s Book Illustration
Explore my other articles on my sketching process and how I use color in my illustrations.
I thought I had it all figured out. My illustrations were pretty, my colors were harmonious, my technique wasn’t too bad, and I was getting a lot of positive feedback. But when I sent my work to children’s book illustration agencies, I got nothing but rejection. The first few? I brushed them off. After all, rejection is part of the game, right? But the more I received it, the more I began to wonder: What was I missing?
So, I went on a mission to find out.
I started talking to more experienced illustrators and artists, and that’s when it hit me: my illustrations weren’t telling a story. I realized that my work wasn’t lacking in technical ability, but in emotion and engagement. My characters looked nice, but that was about it. They barely expressed any emotions and weren’t interacting with their environment. The poses and compositions were repetitive and static.
Looking back, I see that in my earlier work, my characters had almost identical facial expressions and repetitive poses, regardless of the scene. The truth is, how characters interact with each other, their surroundings, and the way they physically express themselves are some of the most powerful tools in visual storytelling.
If you're an illustrator or just curious about visual storytelling in children’s books, I’d love to share some of the things I’ve learned so far.
Notice how all her face expressions are the same?
What is Visual Storytelling in Illustration?
At its core, visual storytelling means that every element in your artwork, whether it’s a character’s body language, the lighting, or even the color palette, is working together to tell a part of the story. It’s not just about creating pretty pictures (though they’re nice too!). It’s about making sure that each choice you make in the artwork communicates something. In picture books, this is crucial because the illustrations don’t just show what’s happening, they show how it feels.
To get a better grasp of visual storytelling, I took a closer look at some of my favorite children’s picture books. One that really stands out to me is Albert’s Quiet Quest by Isabelle Arsenault. The illustrations don’t just show us what Albert looks like, they pull us right into his emotional world. The soft, muted colors tell us he’s seeking peace. The way he’s shown sitting apart from others speaks to his desire for solitude. These illustrations work perfectly with the text, but they also tell their own story about Albert’s journey: his need for quiet and his eventual realization that noise isn’t so bad after all.
Resources for Learning Visual Storytelling in Children’s Book Illustration
Since I’m still early in my career as an illustrator, finding the right resources has been a game changer. Here are some books and podcasts that have helped me start thinking more about visual storytelling in my own work:
"The Art of Storytelling" by John Walsh:
This book, along with the YouTube channel, breaks down the basics of how to shape a narrative. It’s been a fantastic resource for me, especially in learning how to think about my illustrations as part of a bigger story, rather than just isolated pictures.
"Children’s Picturebooks: The Art of Visual Storytelling" by Martin Salisbury and Moreg Styles.
The case studies are especially helpful, they really break down how different elements of an illustration (like composition or color) play into the narrative.
"Invisible Ink" by Brian McDonald:
This book, focused on screenwriting, introduces one of its most powerful concepts: "invisible ink." This refers to subtle, often unnoticed elements that form the hidden structure of a story. In illustration, these could include a character’s choice of clothing, the dominant color in the background, or a seemingly insignificant object in a scene that later becomes important to the narrative.
The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams:
I never expected a book about animation to change the way I thought about illustration. But when I read The Animator’s Survival Kit I realized that the principles about timing, movement, and emotional expression apply to illustration too. Learning about anticipation, weight, and exaggeration has helped me bring more life to my illustrations.
And if you're more into podcasts, here are a couple that have been a big help for me:
3 Point Perspective by SVSLearn: A great podcast for aspiring illustrators. They cover everything from character design to visual storytelling techniques.
You Are A Storyteller by Jesse Bryan and Brian McDonald (author of “Invisible Ink” mentioned earlier): This one is a goldmine for anyone interested in storytelling. It really dives into the emotional side of building a narrative.
One of the illustration I made after learning more about visual storytelling
Key Illustration Tips for Visual Storytelling in Children’s Books
If you’re looking to bring visual storytelling into your own illustrations, I’ve picked up a few tips that have been super helpful. If you’re on the same journey, I hope these can help you too!
Thumbnails
These quick, messy sketches help you establish the vibe without worrying about the details. Sometimes I’m still amazed at how helpful they are. Keep experimenting! I write more about the power of quick, messy sketches here.
Pacing
Use white space to slow things down or create a dramatic pause. Need a more dramatic turn? Pack more detail into the scene. Pacing is a lot like music: sometimes you need soothing classical music, while other times it’s all about that upbeat funky beat.
Body Language
Body language is everything. A character’s posture communicates what words can’t. Are they excited, sad, terrified? What characters wear, their hairstyle, and the objects they carry can tell a lot about their personality. Let the artwork speak!
Composition
Use composition to lead the viewer’s eye. Make sure your composition directs the viewer’s attention to the key elements of the story. Use techniques like the rule of thirds or the golden ratio to arrange important elements. Pay attention to the angles from which the scene is viewed.
Color
It has become one of my most powerful tools. I use it to communicate emotions, whether that’s the warmth of happiness or the coolness of sadness. Color is where the magic happens. I write more about how I use color here.
How Do Illustrations Help Tell a Story
Looking at my work now, I’m happy to see the improvement. If I could go back and talk to the person I was a year ago, I’d tell her: Stop focusing so much on the technical perfection. It isn’t just about making pretty pictures. It’s about engaging, communicating and playing. If your work doesn’t feel anything, it will never connect with anyone. That’s the real magic of visual storytelling. . It’s been such an exciting and sometimes challenging journey for me, but I’m so glad I’ve started focusing more on how my illustrations can tell a story on their own.
I’d love to hear how you approach storytelling in your work. Do you have any favorite resources or tips? Have you ever had a moment where your art, or your work in general, felt like it was missing something? What was that missing piece for you, and how did you discover it?
I’m always excited to learn from others!
I appreciate you reading this far,
Mila