How to design and create a children's picture book • Barbara Marini Illustrazioni & Graphic Design

How is a picture book born?

Where does a picture book originate?

How do you begin a story?

Where does a new design idea come from?

How is a book born, in this case, a picture book?

Naturally, everyone has their own path and working method, but I would like to tell you something about the creation process of my latest children’s book.

The Importance of the Sketchbook

In my case, new projects almost always originate within my sketchbook, from drawings—even random ones—that, when looked at again later, ignite an idea.

In the specific case of my latest picture book, “Ma che brutta giornata!” (What a Bad Day!), published by Edizioni Il Ciliegio, which you can see here, the idea was born from an illustration created right in my sketchbook during the pandemic, with the desire to represent the emotions and feelings experienced during that difficult period. No one could go out, not even my children. From there came the first illustration, dedicated precisely to the children sadly looking at the world outside the window without being able to leave.

Then I thought about what I would have done as a child if I had experienced the same situation.

For me, books have always been a refuge, so I certainly would have immersed myself in reading.

This gave rise to the desire to create this project: my personal tribute to the power of reading.

Thus, the two subsequent illustrations were created, also made during that period. The child protagonist of the picture book discovers a book in his room and, through imagination, fills his room with colorful creatures to play with. The book thus becomes a ‘magic portal’ that opens up to new adventures, even while staying locked indoors.

Subsequently, I expanded the initial idea by thinking about the fact that a book can be a refuge for a ‘bad day’ at any stage of our lives: sadness, boredom, anger…

How many times do children (including my youngest son) complain by saying: ‘Today is really a bad day’? When maybe they can’t go out to play because it’s raining, or they’ve argued with a friend, or Mom scolded them? Reading, then, can transport us to another imaginary and fantastic world where we can live wonderful adventures, let the sun into ‘our room’ and into our day, transforming it into a ‘beautiful day’.

Reference Images

And the illustrated room? Yes, I actually drew my son’s room. I drew it with only one blue colored pencil, to convey the idea of sadness and boredom; while the bright and saturated colors, used subsequently in contrast, were used to represent the ‘colors’ released from the book and the beginning of the fantastic adventure.

I did some image research to then represent various jungle settings and animals: I deliberately drew some of these only with an outline to convey the idea of the fantastical and imagined. At this point, these three illustrations remained dormant on the computer for 3 years, until I decided to complete the project. And in the end, they were not truly revolutionized or completely modified: the last one above was not actually included in the book.

Which Technique?

Many studies were done on the technique and style to be used.

These are some of the technical tests:

The Final Artwork Inserted in the Book

I must say that I really enjoy the phase of experimenting with various techniques, as I feel free to draw and paint without the fear of making mistakes.

The Character Study

Then I moved on to character design.

Defining the character from the start is also important for my working method, as I also wrote in this article.

The choice of his characteristics, emotions, clothing, and personality already defines part of the mood of the story.

As you can see from the image below, the protagonist transforms in appearance as he proceeds through his adventure (messy hair, torn clothes), precisely to represent his change, including emotionally, throughout the story: he becomes more ‘wild,’ freer, less composed, and happier.

The sketchbook is a fundamental working tool for me, as it is for many other artists.

Drawing, drawing, and drawing, even without having a specific story or concept in mind. It is through drawing that ideas then spring forth. Good or not so good; because, clearly, some will only remain within those pages.

🔎BEHIND THE SCENES: a look behind the pages of a picture book

If you want to see how I created the background for one of the picture book’s illustrations using the watercolor technique, watch the video on my YouTube channel: