An illustrator is an artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. The illustration may be intended to clarify complicated concepts or objects that are difficult to describe textually, which is the reason illustrations are often found in children's books.[1]

Illustrations have been used in advertisements, architectural rendering, greeting cards, posters, books, graphic novels, storyboards, manuals, business, magazines, shirts greeting cards, video games and newspapers (comics section, or political cartoons) etc..

See some examples of Mrs. Mayville's favorite illustrators here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cRwC8_fr2b_7Zb3YXmZXnhGK0z6qEHtI-9hcv_74lOg/pub

BEGIN THINKING ABOUT:

Choose your style (realistic, cartoon, simple, etc.)
Choose your art materials (color pencils, Sharpie, ink & watercolor, collage, computer, mixed media)
How are you going to use the page? (borders, circle, 2 page spread)
Practice, practice, practice sketches then final

NEXT

Look at books, find inspiration, and figure out what style you like and want to try to do for your story.

Websites that share well known illustrators:

http://www.childrensillustrators.com/

http://www.scbwi.org/illustrator-gallery/

http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it/en/bologna-illustrators-exhibition/1032.html

http://www.directoryofillustration.com/

Some of my favorite illustrators:

Il Sung Na

Kevin Henkes

Quentin Blake

How do you stop the ink running when you add watercolour?

“I use waterproof ink: a brand called 'Higgins Black Magic'. Then I can add the watercolour afterwards without the lines getting smudged. Sometimes I use ordinary, non-waterproof inks, perhaps because they come in different colours, or because I'd like the line to be a bit blurry.”