Illustrating a picture book is a creative, time-intensive process that involves far more than just drawing pretty images. Whether you’re an author-illustrator working on your own manuscript or hiring an illustrator for a self-published project, it’s natural to wonder: How long does this actually take? The answer depends on several factors, including the illustrator’s skill level, the complexity of the art, and the workflow. For a standard 32-page children’s book, you should expect anywhere from a few weeks to several months from start to finish. This post breaks down the time commitment based on different scenarios, outlines each phase of the process, and helps you decide when it’s time to bring in professional help.
1. Key Factors That Affect Illustration Time
The time it takes to illustrate a picture book varies widely depending on several key variables. Understanding these factors helps set realistic timelines and expectations, especially if you’re working on a publishing schedule.
1. Page Count and Complexity
Most picture books are 32 pages long, but not every page is illustrated in the same way. A book with full-spread illustrations on every page will take longer than one with spot illustrations or simple backgrounds. Detailed artwork with complex scenes, multiple characters, and dynamic perspectives requires more time.
2. Medium Used
- Digital illustration tends to be faster due to editing flexibility, layers, and easy duplication.
- Traditional media (like watercolor or ink) often takes longer due to drying time, scanning, and the lack of an undo button.
3. Artist Experience and Workflow
A professional illustrator with a streamlined process may finish a full book in 6–12 weeks. A beginner may take 4–6 months or more, especially if they’re juggling other responsibilities.
4. Number of Revisions
Revisions are a normal part of the process. Changes in character design, color palette, or layout can add days or weeks, depending on the feedback loop between author and illustrator.
5. Deadlines and Availability
If an illustrator is booked with other clients or working part-time, timelines naturally extend. Self-publishing authors who illustrate their own books often work around their primary job, which slows things down.
2. Typical Timelines for Different Illustration Scenarios
To better understand how long illustrating a picture book can take, it helps to look at common situations. Below are typical timeframes based on who’s doing the illustrating and under what circumstances:
Professional Illustrator (Full-Time)
A seasoned illustrator working full-time on a 32-page picture book typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to complete the full set of illustrations, including revisions. This timeline includes:
- 1–2 weeks for character design and storyboard thumbnails
- 4–6 weeks for full illustrations
- 1–2 weeks for revisions and formatting
Part-Time or Beginner Illustrator
An illustrator working part-time (or a beginner still building their process) may take 3 to 6 months. This longer timeline accounts for:
- Slower character development and visual consistency
- More back-and-forth during revisions
- Limited working hours due to other commitments
Author-Illustrator (Self-Publishing Solo)
If you’re writing and illustrating your own book—often in your spare time—you could spend 6 months to a year or more. That includes time for:
- Learning the tools
- Balancing both writing and illustrating
- Iterating on the visuals while managing formatting and layout
Whether you’re doing it yourself or working with a pro, these timelines help you plan ahead and avoid rushed deadlines—especially if you’re targeting a launch date or coordinating printing.
3. Step-by-Step Time Breakdown of the Process
Illustrating a picture book isn’t just about drawing page after page. Each phase in the process builds on the last — and skipping or rushing steps can lead to costly revisions or quality issues later. Here’s a realistic breakdown of how long each major step might take:
1. Character Design & Style Development (1–2 weeks)
Creating consistent, expressive characters is the foundation of your book’s visual identity. This step includes multiple sketches, facial expressions, and test poses to refine how characters will appear throughout the story.
2. Storyboarding & Pagination (1 week)
This is the visual map of your book — deciding which parts of the text go on which pages, what will be illustrated, and how the pacing flows. Rough thumbnail sketches are created for each spread.
3. Sketching Each Spread (2–4 weeks)
Once the layout is approved, the illustrator begins detailed sketches for every page or spread. For a 32-page book with 16–20 full illustrations, this can take several hours per spread.
4. Final Line Art and Inking (2–3 weeks)
Sketches are cleaned up with final linework, especially if the art style is ink-based. Clean outlines, consistent proportions, and prep for color all happen here.
5. Coloring and Rendering (2–4 weeks)
Coloring is often the most time-consuming step, especially if the book uses painterly or detailed styles. Each spread may take a day or more depending on style and complexity.
6. Revisions and Edits (1–2 weeks)
After a full round of illustrations, authors or publishers often request changes—whether to characters, colors, or small scene details. Building time for this is essential.
7. Formatting for Print (1 week)
Final images are placed into layout software (like InDesign or Affinity Publisher), text is added, and print-ready files are exported with correct trim, bleed, and resolution settings.
In total, you’re looking at 8–16 weeks of active work, not counting wait times or external delays. For self-illustrators, this may be stretched across months. If you’re on a deadline or need help with any of these phases, KidsBookArt.com (KidsBookArt LLC) can assist with illustration, design, and formatting.
4. How to Speed Up the Process Without Sacrificing Quality
While quality illustration takes time, there are ways to streamline the process without cutting corners. Whether you’re working solo or managing an illustrator, these tips can help you stay efficient while still producing professional results.
1. Start With a Solid Plan
Before any drawing begins, finalize your manuscript and paginate the text. Knowing exactly what needs to be illustrated and where it goes eliminates guesswork and prevents backtracking.
2. Batch Your Work
Group similar tasks together. For example, sketch all spreads before inking or color all backgrounds at once. Batching reduces mental switching and boosts consistency.
3. Reuse Visual Elements When Possible
Use the same character poses, props, or background settings across multiple pages when it makes sense. This doesn’t mean copy-pasting, but reusing key elements can save hours.
4. Choose an Art Style That’s Manageable
Highly detailed or textured illustrations look great but take longer. If time is limited, go for a clean, simplified style that still feels polished and expressive.
5. Use the Right Tools
Digital tools like Procreate, Photoshop, or Clip Studio Paint allow for quicker revisions and higher efficiency. Traditional methods are beautiful but harder to edit and slower to produce.
6. Limit Revisions by Getting Early Feedback
Get feedback at the storyboard or rough sketch stage to avoid reworking final art. Waiting until everything’s finished before asking for input is a common (and costly) mistake.
7. Hire Help for Specific Steps
If you’re stuck on formatting or layout, it might be faster and cheaper to outsource that portion. Services like KidsBookArt.com (KidsBookArt LLC) can handle file prep, cover design, or even illustration assistance so you stay on track.
5. When It’s Smarter to Hire Help
Illustrating a picture book can be rewarding, but it’s not always realistic to do it all yourself — especially if time, skill, or project scope becomes overwhelming. In many cases, hiring a professional illustrator or design team can save both time and money in the long run.
1. You’re Running Into Quality Issues
If your illustrations aren’t meeting your vision — or worse, they’re hurting the readability or appeal of your book — it may be time to outsource. Children’s books, in particular, rely heavily on strong visual storytelling.
2. You’re on a Deadline
Professional illustrators have systems in place to deliver on schedule. If you’re targeting a launch or submission date, hiring someone with a defined workflow can keep you on track.
3. You’re Not Confident With Design Software
From formatting spreads to setting up print-ready files, the technical side of publishing can slow you down. Professionals can handle color profiles, DPI, bleed, and trim — all without guesswork.
4. You Want to Focus on Writing or Marketing
You don’t have to do it all. Delegating the illustration or layout process frees you to work on editing, marketing, or launching your book — areas where your time may be better spent.
5. You Need Bookstore-Ready Results
If you want to compete with traditionally published books — or aim to sell in schools, libraries, or retail — polished visuals and print-ready files are essential.
For authors who want high-quality results without the stress, KidsBookArt.com (KidsBookArt LLC) offers tailored illustration and publishing support for children’s books. From full-book illustration to layout and file prep, their team helps ensure your book is both beautiful and professionally done.
Conclusion
Illustrating a picture book is a creative journey that requires time, patience, and careful planning. For a standard 32-page book, the timeline can range from 8 weeks to over 6 months, depending on complexity, artist experience, and how much of the work you’re doing yourself. Whether you’re an author-illustrator or hiring a professional, each step — from character design to final formatting — takes time to get right.
Rushing the illustration process can lead to inconsistent art, missed deadlines, or costly do-overs. On the other hand, being realistic about your time, using efficient workflows, and knowing when to get outside help can save you months of frustration.
If you need to speed things up without sacrificing quality — or if you simply want a professional touch — KidsBookArt.com (KidsBookArt LLC) is a reliable partner for self-publishing authors. They offer full-service illustration, layout, and formatting support to help you finish your book on time and at a professional standard.
In short: great art takes time, but it’s always worth it — especially when your story deserves to shine.