Process for completing children's book illustration, graphic novel and comic book projects

When it comes to working on a clients children’s book illustration, graphic novel or comic book project. I take the following steps to complete their projects professional.

Step 1: I secure a 50% down deposit from the client to get the project started at our first meeting. After doing and artwork brief with them to gather all relevant information needed to complete their project. I then go back to my office/studio to read over the clients manuscript several times to get an understanding of the story, main plot and characters. I then break the manuscript into pages.

Step 2: I start doing character design sketches for the clients projects. Once I am done. I arrange to have another meeting with the client so they are able to review the character designs. Sometimes they want changes but usually. They approve of the character designs I did for their project. Once they approve. I then move on to the next step.

Step 3: I then sketch storyboards of each scene according to the clients script. The storyboards helps me to envision how the final product will look. Once the storyboards are completed. I arrange a meeting with the client to have them review and approve the storyboards.

Step 4: Once the storyboards are approved. I then begin to pencil sketch the final scenes according to the script and storyboards. Once the final pencil sketches are complete. I then meet with the client to have them review and approve the pencil sketches.

Step 5: Once the pencil sketches are approved. I then begin to ink the final pencil sketches. Once the inking is complete. I schedule another meeting with the client to have them review and approve the inking.

Step 6: Once the inking is approved. I then move on to the final process. I then take the final inked artwork. Scan them into either Adobe Photoshop cc or Adobe Illustrator cc to add color to the final inked artworks. Once they are complete. I arrange a final meeting with the client. I show them the final colored art work for their approval. Once they approve of it. They pay the remaining balance due and I deliver the final colored artwork to them in all the appropriate files. Sometimes for an extra fee. I go to staples to print out the final mock book to give them an idea of how the final product will look. I then hand them the final invoice, along with a thank you letter and five business cards so they are able to spread the word of my business.