How to write perfect illustration briefs when commissioning illustrators

A guide for first timers.

Have you authored a children’s book? Are you looking for a special illustrator to match the style of your story? Perhaps you’re looking to commission an artist privately, for something you’d like to have in your home or workplace.

As illustrators' agents, we receive a great deal of enquiries for this particular area, and whilst we understand most people are generally interested in the bottom line, and what the job will cost, in order for us to provide you with an accurate quote there is a series of information we require to do so. In addition, having this guide will provide everyone working on the project with clarity and understanding, which is vital when communicating creatively.

The following questions, although pertinent to publishing clients, are similar to those required for most illustration briefs.

How to write perfect illustration briefs when commissioning illustrators

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Illustration portfolio advice: 7 things agents look out for in an illustration portfolio

Illustrators and animators eventually reach a point of curiosity about agency representation. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, applying to agencies for inclusion on their roster can be a daunting task. At Illustration Ltd, we receive an extremely high volume of requests for representation from artists all around the world, and our success stems from a careful method of selection.

Here’s 7 simple tips to help you stand out from this rather large crowd.

7 things agents look out for in an illustration portfolio

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Dave Hopkins’ Drawings take a trip to the Palace

Dave Hopkins drew a number of portraits to be printed on deck chairs for Historic Royal Palaces to celebrate Hampton Court Palace’s 500^th Anniversary, taking place this year.

The portraits include Bradley Wiggins, Grand Duchess Xenia, Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Lady Baden Powell and Paddington Bear – all of whom have been linked to the Palace in the past.

Dave Hopkins is represented by Phosphor Art

Alex T. Smith: Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion – Just Published

Alex T. Smith's fantastic new picture book, Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion is published this month by Scholastic Children's Books. Alex artfully brings a new, cheeky little twist to the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale, setting his charming story in Africa with gorgeous hot colours and introducing a greedy lion to replace the cunning wolf. Our plucky heroine, Little Red, is a fearless little girl who won't let a lion get between her and curing her Auntie Rosie from a mysterious rash!

This 'riotous romp of a story' was Fiona Noble's 'Editor's Choice for the Month' in The Bookseller (20th February, 2015). She goes on to say:

“Little Red is not a girl to be messed with…. The spreads of her travelling to her auntie’s house are a particular joy: dashing, creeping and wiggling (with her trusty goat sidekick) past a glorious menagerie of giraffes, crocodiles, monkeys and more. There are quirky details to spot and savour, all decorated in a vivid palette of red and gold. Smith’s sense of mischief is everywhere, with moments of pure, joyful silliness…. As the parent of a six-year-old I have a strict standard of merit for picture books: does it still delight on the 10th re-reading? A resounding yes!”

Alex T. Smith is represented by Arena Illustration. 

Pimm’s bottle artwork by Paul Thurlby

With the launch of a special edition of Pimm’s this summer, Mother London asked Paul Thurlby to create artwork for the new bottle.

The flavour in question was Strawberry (with a hint of mint), which along with the British countryside, Paul used as his inspiration for his illustrations. Twenty signed prints were also created for the campaign, which will be given away to promote the launch.

Paul Thurlby is represented by Handsome Frank

Handsome Frank branding & stationery

We’ve been working on our new stationery here at HF towers, something that’s always a tricky thing to do – stock samples, pantone chips, brand identity. It’s a dizzying task. It all began with some clever illustrated portraits of HF staff Tom, Jon and Stuart, created by Jean Jullien. These were then handed over to master-of-design George Bradshaw, who worked them into business card designs, which utilises the Circular typeface by Lineto. GF Smith Colorplan Cool Grey was the stock of choice, which was printed by the good folk at Darwin Press. Patrick Bateman eat your heart out.

Jean Jullien is represented by Handsome Frank

Simon Bartram: Bob and Barry: Curse of the Werefleas

Simon Bartram's Bob and Barry's Lunar Adventures continue in Curse of the Werefleas, published this month by Templar.

A big, hairy asteroid clips the moon and it take Bob and his dog, Barry, ages to clear up the itchy dust. Next morning Bob finds the itching is worse, and he has a strange hunger for  - meat! Under a microscope all becomes clear, the dust was actually thousands of WEREFLEAS, travelling across the galaxy, turning planets and asteroids into hairy, scary, werewolf -infested places with their cursed bite! Can Bob save the Moon from the same fate, especially if he's feeling hair-raisingly unusual himself? Fortunately, Barry is there to help him, canine-to-canine!

Simon Bartram is represented by Arena

Dan Funderburgh for Guinness Africa

Dan Funderburgh worked with AMV BBDO on this striking 'Made of Black' campaign for Guinness Africa. Dan created the patterns to incorporate the iconic Guinness harp emblem which were then used as the backdrop to portraits by artist by Steve Caldwell. The images depict young creative talent from Africa: Eva Alordiah, Phyno and Olamide

Dan Funderburgh is represented by Debut Art

Meadows and Woodland

Darwin Holiday Parks commission James Grover to put his art on the walls of their Piran Meadows site near Newquay.

Meadows and woodland were the inspiration for James, he also included some references to the sea too with Newquay's position on the Cornwall coast. James says "It was completely drawn in acrylic pens, with the background colour done in emulsion."

Yasmeen Ismail wins V&A Best Book Illustration Award 2014!

The Victoria & Albert Illustration Awards celebrate the best illustration published over the last year, from both seasoned and junior illustrators. Not only is the V&A one of the most prestigious and notorious institutions in the world, it is also a long standing pillar of creative influence for artists.

Therefore Bright are proud to announce that our very own Yasmeen Ismail has won the V&A Best Book Illustration 2014 for her timeless ‘Time For Bed Fred!’.

Original artwork from the best illustrated book, book cover, editorial illustration and student illustrator of the year are recognised at the V&A illustration awards and the three published categories were judged by Art Director for the Telegraph, Gary Cochran, Art Director for Profile Books, Peter Dyer and V&A Director of Design Moira Gemmill.  The Prize is £2000 for each category, plus an additional £2000 for the illustrator who is chosen as overall winner. Yasmeen is one of only 3 illustrators to have been handpicked from hundreds of potential nominees,

Book Illustration Shortlist

Yasmeen Ismail – Time For Bed, Fred (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Benjamin Parker – The Little General (Jaimimage Publishing)

Finn Dean – Brave New World (Folio Society)

Yasmeen’s beautifully inky drawings have earned her a place amongst the creative elite of the publishing industry and Bright are incredibly proud to support her and her exciting future endeavours! This year is a busy busy busy year for our Yasmeen – a Waterstones nomination under her belt, 2 books coming out this Summer AND finishing/starting an array of exciting picture books for 2015 release.

Yasmeen Ismail is represented Bright Agency