Bringing an Illustrated Novel to Life: Behind the Creative Process
Introduction
Creating an illustrated novel is a massive undertaking — weaving words and images into a seamless story that feels alive. Over the years, I’ve developed a process that combines both traditional and digital methods, with one constant tool at the heart of it: my drawing tablet.
That process led me to publish my first and second full-length illustrated novels, Naiya and the Foxdragon (2020) as well as Anira and the Spirit of Magic (2025). In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I approached each stage of creating an illustrated novel — and sharing tips you can use if you’re dreaming up your own.
Writing
You might not think of writing as a “visual” step, but for me, it always begins with imagery. When I outline a story, I don’t just list bullet points. I sketch character arcs, map their journeys, and use digital index cards to track key moments.
Working visually helps me cut through the overwhelm of a blank page. For my illustrated novels, I sketched out not just timelines, but also places and relationships — things that would eventually become anchors for my worldbuilding.
Tip: If writing feels daunting, lean on your strengths. Sketch, diagram, or storyboard your ideas. Drafting is messy by nature, but visuals can make the process feel playful instead of intimidating.
Thumbnails & Worldbuilding
Once the writing has a foundation, I move into sketching thumbnails and visual worldbuilding. This is where characters gain clothing, landscapes take shape, and color palettes begin to emerge.
I create rough page layouts by pairing draft text with quick sketches. This lets me see the rhythm of the book before I ever commit to a full painting. One of my favorite techniques is creating a color comp for the entire book — charting the mood and palette chapter by chapter, much like filmmakers do.
Tip: Treat this stage as your playground. Try out clothing, locations, and props. Experiment with palettes. This is where your world starts to feel real.
Illustrations
Every illustration begins as a sketch, often in Photoshop, even if it will later be painted traditionally. Roughly two-thirds of my time goes into this preliminary stage: compiling references, refining linework, and ensuring the visuals support the narrative.
Once sketches are solid, I’ll either finish them digitally or print them for watercolor and gouache painting. Everything eventually comes back into Photoshop for color correction and final polish — consistency across dozens of pieces is key to making the book feel cohesive.
Travel has become part of my process too. A smaller tablet allows me to sketch and refine pages while on location, pulling inspiration directly from the landscapes that influence my stories.
Tip: Develop a formula for your illustrations. Once you know the look and feel of your book, stick to it. Consistency saves time and creates a stronger reading experience.
Layout & Design
The design stage often looks messy at first — just like the writing and illustration stages. Draft layouts help me juggle text and images, experiment with pacing, and decide how spreads will flow.
I often study other books for inspiration. Page size, white space, and type choices all inform how a reader experiences the story. Tools like InDesign make this easier, but I also go back into Photoshop to resize or adjust illustrations so everything fits seamlessly.
Tip: Visit your local library or bookstore and pay attention to layouts. Which books feel immersive? Which feel cluttered? Let those observations guide your design.
Additional Media
In today’s publishing world, illustrated novels don’t end with the final page. I create book trailers, animations, and other promotional materials to help launch new projects. Video editing and animation add another layer of storytelling and give readers something to connect with before they even hold the book.
Tip: Think beyond the book. A simple animation, cover reveal, or trailer can help your story reach new audiences and build excitement before launch.
Wrap-Up
Bringing an illustrated novel to life is equal parts writing, sketching, painting, and design — but for me, the throughline is always visualization. Whether outlining character arcs or refining a book layout, working visually keeps me inspired and moving forward.
I hope this behind-the-scenes look at my process helps you on your own creative journey. If you’re curious about how this translates into finished work, you can check out my illustrated novels Naiya and the Foxdragon and Anira and the Spirit of Magic and follow along as I continue building out this world in future books.
