Telling Your Story in Your Procreate Art (While Pleasing Publishers too)
Finding the balance between authenticity and professionalism
One of the most fascinating parts of working as a children’s book illustrator is finding that delicate balance between your creative voice and what publishers are looking for. It’s a bit like dancing — you lead with your individuality, but you’re also tuned in to the rhythm of the industry. And in the age of Procreate, where artists can experiment endlessly, it’s easier than ever to pour your personal story into your art — while still creating work that fits beautifully within the publishing world.
Your Story Matters
Every illustrator brings something unique to the table — a childhood memory, a cultural lens, a sense of humour, or a way of seeing the world that no one else quite has. That personal layer is what makes your work memorable. When you create in Procreate, you have the tools to shape those stories visually — from the textures you choose to the colours you lean toward and the expressions your characters wear.
When I draw, I often catch little hints of my own childhood slipping in — a certain way the trees bend, or how the light hits a backyard fence. Those moments are what connect your art to you. Publishers love seeing that kind of authenticity. It shows confidence and emotional awareness, and it’s what helps readers feel something genuine when they turn the page.
But Publishers Have a Vision Too
That said, publishers are also looking for cohesion, marketability, and stories that fit within their existing list. Sometimes that means adjusting your palette, simplifying your composition, or modifying a character design to better fit the author’s text or the target age group.
It’s not about compromise — it’s collaboration. When you work on a children’s book, you’re one part of a creative team that includes the author, editor, designer, and art director. Your art doesn’t have to shout your story — it just has to whisper it clearly through tone and emotion.
The best artists I know can bend their style to meet a brief while still keeping their voice intact. Their illustrations feel unmistakably them, even when they’re telling someone else’s story.
How I try to Blend Both Worlds
Procreate makes it easier to experiment and adapt while staying true to your instincts. Here are a few techniques I use to keep that balance between heart and professionalism:
Start with emotion. Before thinking about composition or lighting, I decide how the scene should feel. Is it joyful, lonely, curious? That emotional anchor keeps the storytelling honest, no matter the style.
Use your own references. Even when illustrating fiction, I’ll often sketch from my own surroundings or memories — an old tree, a favourite park, a toy I loved as a kid. It grounds the work in something personal.
Work in layers (literally and creatively). I often separate “expression layers” from “design layers” in Procreate — sketching emotional details first, then refining structure later.
Stay open to feedback. Art directors often spot things that help make your work more accessible to children. Rather than seeing changes as losing your voice, I try to see them as learning to communicate it more clearly.
Keep a personal project on the side. This might be the most important tip. Having a space — even a small one — to create just for yourself helps your professional work stay fresh and inspired.
When Your Work Reflects You, It Resonates
Publishers are drawn to illustrators who bring more than skill — I think they want to see a point of view. They want to know that when they hand you a manuscript, you’ll turn it into a living, breathing world. That spark comes from your story — your way of observing, interpreting, and celebrating what matters most to you.
So yes, please the publishers. Meet the brief. Deliver work that’s polished and professional. But never lose sight of your creative compass. Your personal story is the one thing that can’t be replicated — and it’s the reason your illustrations will find a home on the shelves, in classrooms, and in the hearts of young readers.
just tell stories
At its core, illustration is storytelling. Every brushstroke — whether made in Procreate or painted by hand — says something about how you see the world. The goal isn’t to make art that fits into publishing, but to make art that expands it, little by little, with honesty, imagination, and heart.
And when your work manages to touch a child’s imagination and make an editor smile? I think that’s the perfect balance.
Hey, there! I’m Jasmine Berry, a freelance illustrator based in sunny Perth, Western Australia. Most days you’ll find me sketching away on my iPad or surrounded by pencils and cats, chasing new ideas. I like to think of myself as eternally optimistic—always seeing the fun, the colour, and the possibility in every project I take on. Send me a message if you would like to collaborate on a project.