How Long Does It Take to Illustrate a Children’s Book? (And Why It’s Worth the Wait)
By Kezzia Crossley
If you’ve finished your manuscript and are ready to bring it to life, you might be wondering: How long does illustration actually take? The answer: longer than most people expect—but for good reason.
A Realistic Timeline
For a standard 32-page picture book, a typical illustration process takes anywhere from 2 to 6 months, sometimes less, sometimes longer depending on the illustrator’s style, availability, and workflow.
Here’s why:
1. Character & Style Development (2–4 weeks)
Before the first page is ever sketched, your illustrator needs to develop a consistent visual language. This includes character design, color palette, and layout style. This stage ensures the book will feel cohesive from beginning to end.
2. Sketching & Layouts (4–6 weeks)
Each spread is carefully planned through rough sketches, which are often reviewed and revised with your input. This stage sets the foundation for pacing, composition, and how the story will visually flow.
3. Final Illustrations (6–12+ weeks)
This is the most time-consuming part—and the most magical. Each illustration is refined, colored, and polished to professional quality. Depending on the level of detail, this can take several days per page.
4. Revisions, Formatting & Final Prep (2–4 weeks)
After the artwork is complete, there may be revisions, layout adjustments, and file prep for printing or digital platforms. If your illustrator is also handling book design, this step may take longer but ensures everything is print-ready.
Why the Wait is Worth It
Children’s book illustration is both an art and a craft. Whether you're publishing in Canada or anywhere in North America, rushing the process can lead to inconsistencies, technical errors, or visuals that don’t do your story justice.
When you give your illustrator the time they need, your story gets the love and detail it deserves—and your readers will feel that on every page.
Based in Canada, The Painted Acorn offers illustration and book design services for children’s authors across North America—bringing stories to life with care and creativity.
Ready to bring your story to life?
Whether you need full illustrations or start-to-finish publishing support, The Painted Acorn offers handcrafted visuals with heart.
📬 Get in touch today to start your journey.
Kezzia Crossley is a Canadian illustrator and independent publishing partner behind The Painted Acorn. She helps self-publishing children’s book authors bring their stories to life with heartfelt illustrations, thoughtful layout, and handcrafted book design. Learn more at thepaintedacorn.ca