Looking for a professional book illustrator?

Meet the illustrators behind your favorite books

Whether you’re working on a children’s book or looking for a cover image for your novel, a professional illustrator is the difference-maker between a book that blends into the rest of the crowd and a beloved title that endures throughout time. 

On Reedsy, meet illustrators who work with major publishers and indie authors alike to bring characters to life. Our illustrators have experience working on covers, spot use, and full-page spreads.

Carl M.

Available to hire

Experienced creative professional with a diverse journey in the art world. From painterly color to B/W, let's bring your project to life!

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Rachel S.

Available to hire

Fine artist turned illustrator. Using a blend of paint + graphics to design books. Confession: I buy books by their covers!

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Mallette B.

Available to hire

Visual storyteller specializing in book cover illustrations for young adult and middle-grade fantasy.

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Gene M.

Available to hire

Full-service design studio specializing in cover art and branding for indie authors and independent publishers.

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Alejandro C.

Available to hire

Award-Winning Illustrator / Book Cover Artist focused on fantasy, horror and historical. Since 2003 working for major Publishers worldwide.

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How to find an illustrator for your book

You’ll find the most in-demand illustrators in publishing on Reedsy. To shortlist the illustrators with artistic styles you’d love for your own book, sign up first and browse their portfolios. 

Assemble your team

Request quotes from up to 5 professionals in your genre with a free Reedsy account.

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Tips for a successful collaboration

To streamline your search for an illustrator and get drawings you love, follow these tips.

1. Narrow your search by genre and/or style. If you want an illustrated cover for a book that falls into a distinct genre (thriller, romance, etc.), look for a book illustrator who’s worked in that genre before. They’ll be able to strike the right balance between what readers expect to see and the unique design elements that will characterize your book.
2. Know what type of illustrations you want. Do you only want an illustrated cover, or are you looking for interior illustrations as well? If you need multiple illustrations, how many? How detailed would you like them to be? Establishing a clear project scope will help you find the right person to tackle the task.
3. Look for illustrators in your price range. Once you have a shortlist of illustrators, you’re ready to think about cost. On Reedsy, you can request quotes from up to five professionals at a time to compare. Be honest about your budget, but don’t rule anyone out just because they “look expensive.” It’s always worth requesting a quote to find out their rate.
4. Hire your dream illustrator, and keep communicating! Illustrating a book is a collaborative process. Particularly for long-term projects like picture books, you’ll definitely want to stay in touch and ask for updates. All illustrators will be happy to share their progress, so you’ll be able to offer feedback to ensure their creative vision remains aligned with yours.

If your creative vision is still hazy, take a look at these breathtaking illustrations to get a sense of what’s possible!

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