Why Every Illustrator Portfolio Needs a Stand-Out Character (Yes, Even Yours)

When you’re thinking about our favourite stories as a child, we often think about the narrative, the themes, perhaps a particular quote that stood out, but the most memorable elements are always the characters. The reason the characters always stay in our minds is because they are the gateway to the narrative, and all of the emotions which come with each story. The characters are responsible for acting out the words and the emotions, which in turn allow the reader to feel every part of the story. For this reason, when thinking about characters from an illustrative point of view, it’s so important that they have an impact, and connect with the reader right from the very beginning. Because, in the ever-evolving world of children’s publishing, styles come and go, trends shift, and technology changes how we work, yet through it all, one thing has remained constant:

Great characters win the shelf.

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