Ask The Illustrator.
A Special Edition Post Answering Your Questions!
Outside of my work in publishing, I teach animation and art classes for college and professional enrichment programs. I often get asked how someone can start a career in illustration. And recently, at a school visit at my niece's school, the students came up with some great questions.
That inspired me to create a fun post about the illustrator's world! I asked on social media for your questions. So, here's a special post just for you, answering everything you've been curious about! Enjoy!
🎙️: Did you always know you wanted to be an artist when you grew up?
I’m a really active kid and can’t sit still for too long. But I love drawing. It’s the only thing that can keep me focused and quiet for a while. It’s kind of funny, though - I never wanted to be an artist when I was little. I actually dreamed of becoming a rocket scientist! I was super into reading science books and comic biographies about different scientists. I thought I wanted to go into science all the way through high school. But then, I got nudged toward art because my schools and teachers thought it would be a better fit for me. LOL
🎙️: Do you study art in college? How do you become an illustrator?
I didn’t go to art school. I actually majored in film and animation. Top is a little short film I made back when I was a student at UCLA.
After I graduated, I worked in animation for more than ten years. During that time, I kept painting and drawing for fun and got involved in local art shows and fairs. It wasn’t until later in my career that I figured out I wanted to be an illustrator, especially after I learned about children's book publishing. That really sparked my interest!
🎙️: You illustrate for board books, picture books, and graphic novels. What are the differences and similarities when it comes to working on a picture book compared to a graphic novel?
One of the biggest differences between board books, picture books, and graphic novels is their length, which really affects the art style and how the story is told visually. With shorter formats like board books and picture books, there’s a lot more room to play around with fine art and painterly techniques. I really enjoy using traditional mediums for these kinds of books.
On the flip side, graphic novels are much longer and larger, which makes the whole production process way more labor-intensive. Sure, you can create a graphic novel with traditional mediums - like I did with Marshmallow and Jordan.
You can click here to read a previous post where I talk about how I hand-painted 384 pages of the Marshmallow and Jordan graphic novel with watercolor. 😬
Hand-painting a graphic novel is fun while it last, but it’s not sustainable if I want to keep making more books without losing quality or taking forever.
For my new graphic novels after Marshmallow and Jordan, I’ve switched to digital painting. This way, I can keep up the quality without making the production timeline too crazy.
🎙️: When applying for an agent or illustration work, did you find it better to showcase a range of styles or stick to one?
When it comes to submissions, quality definitely takes the lead over quantity! A key tip for applying to agents or looking for work is to prioritize quality over everything else. Always pick the pieces that shine and truly reflect your unique voice and style as an artist.
If you have a variety of styles, that’s fantastic - feel free to include the best examples from each one! Remember, each artist has their own personality and approach. Some might focus on perfecting a single style, and that’s totally fine too! So, select and showcase what you love and feel comfortable with, highlighting the very best of your work.
🎨 More portfolio submission tips in my previous post - 5 Tips for Creating an Amazing Art Portfolio!
On-location paintings at Green Gulch Farm, San Francisco
🎙️: Where and how do you find inspiration?
I get a lot of my inspiration from the little things in everyday life, the stories of people and animals around me, and the books I read. When it comes to painting and illustration, I feel like nature is my best teacher! I love watching how colors change at different times of the day and in various weather conditions and seasons. That’s why I enjoy plein air painting so much - there’s just something magical about learning from nature when it comes to color and lighting!
🎙️: What's your fave art medium and what's your most challenging?? Oh.. and why!?
Watercolor is definitely my favorite art medium! I love how versatile and dynamic it is. It’s great for quick sketches when I’m out and about because it’s super easy to take with me. Plus, I can whip up really nice pieces for books, gallery shows, and comics. And it mixes well with other mediums, which is a big bonus!
On the flip side, oil paint is the trickiest for me. It really tests my patience since it takes forever to dry between layers. One time, I tried to throw together a tiny oil painting for a show. I got a bit too antsy waiting for it to dry and thought I’d speed things up by putting it next to the fireplace. After about an hour, the whole house smelled like burnt grease, and the paint bubbled up like a sad over-roasted s’more! It was a mess!
After that disaster, I still needed to meet my deadline, so I just repainted the same piece in watercolor and sent it off.
Oil paints also take up a ton of space. I really dig the look and texture of oil, but it can be such a struggle. I know part of it is that I haven’t spent enough time and patience to really get into oil painting. But one day, I hope to step up my skills and actually enjoy the process!
🎙️: Do you have a favorite artist that inspires you?
There are a ton of artists and illustrators I really like, but Hayao Miyazaki is the one who got me into watercolor. I self taught watercolor from studying his storyboards and concept art. His watercolor technique is super straightforward and easy to pick up, yet it’s still really expressive and lively. It’s perfect for anyone just starting out. I love how he can tell such rich stories with just a few lines and one or two layers of paint.
John Singer Sargent's watercolors have really helped me get a better grasp on color and lighting. I talked a lot about him in my recent post - How to Develop a Personal Color Palette.
Woo! I have to shout out Anders Zorn. His watercolor work is absolutely insane! He’s one of those artists who really keeps me inspired to push myself and get better.
This is one of my favorite Zorn watercolors, and it’s just CRAZY! I used to think it looked amazing in photos because they were smaller, but when I saw the original at the museum, I was completely blown away. I couldn’t believe my eyes - I literally just stood there in awe. It was unbelievable how someone could paint something like that in watercolor; it looked like it was done in oil!
🎙️: What advice would you give to aspiring artists and illustrators?
If you love to draw and paint, just keep at it! Check out your favorite artists and their work, and draw from everyday life or your imagination. The more you practice and try new things, the faster you'll improve. It’s totally okay not to make perfect art - have fun, step out of your comfort zone and explore.
Learning the basics, like anatomy, composition, and lighting, is also a great idea. Knowing these foundational techniques will help you find your style, whether you lean toward realism, abstract art, or a more cartoonish vibe. Once you understand the rules, you'll feel more confident about breaking them or invent something new!
🎙️: Do you offer school visits or host any fun art workshops or programs?
Yes, I love sharing my creative process. I do both online and in-person school visits. You can learn more about my school visit information here:
https://alinachau.com/school-visits-1
Or you can reach out to me via chat:
🎙️: We’d love to see more of your illustrations. Do you sell art prints or original paintings as well?
You can explore and purchase my artwork in my online gallery store.
As a special thank you for being a first-time customer, I'm offering you 15% off your purchase! Just use the coupon code: Happy2025 at checkout.
If you liked this post and want to see more similiar post in the future, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to share your questions or suggestions in the comments below!
