Do illustrators count as artists?
John Hall
Updated on March 31, 2026
While illustrators are considered artists, there are significant differences between the two, including the type of work they do and the tools they use. The general term ‘artist,’ can refer to a wide range of careers, including illustrators. Artists use art to communicate thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
Do publishers find illustrators?
Almost always: no. The editor who purchases your picture book manuscript or the art director at that publishing house will ultimately choose the illustrator. If you are a writer, you don’t want to illustrate your manuscript yourself unless you are a professional.
How much does a illustrator artist make?
How Much Do Illustrator Jobs Pay per Hour?
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $83,500 | $6,958 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 |
| Average | $57,297 | $4,774 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 |
Are illustrators considered authors?
“Writers will call an illustrated book ‘my book’, or newspapers will talk about ‘Julia Donaldson’s picture book’. To refer to writers and illustrators as ‘authors and illustrators’ is not comparing like for like. Both are ‘authors’ of the creative work—one author writes and the other author illustrates.”
What is the difference between a fine artist and an illustrator?
The illustrator communicates that message through the artwork. The fine artist on the other hand is searching and seeking some elusive idea, or thought, or meaning. It is a quest for understanding or truth. Questions are being asked in an effort to make sense of the world or of one’s self.
Do book illustrators get royalties?
If you’re the author or author/illustrator, you’ll get the full royalty rate. This is typically 10% but could be lower or higher depending on the publisher and negotiations. If you’re only the illustrator on the project, the royalties will be much smaller—if there are even any at all.
How much does an illustrator make per book?
Book illustrators typically earn between 5% and 10% of each book’s list price. Most books only have one print run, which means the royalties will often run out quite quickly, this is why it is important that the illustrator gets paid an ‘advance against royalties’.
Who is the highest paid illustrator?
Illustrators in New York earned by far the highest annual salaries among all U.S. illustrators, with salaries at $97,360, according to the BLS. California came in second with an average wage of $94,000.
Do authors and illustrators work together?
Illustrators are usually matched with authors by a publishing company. Sometimes, an author will choose an illustrator to work with, especially if they’ve worked the person before, but whether the author has published once or many times, it is usually the publisher who will pick an illustrator for a book.
What should I do if I want to be an illustrator?
Whether you want to pursue a career in book illustration, fine art, editorial illustration, or even drawing greeting cards, understanding your goals and honing your style to work toward them will help you give you focus. “It’s 100 percent intent,” illustrator and comic book artist Jen Bartel says.
What are the stages of an illustrator’s work?
There are various stages in an illustrator’s work flow that usually include: 1 discussing the client’s illustration and design needs 2 negotiating price and deadlines 3 developing a sample to go over with the client 4 producing the illustrations by the deadline More …
Which is the best way to become an artist?
Art school is a great way to do that, if you approach it properly, but it’s not the only way. I immersed myself in the parts of the craft I wasn’t so good at — composition and graphic design, typography, light and shadow — and then incorporated those new skills back into my comics work.
What kind of degree do book cover artists need?
Instead, aspiring book cover artists should concentrate on earning a degree in related fields. Some degrees that aspiring book artists may want to consider are an illustration, graphic design, photography, fine art, or desktop publishing degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not record salary data specifically for book cover artists.