Illustrator for Luxury Keepsake Storybook (Painterly Realism / Coastal Setting)
Project Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled illustrator to collaborate on the final visual development of a refined, coastal keepsake storybook.
This project is well underway, with a developed narrative, established visual direction, and a number of existing illustrations. We are now elevating the artistic standard and are looking for the right partner to bring the book to a cohesive, publishable level.
This is not a production or formatting-only role.
It requires artistic judgment, restraint, and the ability to work within an existing visual world while improving it.
⸻
About the Book
• Title: Sly, the Fox, Finds La Mer
• Series: La Mer Tales
• Style: Soft painterly realism (not cartoon)
• Setting: Coastal luxury resort environment
• Tone: Calm, observant, emotionally subtle
This is not a traditional children’s book—it is designed as a timeless illustrated keepsake for families and guests, blending storytelling with a refined hospitality experience.
The work should feel closer to a beautifully illustrated book found in a boutique hotel or curated retail setting—not a mass-market children’s title.
⸻
Scope of Work
1. Illustration Development & Refinement
• Refine and, where appropriate, re-illustrate select spreads to meet a higher visual standard
• Use existing illustrations as directional reference—not constraint
• Ensure Sly (the fox) remains:
• slender
• naturalistic
• consistent in scale and presence
• Elevate composition, lighting, and overall atmosphere
⸻
2. Visual Cohesion Across the Book
• Unify environments, tones, and transitions across all pages
• Ensure architectural and environmental consistency (coastal setting)
• Maintain a restrained, non-cartoon aesthetic
⸻
3. Selective Artistic Adjustments
Adjustments should be made with an illustrator’s eye—not mechanical editing:
• Composition refinement
• Environmental simplification or enhancement
• Object and material sensitivity (tones, textures, furnishings)
⸻
4. Collaboration Approach
• Work from existing materials while thoughtfully improving them
• Be receptive to direction while contributing strong visual judgment
• Balance efficiency with quality—we are moving quickly, but not carelessly
⸻
5. Final Deliverables
• Final, high-resolution illustrations (300 DPI minimum)
• Layered/source files (PSD or equivalent)
• Print-ready assets (book layout may be handled separately or collaboratively)
⸻
What We Are NOT Looking For
• Pure AI prompt operators without illustration fundamentals
• Cartoon or exaggerated styles
• Low-cost redraw or tracing approaches
• Rigid designers unable to adapt to an existing visual language
⸻
Required Experience
✔ Strong portfolio in painterly or semi-realistic illustration
✔ Ability to match and elevate an existing visual style
✔ Experience using AI tools as part of a broader creative workflow
✔ Understanding of composition, light, and environmental storytelling
⸻
Preferred
• Experience with books, editorial, or narrative sequencing
• Sensitivity to brand-driven work (hospitality, luxury, lifestyle)
• Interest in longer-term collaboration
⸻
Timeline
• Start: Immediate
• Initial alignment/sample: within a few days
• Project timeline: ~2–3 weeks depending on scope
We are working toward a near-term publication and value responsiveness.
⸻
Budget
• Flexible based on experience and approach
• Open to fixed or milestone-based structure
⸻
Long-Term Opportunity
This is the first in a series (La Mer Tales).
We are looking to establish a relationship with an illustrator who can support:
• Future books
• Ongoing visual refinement
• Consistent brand storytelling across formats
⸻
To Apply, Please Include
1. Portfolio (relevant painterly / refined work only)
2. Examples of AI-assisted workflows (if applicable)
3. Brief note on:
• how you approach working from existing visuals
• how you maintain consistency across a book
4. Your availability over the next 2–3 weeks
We are seeking a highly skilled illustrator to collaborate on the final visual development of a refined, coastal keepsake storybook.
This project is well underway, with a developed narrative, established visual direction, and a number of existing illustrations. We are now elevating the artistic standard and are looking for the right partner to bring the book to a cohesive, publishable level.
This is not a production or formatting-only role.
It requires artistic judgment, restraint, and the ability to work within an existing visual world while improving it.
⸻
About the Book
• Title: Sly, the Fox, Finds La Mer
• Series: La Mer Tales
• Style: Soft painterly realism (not cartoon)
• Setting: Coastal luxury resort environment
• Tone: Calm, observant, emotionally subtle
This is not a traditional children’s book—it is designed as a timeless illustrated keepsake for families and guests, blending storytelling with a refined hospitality experience.
The work should feel closer to a beautifully illustrated book found in a boutique hotel or curated retail setting—not a mass-market children’s title.
⸻
Scope of Work
1. Illustration Development & Refinement
• Refine and, where appropriate, re-illustrate select spreads to meet a higher visual standard
• Use existing illustrations as directional reference—not constraint
• Ensure Sly (the fox) remains:
• slender
• naturalistic
• consistent in scale and presence
• Elevate composition, lighting, and overall atmosphere
⸻
2. Visual Cohesion Across the Book
• Unify environments, tones, and transitions across all pages
• Ensure architectural and environmental consistency (coastal setting)
• Maintain a restrained, non-cartoon aesthetic
⸻
3. Selective Artistic Adjustments
Adjustments should be made with an illustrator’s eye—not mechanical editing:
• Composition refinement
• Environmental simplification or enhancement
• Object and material sensitivity (tones, textures, furnishings)
⸻
4. Collaboration Approach
• Work from existing materials while thoughtfully improving them
• Be receptive to direction while contributing strong visual judgment
• Balance efficiency with quality—we are moving quickly, but not carelessly
⸻
5. Final Deliverables
• Final, high-resolution illustrations (300 DPI minimum)
• Layered/source files (PSD or equivalent)
• Print-ready assets (book layout may be handled separately or collaboratively)
⸻
What We Are NOT Looking For
• Pure AI prompt operators without illustration fundamentals
• Cartoon or exaggerated styles
• Low-cost redraw or tracing approaches
• Rigid designers unable to adapt to an existing visual language
⸻
Required Experience
✔ Strong portfolio in painterly or semi-realistic illustration
✔ Ability to match and elevate an existing visual style
✔ Experience using AI tools as part of a broader creative workflow
✔ Understanding of composition, light, and environmental storytelling
⸻
Preferred
• Experience with books, editorial, or narrative sequencing
• Sensitivity to brand-driven work (hospitality, luxury, lifestyle)
• Interest in longer-term collaboration
⸻
Timeline
• Start: Immediate
• Initial alignment/sample: within a few days
• Project timeline: ~2–3 weeks depending on scope
We are working toward a near-term publication and value responsiveness.
⸻
Budget
• Flexible based on experience and approach
• Open to fixed or milestone-based structure
⸻
Long-Term Opportunity
This is the first in a series (La Mer Tales).
We are looking to establish a relationship with an illustrator who can support:
• Future books
• Ongoing visual refinement
• Consistent brand storytelling across formats
⸻
To Apply, Please Include
1. Portfolio (relevant painterly / refined work only)
2. Examples of AI-assisted workflows (if applicable)
3. Brief note on:
• how you approach working from existing visuals
• how you maintain consistency across a book
4. Your availability over the next 2–3 weeks