Graphic Novel Illustrator Needed for Exciting New Project
Project Overview
I’m developing an original standalone graphic novel titled Incog-Tito — a character-driven action/adventure story rooted in Filipino culture, community, and family. This is not a parody, not a meme comic, and not a generic superhero concept. It’s a cohesive, emotionally grounded story designed to exist as a single complete book.
I’m looking for a skilled comic book illustrator who places a high value on character consistency, visual clarity, and storytelling through sequential art. The story, tone, and worldbuilding are already established. The next step is locking a visual language that can be carried consistently across the entire graphic novel.
This posting is for a paid test engagement, with the goal of finding the right long-term collaborator for the full book.
Visual Style & Character Design Direction
Overall Style
Stylized and cartoon-forward
Chibi-inspired proportions, but not chibi
Clean, readable shapes with expressive faces
Not realistic, not anime, not manga
Important Clarification on Proportions
While the style draws inspiration from chibi-style readability (simplified forms, expressive heads, strong silhouettes), many characters will be more slender and proportionally varied based on who they are and what the story requires.
This is not a “super-deformed” comic.
You should be comfortable:
Designing characters with intentional proportion differences
Keeping faces expressive without exaggerating bodies uniformly
Maintaining consistency across:
Different poses
Different emotional states
Different panels and scenes
Once character designs are established, they must remain visually consistent throughout the book. Consistency is more important than rendering complexity.
Tone & Story Intent
Kid-friendly but emotionally honest
Warm, expressive, and character-first
Humor and heart over cynicism
Designed to be accessible to kids while emotionally resonating with parents
The art should always serve story clarity and emotional readability.
What I’m Looking For in an Illustrator
You are likely a great fit if you:
Have experience with sequential comic art, not just character portraits
Understand panel composition, pacing, and visual flow
Can maintain consistent character designs across multiple pages
Are comfortable iterating from:
Rough layouts → refined pages → final art
Take feedback well and enjoy collaborative refinement
Care about long-form storytelling and visual continuity
This is not a good fit if you:
Primarily rely on AI-generated artwork
Only work in anime/manga styles
Prefer loose, constantly changing character designs
Are looking for a quick, one-off illustration job
Scope of Initial Work (Paid Test Phase)
The initial phase will include:
Refinement of the Incog-Tito main character design
Illustration of 1–3 pages from the opening scene
Focus areas:
Character consistency
Proportion control
Facial expression clarity
Panel readability and flow
This phase exists specifically to confirm style alignment and consistency before moving forward.
Technical & Delivery Expectations
High-resolution artwork suitable for print
Layered files preferred (PSD, Clip Studio, etc.)
Clean linework and intentional color palettes
Ability to deliver:
Rough page layouts
Final illustrated pages
Clear communication and milestone check-ins
Long-Term Opportunity
If the test phase is successful, this will expand into:
Full illustration of the complete graphic novel
Dozens of pages of sequential art
A locked visual canon carried through the entire book
A creator who is organized, invested, and serious about printing a finished product
How to Apply
Please include:
Examples of sequential comic work (not just character art)
Examples showing consistent character design across multiple panels
A short note about your experience with long-form storytelling
Your preferred tools and workflow
To confirm you’ve read this fully, include the phrase “story first” somewhere in your proposal.
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