AI Book Illustrations

The difference between “a set of images” and a picture book is consistency. This guide shows how to keep characters, palette, lighting, and composition aligned so every page feels part of the same world.

Core principles

• Lock a character reference (face, outfit, colors).
• Pick one art style and reuse the exact wording on every page.
• Plan camera distance and lighting before generating images.

Building a visual language

Readers—especially young ones—develop expectations fast. If page one uses warm side‑lighting and a muted palette, switching to stark overhead lighting and neon colors on page two feels like a new universe. Decide on a primary palette (e.g., warm oranges/teals) and a secondary palette (soft neutrals) and stick with them. Use the same shadows and time‑of‑day cues so the story flows from spread to spread without distraction.

Compositions that read at a glance

Kids scan images quickly. Favor clear silhouettes, simple backgrounds behind the focal point, and strong directional lines (pathways, tree branches, beams of light) that guide the eye to your hero. Alternate wide shots for discovery with close‑ups for feelings. A reliable rhythm is: wide → medium → close → wide to land the scene.

Iteration without drift

When changing a render, adjust one variable at a time: pose, background, or lighting. Keep character and style phrases identical. Save the best take and move forward; a finished book beats an endlessly tweaked spread. If one page refuses to match, reduce detail and reintroduce elements gradually—simple shapes tend to harmonize better across a series.

Export without surprises

Render at 300 DPI for your trim size, include bleed when needed, and test layout on plain paper before ordering a bound copy.