Children’s Book Illustration: Storytelling & Character Design Digital Art Lesson
Get ready to bring your imagination to life! In this creative adventure, we’ll explore the magic of stories, characters, and illustrations—using real illustrations and art examples from my own published books and works in progress. Whether you’re a student dreaming of creating your first character, a teacher guiding young artists, or a beginning illustrator just starting your journey, this lesson is for you! You’ll step into the roles of author, illustrator, and designer to invent your very own picture book character—then bring it to life using Procreate®, the professional digital art app used by illustrators around the world.
CRAFTED FOR ARTISTS
Procreate®
Why Procreate®? Artists choose Procreate® for its powerful and customizable brush engine, high-performance on iPad devices, versatile canvas options, user-friendly interface, extensive brush library, and a supportive community of artists. It offers time-lapse recording, robust layer management, diverse export options, regular updates, and portability.
Whether it’s a clever talking toaster, a shy dragon, or a dancing cactus in sneakers, you’ll dream it, draw it, and describe it! Using iPads and Procreate®, you’ll sketch and bring your character to life digitally. By the end of the week, your one-of-a-kind creation will shine in a gallery walk and an online showcase for everyone to enjoy. Let the Character Quest begin!
Day 1: Such a Character!
Human, Animal or Object?
Duration: 1 hour
Art TEKS: 117.111–117.114 (1A: Express ideas through original artworks using a variety of media with appropriate vocabulary)
ELAR TEKS: 3.6A, 4.6A, 5.6A (analyze literary elements including character traits and development)
Learning Objective: Students will identify how authors and illustrators create strong, memorable characters by analyzing story excerpts and visual details, then brainstorm and sketch original character ideas of their own.
Materials Needed: iPad with Procreate®, Apple pencil, Screen, document camera or projector
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing & Designing Ideas:
- Listen: Hear excerpts from diverse children’s books featuring human, animal, and object characters.
- Read: Follow along with illustrated passages to notice how characters are introduced and described.
- Write: Jot down character traits, feelings, and unique qualities you notice or imagine for your own character.
- Design: Sketch 3 quick thumbnail ideas for your original character (person, animal, or object) to explore different possibilities.
- Discuss: Share your favorite idea with a partner, explaining what makes it special.
Vocabulary
Character – A person, animal, or object in a story.
Backstory – The background and history that shape a character’s personality and actions.
Illustration – A drawing or image that helps tell a story.
Layer – A feature in Procreate that lets you separate parts of your artwork.
Clipping Mask – A tool in Procreate that keeps textures or colors inside a specific shape.
Setting – The time and place where a story or scene happens.
Personality Trait – A quality or characteristic that describes how a character thinks, feels, or acts.
Sketch – A quick drawing to plan or explore an idea.
Visual Storytelling – Telling a story through images, expressions, and design without using words.
DAY ONE
Demonstration of Learning
Students will write brief character notes, complete one thumbnail sketch, and verbally describe their character’s type, personality, and unique trait.
Human Characters Personality Traits
Students describe the character’s voice and actions. Adjectives: Is the character shy? Bossy? Silly? Smart? Brave? Ask: “What kind of kid is this?”
Animal Characters Creative Creatures
Emphasize how the animal’s real traits influence their character. (A fox is clever, a turtle is slow, a monkey is funny.) Ask: “What animal traits help tell this story?”
Object Characters A Thing with a Voice
Emphasize the fun of imagining a regular object with feelings. (What if a pencil was afraid of being sharpened?) Ask: “What would this object do if it could move, talk, or dream?”
Sketching in Procreate®
Now that you’ve imagined and planned your character, it’s time to bring it to life! We’re moving to Procreate on the iPads to start sketching. You’ll use layers, brushes, and digital tools to turn your ideas into a colorful, detailed illustration—just like real picture book artists! Let’s get creative and watch your character jump off the screen!
STEP 1
Create a New Canvas
Open Procreate®, tap the ‘+’ icon or go to the Gallery and choose “Create New Canvas”, select Paper. You can choose from various preset sizes or create a custom canvas.
STEP 2
Pick Brush & Settings
Tap on the brush icon in the top-right corner. “Sketching” + “6B Pencil”. You can customize the brush settings such as size, opacity, and color using the sliders on the side.
STEP 3
Zoom and Rotate
Pinch in and out to zoom in and out of your canvas. You can also use two fingers to rotate the canvas to get more comfortable angles for drawing.
STEP 4
Edit your Sketch
To erase part of your sketch, you can either use the eraser tool, switch your brush to eraser mode, or simply tap with two fingers to undo. To transform or resize your sketch, select the Transform tool by tapping the arrow icon.
STEP 5
Refine your Sketch
Messy sketch lines? No need to erase! Tap “+” to create a new layer over your sketch. Tap back on your original sketch layer, tap on “N” and reduce its opacity. Tap back on your new layer and trace a cleaner version of your original sketch.
STEP 6
Start Painting
Tap the “+” icon to create a new layer for your painting, then drag this layer below your final, cleaned-up sketch. Return to the sketch layer, tap “N,” and set the blending mode to “Multiply.” Then, lower the opacity of the sketch layer. Now, switch back to your newly created layer beneath the sketch and begin painting your masterpiece.
Tell Me About it!
⚡ Let’s take a moment to share ideas in 30 seconds! Turn to your partner and take turns talking about the characters we explored today and your own favorite sketch.
Partner A
Talk about one of the characters we read about today. What it stand out—was it their voice, shape, color, or personality?
Partner B
Now share which of your sketch ideas you like best so far and why. What makes your character different or fun?”
TURN & TALK
✓ Improve Communication
✓ Better Understanding
✓ Encourages Collaboration
Day 2: What’s Your Story?
A Story to Tell
Duration: 1 hour
Art TEKS: 117.111–117.114 (1B: Use appropriate vocabulary to evaluate and justify artistic decisions in original artworks)
ELAR TEKS: 3.10A, 4.10A, 5.10A (plan, draft, and develop ideas using details that develop characters and settings)
Learning Objective: Students will develop a written and visual backstory for their original character by identifying personality traits, motivations, setting, and challenges. They will use writing and sketching to shape who their character is and what makes them come alive on the page.
Materials Needed: iPad with Procreate®, Apple pencil, Screen, document camera or projector
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing & Designing Ideas:
- Review sketches from Day 1.
- Mini-lesson: “What is a backstory?” (Use fun examples like a pencil who dreams of writing a novel or a shy raccoon learning to cook.)
- Discuss setting, likes/dislikes, fears, and dreams.
- Guided writing: Fill out a short “Character Profile” worksheet with name, personality, favorite activity, problem they face, and where they live.
- Begin designing or refining sketches with visual clues that match their character’s traits and backstory (e.g., messy hair for a wild inventor, patches on a well-loved teddy bear).
- Share in pairs or small groups: “Tell me about your character!”
DAY TWO
Demonstration of Learning
Students will complete and share a short character profile that includes their character’s name, personality traits, setting, and a simple problem or goal. Add color, textures and details in Procreate® using layers and clipping mask.
Color, Textures & Details
Layers & Clipping Mask. In Procreate®, layers help keep your artwork organized and flexible. Using layers allow artists to have a non-destructive approach while creating art digitally.
COLOR YOUR SKETCH:
Start by adding a new layer, use the Monoline Brush from the Calligraphy set to outline a shape and then drag and drop your desired color to fill it in.
You can also color the same areas in with different brushes and use the most traditional way of applying color to your shapes.
ADD TEXTURE:
Next, to add texture and details, create another layer above your color layer, tap it, and select “Clipping Mask.” This makes sure anything you draw stays only within the shape of the color layer. Use soft brushes, textures, or patterns to add shadows, highlights, or fun effects—without ever going outside the lines!
Fun Fact
DIGITAL ART IN THE CLASSROOM
Creating children’s book illustrations with digital art tools like Procreate® helps students combine storytelling with technology—boosting both their creativity and 21st-century skills in one fun lesson!
Day 3: Places and Spaces
Designing Settings, Backgrounds, Lighting & Shadows
Duration: 1 hour
Art TEKS: 117.111–117.114 (2A: Integrate design concepts to produce original artworks including emphasis on background, middle ground, and foreground)
ELAR TEKS: 3.7B, 4.7B, 5.7B (describe and explain the influence of setting on plot and character development)
Learning Objective: Students will design the setting for their original character by identifying key visual and environmental details. They will create background illustrations using Procreate®, focusing on how lighting, shadows, and scenery can reflect and support the character’s story.
Materials Needed: iPad with Procreate®, Apple pencil, Screen, document camera or projector
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing & Designing Ideas:
- Review character profiles from Day 2.
- Mini-lesson: “How setting helps tell the story” using examples from children’s books (e.g., forest, city, desert, underwater).
- Guided sketching: Students draw a simple setting that fits their character’s personality and backstory.
- Add lighting direction and basic shadows to help place the character in space.
- Discuss background, middle ground, and foreground in illustration.
- Procreate Demo: Using layers to separate character and background, adding light and shadow for depth.
- Students begin digital setting design using brushes, textures, and layer tools.
DAY THREE
Demonstration of Learning
Students will describe their character’s setting in writing using vivid details, then share it aloud with a partner to explain how it connects to their character’s personality or story. Create a background illustration in Procreate® using lighting and shadows, and reflects the mood or environment their character lives in.
Day 4: Judging a Book by its Cover
Designing Book Covers, Fonts & Catchy Visual Elements
Duration: 1 hour
Art TEKS: 117.111–117.114 (2C: Create designs for practical applications including posters, book covers, and digital media)
ELAR TEKS: 3.11A, 4.11A, 5.11A (compose literary texts including imaginative stories that include interesting characters, setting, and plot)
Learning Objective: Students will design a book cover for their original character’s story, incorporating fonts, titles, and visual elements that reflect the personality and setting of their character. They will explore how strong visual design and wording can capture attention and tell a story at a glance.
Materials Needed: iPad with Procreate®, Apple pencil, Screen, document camera or projector
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing & Designing Ideas:
- Quick review: What makes a book cover stand out?
- Mini-lesson: Analyze real book covers—discuss title, font, imagery, and placement.
- “Judge a Book by Its Cover” activity: Students choose a favorite book and explain how the cover reflects the story inside.
- Students write a short, catchy title for their own story.
- Brainstorm and sketch: Design ideas for their own book cover, including character, setting, and title.
- Procreate Demo: Using layers to add a title, choose playful or dramatic fonts, and position character and setting art for strong visual impact.
- Begin digital book cover design in Procreate®.
DAY FOUR
Demonstration of Learning
Students will write a catchy title for their original story and create a fully designed digital book cover in Procreate® that includes their character, setting, and font choice. They will present their cover to a partner or small group, explaining how their design choices reflect the mood, theme, and personality of their story.
Day 5: Showcase and Share
Gallery Walk, Presentations, Debate & Art Critique
Duration: 1 hour
Art TEKS: 117.111–117.114 (3A: Analyze and evaluate artistic work using appropriate vocabulary)
ELAR TEKS: 3.15A, 4.15A, 5.15A (engage in discussions to express ideas and listen to others)
Learning Objective: Students will present their original characters, settings, and book covers in a gallery walk, using art critique vocabulary to give and receive constructive feedback. They will practice speaking and listening skills through presentations and a friendly debate about what makes a strong, memorable character and cover design.
Materials Needed: iPad with Procreate®, Apple pencil, Screen, document camera or projector
Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing & Designing Ideas:
- Set up a classroom gallery walk displaying each student’s digital artwork and written descriptions (printed or projected).
- Students prepare a brief presentation about their character and cover design, focusing on their creative choices.
- Partner or small group “art critique” sessions: Using positive, specific language to discuss strengths and offer suggestions.
- Whole-class debate or discussion: “What makes a book character and cover unforgettable?”
- Reflective writing: Students write a short paragraph about what they learned from others and how they might improve their own work.
DAY FIVE
Demonstration of Learning
Students will present their character and book cover designs during a gallery walk, clearly explaining their creative choices. They will give and receive constructive feedback using art critique language and write a brief reflection on what they learned from their peers.
Art is a Journey
Remember, art is a journey—not a race—and every drawing you create is a step forward. Your style will grow and change as you explore new ideas, practice new techniques, and take creative chances. Don’t worry about being perfect—focus on being you. Stay curious, keep sketching, and enjoy the adventure of discovering your voice as an artist. Your journey has just begun!
Meet the Mischievous Monster You’ll Love to Blame!
What happens when crayons go missing, homework gets crumpled, and crumbs mysteriously appear? In the book, the culprit is clear—it’s the mischievous little monster that Ana Beatriz Huerta dreamed up and I, her dad, had the honor of illustrating. This book isn’t just about entertainment—it’s also an incredible resource for English Language Arts teachers and parents. The “After Reading” English Language Arts and Visual Arts enrichment activities at the end of the book are valuable tools for teachers and parents, offering proven resources to inspire creativity and develop critical thinking in children. Get Behind the Book »
Available Now!
“The Monster I Blamed for EVERYTHING”, 8.5×8.5″, 32 Pages. © Ana Beatriz Huerta, All Rights Reserved
“Ooh-Ooh-Ah-Ah!”
What Does it Really Mean?
“Monkey’s Wild Lunch” is a funny children’s picture book written and illustrated by J.J. Huerta — a bilingual and visual arts teacher with over 25 years of experience. What starts as a simple banana lunch quickly turns into a wild mix of misunderstandings, and just the right dose of drama! Perfect for story time, giggle time, or any time you need a gentle reminder that kind words can make all the difference. The book includes English Language Arts and Visual Arts enrichment activities! Behind the Book »
Available Now!
“Monkey’s Wild Lunch” 8.5×8.5″, 32 Pages. © J.J.Huerta, All Rights Reserved. Available now in Amazon.com & Barnes & Noble
When I started my own art journey, I didn’t know exactly where it would take me—but I knew I loved to draw, imagine, and tell stories. Over time, I explored different styles, filled sketchbooks, and even created characters that became part of real books! I made mistakes, tried new tools, and kept going—because art isn’t about being perfect, it’s about growing. Now I get to share what I’ve learned with you, and I’m still learning every day!
ARTIST & EDUCATOR
J.J.HUERTA
281.734.3753
[email protected]
I’m a Houston-based artist and illustrator with a BA in Art who loves coffee, all-things dogs, and world-traveling adventures—as long as I can get to carry an iPad with Procreate in my backpack! With 25+ years of experience as an Art Teacher in the United States, I enjoy both: bringing creativity to life with fun art lessons and crafting colorful illustrations for children’s picture books.
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