How to Illustrate a Humorous Picture Book!

How do you illustrate a humorous picture book?

The answer is, you need to find your inner clown…

Humour is very subjective and what is funny to some, other just hear crickets, so it’s really a personal thing.

I have been a HUGE life long fan of the Muppets and of Jim Henderson, he said  “It all ends in one of two ways: either someone gets eaten or something blows up.” 

I think that’s great advice, although not every book or illustration job lends itself to blowing something up, but you can use his example of extremes. For example like a Grandma parachuting, or something else that you might not see everyday, those are things that make me laugh.

I also like adding little details, that maybe at first are overlooked but the reader sees them the next time round.  You do need find a balance needed so you don’t distract from the story of the book.

A second story can also work, for example in Dandy and Dazza I added the second story of the battle the dogs have with the squirrel, those kind of little elements can add fun and engagement.