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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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Preferred
• Experience with books, editorial, or narrative sequencing
• Sensitivity to brand-driven work (hospitality, luxury, lifestyle)
• Interest in longer-term collaboration

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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.

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Budget
• Flexible based on experience and approach
• Open to fixed or milestone-based structure

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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

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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