Editorial spot illustration
Quarter page and spot art for magazines and newsletters, sketch then final.
Illustrating since 2013
Drawings that carry the story
Editorial spots, book covers, picture books and packaging illustration in gouache and digital. Editorial turnarounds as short as 48 hours, with licensing spelled out before we start.
12 yrsfreelance
9picture books illustrated
48 hrseditorial rush possible
400+editorial pieces
Illustration work
Editorial, publishing, packaging and lettering
All quotes state the usage, the term and the territory in plain language.
Full page or spread
Feature illustration for print and digital publications, two sketch options included.
Book cover
Cover art developed with the art director, including a wrap and spine treatment.
Picture book, full interior
Thirty two page interiors including character development and dummy stage.
Packaging illustration
Label and box artwork built to dieline, supplied as layered print ready files.
Hand lettering
Custom lettering and titles, drawn rather than typeset, vector delivery.
About Owen
Gouache first, then the screen
I paint in gouache and finish digitally, which gives the work a texture that survives being printed small. Twelve years freelance across editorial, publishing and packaging means I am comfortable with tight deadlines, art director notes and the reality that a cover changes four times. I quote usage clearly, so nobody discovers a licensing surprise two years later.
•Sketches before final art on every project, always
•Usage, term and territory written into every quote
•Two revision rounds included at sketch stage
Reviews
From art directors
“Sketches on Tuesday, final on Thursday, exactly on brief. We have run him in four consecutive issues.”
Priya D., Magazine art director
“The character work in the dummy stage is what sold the book to our acquisitions team.”
Ellen R., Children's book editor
FAQ
Commissioning illustration
How does illustration licensing work?
You license the use rather than buying the drawing outright. A quote states the media, the term and the territory, for example North American print and digital for one year. Broader or perpetual rights cost more and I will price both so you can choose.
What is your turnaround?
Editorial spots can be done in 48 to 72 hours when the schedule allows. Covers typically take two to three weeks including sketch rounds, and a full picture book interior runs four to seven months.
How many sketches do I get?
Two sketch directions for editorial pieces and three for covers, plus two rounds of revisions at sketch stage. Changes after final art begins are billable, which is why the sketch stage is where we get it right.
Do you work with self published authors?
Yes, regularly. Picture book interiors are a serious investment, so I usually suggest starting with a cover and a sample spread to make sure the style is right before committing to thirty two pages.
Contact
Check my calendar
Send the brief, the deadline and the intended usage. I reply with availability and a quote inside one business day.
Phone(827) 555-0127
AddressStudio visits by appointment, Pine Street, Burlington, Vermont
HoursMon to Fri 9am to 5pm Eastern