Nathan Shelton
Hello and welcome to my website. I am Nathan Shelton, a professional illustrator for over 20 years (since 2000). I have spent that time illustrating for a vast array of different clients on a whole variety of projects. My business name in that field of illustration and design is Ant Creations and if you’re interested you can visit my other website to check out the work.
I’ve had a lifelong interest in children’s book illustration and that’s the purpose of this website. I’ve worked on several children’s books starting back in 2019 and I’d love for more of my day-to-day work to be spent illustrating new wonderful, magical and inspiring books for kids.
Goals
Goal number one was to illustrate a children’s book. That happened back in 2021 when I worked alongside the wonderful author Lyndon Jeremiah to create what we feel is a unique kid’s book called ‘Four Small Boys from Wales’. Using the same illustrations we also created a Welsh version titled ‘Pedwar Bachgen Bach o Gymru’. I have a small number available here if you’d like a personalised copy, or you can buy as many as you want from www.jeremiahpublishing.co.uk
My future goals are to continue illustrating more exciting children’s books, so if you have a project that you’d like to discuss please feel free to get in touch for a chat. I am currently working on another book with Lyndon called ‘Gallant St George and the Dragon of Wales’. This one is around halfway done and we’re aiming to launch the new book in the Autumn.
I also have another goal to actually write and obviously illustrate my very own children’s books. I’ve finished writing one and I’m also working on another. I’m working on the illustrations for my first book called ‘Fridge Monster’ and I plan on sending that out into the world soon. If you know any friendly publishers who are open for submissions let me know :)
My latest children’s book
I’m currently illustrating the latest children’s book called ‘Gallant St George and the Dragon of Wales’ by Lyndon Jeremiah. A fun story of heroism and adventure with an underlying message of understanding and friendship.
The artwork consists of thirteen double-page illustrations and a cover. It’s a fun story of heroism and adventure with an underlying message of understanding and friendship. It’ll also be available in Welsh and we’re aiming to launch the new book in the Autumn.
Check out how I’m getting on with the project here.
My first children’s book
I illustrated my very first children’s book Four Small Boys From Wales by Lyndon Jeremiah back in 2021. The artwork consists of ten double-page illustrations, fourteen single-page illustrations, and the cover. Phew! It took several months to complete, but I was very happy with the quality and finish of the final book.
It’s also available in Welsh (Pedwar Bachgen Bach O Gymru) and is available to buy right now from the Jeremiah Publishing website by clicking here. However, I do actually have a small number of copies myself if you’d like to buy one directly from me. I’ll even write a personalised message or pop a quick sketch in there for you if you like :) Contact me if you want to discuss details.
See the project in more detail, including all final illustrations, sketches and some videos here.
Writing my first children’s book
Writing your first children’s book must be the hardest, right? Maybe not, but it certainly isn’t easy. There are sooooo many children’s books out there. I’ve read hundreds to my kids over the years, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface. The competition is fierce, and unless you’re a celebrity, it seems the chances of your book being a success are slim at best.
But, I don’t care, I’ve got the ideas inside me and the overwhelming urge to get them out, so, I’m writing and illustrating one anyway. Hopefully more than one (but let’s not get ahead of ourselves).
Check out how I’m getting on with the project here.
Do you need a children’s book illustrator?
Need an illustrator?
I’ve been a professional illustrator since 2000 and a children’s book illustrator since 2019.
I loved books when I was a kid, and since having children of my own, I’ve read hundreds of books (and sometimes one book hundreds of times!). I always wanted to illustrate children’s books, but if you have any knowledge or experience on the subject you will know that it’s a BIG project to work on from start to finish. The children’s book market is very competitive and kids’ books are definitely not in short supply.
Over the years I’ve been approached many times, mainly by people who’ve written a manuscript and now looking for an illustrator to bring their words to life. If this is you then please take a look at an advice page I created to help you on your journey ‘How to hire a children’s book illustrator’
There’s a heck of a lot that goes into a children’s book, and it can be a pretty major project for both author and illustrator. From experience, it seems that budget largely dictates whether a book actually gets published. Who is paying and how much of a budget they have is obviously one of the main factors in deciding whether a book can get published and how well it does in the market. There’s a lot to it, so read my advice page for more in-depth information and the answers to a whole load of questions you’re sure to have.
I love to work on a diverse range of children’s books so please feel free to get in touch for a casual chat with no obligations.
