Retro Cartoon Character Illustrator

A single, unforgettable lead character will carry my upcoming children’s book aimed at middle-grade readers (8–12). The art direction is firmly rooted in a vintage, slightly pulpy comic-strip aesthetic—think bold ink lines, limited yet punchy colours, and the playful exaggeration found in 1950s newspaper funnies rather than modern glossy animation.

Here is what the project calls for:

• A full-body character design that immediately reads as distinctive and era-appropriate.
• A small reference sheet with at least two additional poses or expressions so I can visualise how the character moves across a page spread.
• Final files supplied both as a high-resolution PNG (for quick mock-ups) and a layered, editable file—AI, PSD or Procreate—to slot straight into my layout workflow.

The character must be original work, ready for exclusive use in print and e-book editions. Feel free to draw on classic halftone textures, off-register colour quirks, or other period touches; just keep it fresh enough to charm today’s pre-teens.

I’ll share manuscript excerpts and scene descriptions once we start so you can capture the protagonist’s personality accurately. Looking forward to seeing how you bring a dash of retro flair to a new generation of readers.