Digital vs Traditional Illustration: What To Sketch With?

Hey everyone!

One of the most common questions I get asked is "Do you sketch digitally or on paper?", and my answer usually surprises people: both.

I've never been the kind of illustrator who picks one method and sticks to it. Instead, I let the story guide me. Sometimes that means grabbing my iPad, sometimes it's reaching for a soft pencil and brush, and often it's switching between the two as the project evolves.

Today I want to walk you through exactly how I make that choice, using a recent project as an example.

How a recent project began

A few months ago, I started working on a children's book that perfectly demonstrates my approach.

It kicked off with a video call with the author. We spent time trading ideas back and forth, getting excited about the characters, discussing the tone and feel of the story. By the end of that call, we both had a clear vision of where we were heading.

That's when I hung up and started sketching.

Why I started with traditional sketching

For this project, I knew I needed to start on paper.

Paper is brilliant for quick, free-flowing ideas. There's something about the physical act of sketching by hand that helps me think more loosely. I don't overthink it - I just let the ideas flow.

So I reached for my favourite traditional sketching tools:

a soft pencil and a paintbrush dipped in coffee.

Yes, coffee.

I start with a gentle pencil sketch to map out the composition, then layer in coffee using a paintbrush to add warm, soft tones. It gives the illustrations a cosy, organic feel that's hard to achieve any other way. There's something special about using such an everyday, humble material to create something beautiful.

Traditional sketching at this stage gave me exactly what I needed: freedom and spontaneity.

When I switched to digital

Once I had those initial sketches down, I switched to my iPad.

The iPad is perfect for refining and organising sketches more cleanly. I could easily adjust proportions, move elements around, and keep everything tidy enough to share with the client without confusion.

Digital tools gave me the flexibility to organise everything clearly, and revisions were quick and painless. No starting from scratch, no wasting materials.

Once the storyboards were approved, all of the final illustrations were done digitally on my iPad. That's where the detailed work happened - the expressions, the colours, the polished compositions.

Using both methods gave me the best of both worlds: the spontaneity of traditional sketching combined with the precision and efficiency of digital tools.

How I decide which style to use

Beyond choosing the tools themselves, another important decision I make is whether a project needs a more textured approach or a cleaner, bolder style.

This choice often comes down to the child's age, attention span, and reading context.

Soft, whimsical styles work beautifully for stories that are being read to children or read by confident readers. These illustrations invite imagination and encourage children to savour the details and nuances of the story. There's room for children to linger on the page.

Bold, simple styles are designed with younger children in mind. They work best when clarity and immediate recognition are needed. This approach helps early readers focus on words and meaning without distraction.

Choosing between these approaches isn't about one being better than the other. It's about understanding what serves the story and the reader best.

My favourite sketching tools

Since we're talking about how to illustrate a children's book, let me share the specific tools I reach for most often:

For traditional sketching:

●       Soft pencils for gentle, flowing lines

●       A paintbrush and coffee for warm, organic tones

●       Quality paper that can handle a bit of moisture

For digital work:

●       iPad with Apple Pencil for everything from storyboards to final illustrations

The tools themselves matter, but what's more important is understanding what each one can do and when to use it.

Why I'll never choose sides

I've never felt the need to be a purist about traditional versus digital methods, and that flexibility has made me a better illustrator.

Some projects genuinely need the warmth and texture of traditional media. Others need the precision and efficiency of digital tools. And most projects benefit from a thoughtful combination of both.

What matters isn't which method you use. It's whether you're making choices that serve the story and create the best possible experience for the child reading the book.

If you're an aspiring illustrator feeling confused about which direction to go, here's my advice: don't choose. Learn both. Get comfortable with both. Let each project teach you which approach works best for that particular story.

The more tools and methods you have in your creative toolkit, the more solutions you'll have when challenges arise. And in children's book illustration, where every story is different and every audience has unique needs, that versatility is incredibly valuable.

What this means if you're creating a children's book

If you're an author wondering what to look for in an illustrator, look for someone who asks thoughtful questions about your story and your audience. Look for someone who can explain their creative choices and adapt their approach to suit your specific needs.

That's where the real magic happens - when the method serves the story, not the other way around.

Ready to bring your story to life?

If you're working on a children's book and looking for an illustrator who understands when to use traditional warmth and when to use digital precision, I'd love to chat with you.

Whether your story needs soft, textured illustrations or bold, clean visuals - or a thoughtful blend of both - I'm here to help bring your vision to life.

Sending love, Ellie x