$50 Paid Illustration Test: Character & Page Layout Sample (Audition for 5-Book Series)

🎨 JOB POSTING: Paid $50 Test Sample — Children's Book Illustrator (5-Book Series Opportunity) Title: $50 Paid Illustration Test: Character & Page Layout Sample (Audition for 5-Book Series) Project Overview: I am looking for a talented digital illustrator to partner with on an upcoming 5-book children's picture book series (24 pages per book, 8.5" x 8.5" square format). Before awarding the full $5,000 series contract ($1,000 per book), I am conducting a $50 Paid Test Sample to evaluate artistic style, communication, and technical set-up. The artist selected from this test will be hired for Book 1 immediately, with the remaining 4 books contracted upon successful completion! Series Timeline: Book 1 is allocated 8–12 weeks for initial character creation and layout setup, followed by a steady cadence of 5 weeks per book for Books 2 through 5. 🎨 Art Style & Visual Direction: Style: Whimsical, warm, and imaginative with lively, expressive characters suitable for children ages 3–7. Think soft textures, inviting environments, and a magical, playful feel. Text Space: All page layouts must intentionally incorporate clean, uncluttered "open space" for text placement. 📩 $50 Test Deliverables (Turnaround: 2–3 Days) For this test, you will be provided a brief scene description and character prompt to create: 1 Main Character Concept: Full-color, fully rendered sample of the lead character in your signature whimsical style. 1 Rough Page Layout Sketch: A quick composition sketch featuring a loose color wash / color blocking (background tints and key element colors) so we can evaluate composition, text spacing, and early color palette direction. Required Technical Specs for Test Deliverables: Master Layered Working File: Layered .PSD (Photoshop) file with background and character elements on separate layers (compatible with Canva; no Apple-exclusive formats). Isolated Character Asset: .PNG with a transparent background. Page Canvas Size: 2625px × 2625px at 300 DPI (8.5" x 8.5" page size + 0.125" print bleed). 💼 Full Series Details (For the Selected Artist) Contract Value: $1,000 per book ($5,000 total across 5 books), paid out in 4 structured milestones per book (Character/Marketing Assets → Storyboards/Color Washes → Line Art → Final Color). Scope: Artwork ONLY (No typography or text placement required). Legal Terms: Work-for-Hire / Full Rights Transfer upon payment. Signed NDA required. Social media and portfolio sharing restricted until official book publication or author consent. 📥 How to Apply Please reply with: A link to your portfolio or 3–5 examples of your children's book illustrations (ideally showing a whimsical style). Confirmation that you can deliver layered .PSD working files. Confirmation that you can complete the $50 paid test within 2–3 days. Confirmation that you agree to sign an NDA for the test and full project. Confirmation that you are interested in taking on a full 5-book series contract if selected, adhering to the timeline of 8–12 weeks for Book 1 and 5 weeks per book for Books 2–5.