Assessing the self-employment possibilities for book illustrators in Ghana today

ABSTRACT It is possible for book illustrators to employ themselves, but it takes hard work, dedication, skill and professionalism on the part of the employees. This research basically aims at finding the ways and means by which illustrators can gain themselves a decent living from the profession in Ghana today. The opportunities are enormous and one can work hard to win awards. A profile of some selected illustrators can serve as an example to prospective self-employed illustrators. Response got. From discussions with certain publishing houses is relevant source of material for book illustrators in Ghana today. Upon consulting Art Directors it should be possible to secure employment if one is a good artist. Illustrators should be able to identify the media normally required by fishers and the type of books that need to be illustrated, how their works sell the rate at which they are commissioned, why Ghanaian books need and what they should do in order to gain employment. The earliest forms of illustration were prehistoric cave paintings. Before the invention of the printing press, illuminated manuscripts were hand illustrated. During the 15th century, books illustrated with woodcut illustrations became available. The main processes used for reproduction of illustrations during the 16th and 17th centuries were engraving and etching. Traditionally, engravers created darker areas by having thin lines intersect each other at high density, known as cross- hatching. One can specialize as book illustrator, fashion illustrator, freelance illustrator, medical illustrator, and map illustrator.