Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about commissioning, working with, and getting in touch with children's book illustrator Gunja Bhatt. If you cannot find the answer to your question here, please get in touch directly via Amy Milligan at Illo Agency or through the contact form below.

About Gunja Bhatt

Who is Gunja Bhatt?
Gunja Bhatt is a UK based children's book illustrator specialising in picture books, chapter books, middle grade fiction, and non-fiction illustration. FAB Prize 2025 Highly Recommended, she works with traditional media — including watercolours, soft pastels, inks, and gouache — combined with digital techniques to create vibrant, expressive, and culturally rooted illustrations that children return to again and again. She is represented by Amy Milligan at Illo Agency for picture book and chapter book illustration enquiries.

What types of children's book illustration does Gunja Bhatt specialise in?
Gunja specialises in the full range of children's book illustration including:

✦ Picture book illustration — full colour spreads, spot illustrations, vignettes and cover art for children aged 0–8

✦ Chapter book illustration — black and white and limited colour illustrations for children aged 6–12

✦ Middle grade fiction illustration — emotionally expressive character and scene illustration for children aged 8–12

✦ Non-fiction children's book illustration — clear, engaging, visually rich illustration for educational and non-fiction titles

✦ Book cover illustration and design — standalone cover commissions for picture books, chapter books, and middle grade fiction

✦ Character design — full character line-ups, expression sheets, and turnarounds for series, franchises, and licensing

Has Gunja Bhatt worked with publishers before?
Yes — Gunja has worked with some of the most respected names in UK children's publishing through the prestigious Pathways into Children's Publishing programme run by Pop-Up Org, London. Publishers she has worked with include Nosy Crow, Bloomsbury, Happy Yak, Mundoazul Books, Penguin Random House, and Walker Books. She also illustrated the children's book Always Here written by Kristin Loudon in 2021. She is currently developing two original picture book dummies — Hush Little Dragon and No More Little — available for publisher consideration now.

Who represents Gunja Bhatt?
Gunja Bhatt is represented by Amy Milligan at Illo Agency for picture book and chapter book illustration enquiries. Publishers, editors, and art directors are warmly invited to get in touch via Amy directly at amy@illoagency.com or via the Illo Agency website at illo.agency/gunja-bhatt Authors and independent commissioners are welcome to get in touch directly via the contact form on this website.

Commissioning & Working With Gunja

How do I commission Gunja Bhatt for a children's book illustration project?
If you are a publisher, editor, or art director, the best route is through Amy Milligan at Illo Agency — she handles all picture book and chapter book illustration enquiries on Gunja's behalf. If you are an author or independent commissioner, you are welcome to get in touch directly via the contact form on this website. In your initial message it is helpful to include a brief outline of your project, the type of illustration needed, your anticipated timeline, and any budget parameters you can share.

What information do you need to provide a quote? To provide an accurate quote for your project Gunja will need to know: ✦ The type of project — picture book, chapter book, cover, character design etc. ✦ The number and type of illustrations required — full spreads, spot illustrations, vignettes, black and white etc. ✦ Your anticipated timeline and delivery deadline ✦ The intended publisher, print run, and territory of publication ✦ Any specific brief, character descriptions, or manuscript you can share at this stage The more detail you can provide upfront, the more accurately and quickly a quote can be prepared for you.

What does Gunja Bhatt's illustration process look like from brief to final artwork? Gunja follows a clear, collaborative, and fully transparent process across every project:

Stage 1 — Brief and research. Gunja reads and researches the manuscript or brief thoroughly before a single sketch is made, ensuring a deep understanding of the story, characters, and emotional tone.

Stage 2 — Thumbnail sketches. Multiple rough thumbnail options are developed and shared with the publisher or author, giving a clear view of the creative directions available before committing to any single approach.

Stage 3 — Rough layouts. The approved thumbnail direction is developed into full rough layouts showing composition, character placement, and visual storytelling across the full spread or illustration.

Stage 4 — Line art. Final line art is produced — either traditionally with ink on paper or digitally depending on the project requirements — and shared for approval before colour is applied.

Stage 5 — Colour and final artwork. Final colour is applied and the illustration is refined to delivery standard. Files are supplied in the format and resolution required by the publisher.

At every stage Gunja communicates clearly and promptly — no surprises, no disappearing for weeks, and no sudden changes to the agreed direction without discussion.

How long does a children's book illustration project typically take?
Timelines vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project. As a general guide:
✦ Picture book (32 pages, full colour) — typically 4 to 6 months from approved brief to final artwork delivery
✦ Chapter book (spot illustrations and black and white spreads) — typically 2 to 4 months depending on the number of illustrations
✦ Cover illustration — typically 4 to 6 weeks from approved brief to final artwork
✦ Character design — typically 2 to 4 weeks for a full character line-up with expression sheet
These are indicative timelines and will be confirmed and agreed in writing at the start of every project. Rush timelines may be possible depending on availability — please ask when enquiring.

Does Gunja Bhatt work traditionally, digitally, or both?
Gunja works with both traditional and digital media and regularly combines the two for maximum flexibility and quality. Her primary traditional media include watercolours, soft pastels, inks, gouache, and mixed media. She uses Procreate on iPad and Clip Studio Paint for digital work and finishing. Many of her illustrations begin as traditional artwork — hand drawn and painted — before being scanned and refined digitally, giving the work a genuine handmade warmth and texture while maintaining the colour consistency and reproduction quality that publishers require.

Can Gunja illustrate diverse and culturally specific stories?
Absolutely — and this is one of the areas Gunja feels most strongly about. As an illustrator of Indian heritage based in the UK, Gunja brings a genuine, lived understanding of diverse and multicultural stories, characters, and settings. She has developed illustration work rooted in Asian culture and traditions and is deeply committed to creating children's books that reflect the full, wonderful diversity of the children who read them. Publishers and authors working on diverse, inclusive, and culturally specific projects are especially warmly invited to get in touch.

Does Gunja Bhatt take on author-illustrator projects?
Yes — Gunja is actively developing her own original picture book dummies as an author-illustrator. She currently has two complete dummies available for publisher consideration:
✦ Hush Little Dragon — a whimsical bedtime picture book for children aged 3–6, full of fire-breathing giggles and a secret lullaby only the reader can hear
✦ No More Little — a contemporary reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood exploring how children navigate the digital world.
Publishers and agents interested in either project are warmly invited to get in touch via Amy Milligan at Illo Agency.

Rights, Usage & Practical Details

What rights are included in a standard illustration commission?
Rights and licensing are discussed and agreed on a project by project basis and are confirmed in writing in the project contract before work begins. Standard commissions typically include the rights necessary for the agreed publication — print run, territory, and format. All rights discussions for publisher commissions are handled by Amy Milligan at Illo Agency. For independent or author commissions please raise rights requirements in your initial enquiry so they can be factored into the quote.

Does Gunja Bhatt retain the original artwork?
For traditionally produced illustrations, Gunja retains ownership of the original physical artwork unless a separate agreement for purchase of originals is made. Digital files are supplied to the publisher or commissioner as agreed. Please raise any questions about original artwork at the enquiry stage.

Is Gunja Bhatt available for school visits, events, and workshops?
Yes — Gunja loves connecting with children, educators, and creative communities through workshops and events. She runs Creative Oasis workshops and is available for school visits, book launches, illustration workshops, and creative events. Please visit the Creative Oasis page on this website or get in touch directly for availability and details.

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Ready to discuss your project? Publishers and editors — please get in touch via Amy Milligan at Illo Agency. Authors and independent commissioners — please use the contact form . I would love to hear about your project. You can Get In Touch via email.