I'm seeking a talented illustrator to bring my children's book to life

I'm seeking a talented illustrator to bring my children's book to life. Please note that while I can appreciate the AI illustrations, my aim is for a realistic/sketch illustrator. The book is aimed at children aged 6-8 and requires a blend of both realistic and sketch style illustrations. Key aspects of the project include: - Capturing the essence of village life in Africa through the illustrations - The book will require more than 20 unique illustrations - The book is square with the dimension of 8.5” x 8.5” - Illustration will have to be incorporated into book after completion - The ability to make the illustrations engaging and suitable for a young audience. Ideal candidates should possess: - Experience in illustrating for children's books - Proficiency in both realistic and sketch styles - Knowledge of African village lifestyle is a strong advantage - A strong portfolio of previous work in a similar style. Please provide examples of previous relevant work in your proposal. Looking forward to seeing your portfolios and discussing further. Here are some key points to consider in your illustration. Illustration should reflect mood of the story Illustration should extend text and not take away from it If color is used, please consider the effects of the color during reproduction and whether the color obscures or complements the lines of the drawing. Must use lines effectively, handle shapes successfully, is the perspective correct in the realistic sketch, mood, and intent of the story Texture must be given to the illustration Illustration must balance well in relation to the type area to achieve unity and focus Illustration must synchronize precisely with the text