“Bought it the second it dropped—love the author’s style.”
— Reader Pluto

“Even non-artists treat it like a coffee-table art book.”
— Reader Shui Yin

“Super practical. Mu Nan is self-taught and shares every hard-won lesson—from baby steps to pro tricks—in a way that just clicks. Total beginner? You’ll level up fast.”
— Die Yu

★ From total newbie to paid illustrator—skip the detours!
+ A hands-on watercolor course: 18 guided projects
+ a rookie-to-pro playbook: 10 real-world Q&As

★ Every demo is a deep-dive masterclass
Skill ladder: plants → facial features → busts → half-figures → full figures
Styles on tap: fresh botanical, story-book whimsy, vintage romance, Chinese historical
Deliverables you’ll actually sell: planner stickers, custom avatars, full-cover illustrations

This book uses fresh, fairy tale, Chinese historical style and other styles as examples to teach readers how to create different types of illustrations such as theme stickers, avatars, book covers, and illustrations. The case includes theme analysis, conceptual process, line drawing, and detailed graphic and textual steps.
In addition, in terms of the profession of illustrator, practical experience in areas such as "how beginners can improve themselves", "how to manage themselves", "how to quote", "how to communicate with clients", "how to sign contracts and protect copyrights" will be shared in the form of Q&A.

The book is divided into the following main sections:
-Tool introduction: including pigments, watercolor paper, paintbrushes, other tools, etc.
-Basic Techniques of Watercolor: Combining the characteristics of watercolor, introduce the changes in color and brushstrokes, and share common watercolor techniques and small ideas.
-Provide detailed step-by-step displays for different types of content, arranged in order of difficulty. Start with simple flower, fruit, and dessert designs, followed by portrait techniques and the integration of characters with different elements.
-Watercolor style breakdown: fresh style, retro style, fairy tale style, introducing style differences and providing targeted creative ideas.
-Ancient style figure illustrations: A separate chapter provides painting examples and explanations.

Mu Nan is a full-time watercolor illustrator whose delicate, versatile style has graced book covers, sticker sets, short comics, and art tutorials. Early work appeared in YiLin·English, Children’s Literature, YueHui, and HuaXiaZi. Selected career mileposts:
• 2017 – short comic in anthology Wilde Not Fairy Tales
• 2018 – cover art for the Maeve Binchy novel series
• 2020 – debut art book Floating Thoughts
• 2021 – contributor to sketchbook OC on Paper
• 2022 – monthly cover artist for Children’s Literature
She regularly partners with stationery brands to design washi tape and other lifestyle goods.

Chapter 1 Meet My Tool Squad
Paints 2
Watercolor Paper 2
Brushes 3
Other Handy Gear 3
Chapter 2 Watercolor Basics
How Watercolor Behaves 6
Reading Color 7
Brush Marks That Speak 8
Go-To Techniques 9
Tiny Tricks, Big Wins 11
Chapter 3 Start Simple
Q1 How can a beginner level up fast? 14
Juicy Berries 16
Hydrangea Bouquet 21
Floral Stationery 28
Dessert in a Cup (key take-aways) 35
Chapter 4 Let’s Draw People
Q2 How do I “brand” myself as an illustrator? 38
Q3 Is the freelance life really free? 39
1 Features—eyes, nose, mouth, ears 40
2 Girl Portrait—Curly-Haired Girl 48
3 Boy Bust—White-Rose Teen (walk-through) 55
4 Girl Full-Figure—Spring Bike Ride (creative brief) 56
Chapter 5 Mixing Characters & Props
1 Themed Stickers—Christmas 60
2 Avatar—Fairy-Tale Sweethearts (creative brief) 80
Chapter 6 Style Lab
Q4 What makes watercolor styles different? 84
1 Fresh & Airy—Green Hollow Path 86
2 Vintage Glam—Butterfly Lady (creative brief) 107
3 Story-Book Magic—Swan Lake (creative brief) 108
Chapter 7 Historical Chinese Figures
Q5 How do I price my work? 112
1 Woman Bust—Peach-Blossom Face 114
2 Woman Half-Figure—Rouge Fragrance 121
Q6 Talking to clients without tears 136
Q7 Red-flag checklist for contracts 137
Q8 Copyright quick-save 138
3 Man Half-Figure—Brocade Youth (creative brief) 138
4 Woman Full-Figure—Fox Transformation (creative brief) 141
5 Man Full-Figure—Night Stroll 143
Q9 Handling pressure & burnout 154
Q10 Staying physically fit in the hustle 155