Determine the central theme or scene the song portrays in its lyrics. For example, an illustration of a love song could focus on a couple or a heart as a love symbol.
Listen to the music's flow or rhythm. It may be smooth, harsh or choppy. When drawing your illustration, use flowing lines to represent a smooth rhythm and short, scratchy lines for a more choppy rhythm.
Determine how the music makes you feel. For example, it may be a happy song, or the music may bring you to tears or make you angry. Visual art often conveys mood through color.
Pick colors that communicate feelings inspired by the music, and use those colors to dominate your illustration of the song. For example, use red and orange to communicate anger. Use blue and violet hues to produce an illustration for a sad song. Use yellow to illustrate a happy song.