Lists – Illustrators

Mélanie is a freelance designer, illustrator and letterer from France but living in Margate. She has the most inspiring Instagram feed full of sunny, beachy and sustainability themed artwork.

Marylou is a Parisian illustrator who works with the boldest of colours and shapes. I recently visited her exhibition 'Nobody's Baby' where she celebrates females. Her work not only looks amazing, but holds great, empowering messages.

I first saw James’ work at Dismaland a few years ago. His exhibit was a large, rotating smiley face which you can see on his website. A beautifully simple idea which is super effective.

Lois is a Brighton based artist who paints incredible murals including the UK’s 1st ever giant Basketball Art Court. I love her use of colour and ability to inject colour and life into even the most boring public spaces!

Hanna is a Swedish graphic designer and visual artist. Alongside her gorgeous patterns and illustrations she also posts beautifully minimal photography on her Instagram account. She’s recently been painting murals in LA and she has some gorgeous prints for sale in her Society6 shop.

Kaja is ‘a cheery and visually thinking’ Illustrator from Germany. She has a beautifully fluid feel to her work, alongside lovely muted colours which give them a sophisticated feel.

Carlo co-owns Les Maux Bleus, a tattoo studio in Paris. If I was going to get a tattoo, I would want Carlo for the job! I love how unusual and simplistic the designs are.

Rocio is a graphic designer and illustrator who describes his work as ‘joyful’. I love how his work manages to look childlike without seeming amateur.

Katrina is a London based printmaker and visual artist, ‘who’s practice is deeply informed by the joyful clash of diversity, shapes and people and places in her surroundings’. She’s worked with some big names including ITV and Urban Outfitters and it’s easy to see why - who couldn’t love her combination of shape, and colour into beautiful physical works.

Ana is a fellow Bristolian - she’s recently painted a fantastic mural in a local shopping centre which I need to go and check out. Her vibrant colours and patterns can’t help but make you feel happy.

Quentin lives and works in Paris, where the ‘summer vibes of his childhood by the sea continue to haunt his colourful work for the pleasure of our eyes.’ He’s got an impressive client list including Airbnb and Barclays - I especially love his very minimal illustrations.

Victor’s work has such a unique, retro and almost 3D feel to it. I love how they’re like glimpses into another world.

Shawna is an independent artist & creative consultant based in New York. She’s recently had a baby and has some beautifully creative self portraits on her instagram. He illustrations feel like they are dripping with colour, super fluid and vibrant - kind of what I’d want to see if I ever took hallucinogenics!

Japanese artist Yoko Honda just makes me want to immediately drop everything and fly to Miami. Images of palm tree surrounded pools and retro beach fronts just make me so happy. I can’t get enough of her colour schemes and attention to detail.

Lilly has got to be up there as one of my all-time favourite illustrators. She’s recently done an Adobe Live session where she talks through her process. It’s entirely in German but I’ve watched the whole thing anyway as I was so intrigued to see how she works! She’s co-founded Design Studio B.O.B where she’s illustrated and art directed some especially beautiful food packaging.

It couldn’t be an illustration list without including Hattie Stewart. I remember being super inspired by her ‘doodle bombing’ when I was doing my art foundation course. Being a constant doodler I just loved how free she was with her drawing, and bringing an image to life by adding her illustrations on to it. More recently I loved (but sadly didn’t manage to visit) her exhibition at NOW gallery ‘I Don’t Have Time For This’ where she painted a giant mural on the floor for people to lie down on, seeing their reflections in the mirrored ceiling above. Such a simple but brilliantly effective idea.

Katja is a graphic designer and illustrator from Finland but now based in Melbourne. Her muted colour tones and interesting shapes drew me to her work. There's something super calming about her work and obviously incredibly beautiful.

Mathilde has illustrated for a whole host of magazines including Monocle and Paulette. I love her angular lines mixed with fluid ones and block colours. Really lovely work.