Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

We present a curated list to help you develop your illustration practice. Building your skills as an illustrator is mainly about practice, practice, practice. Also, there are many different types of illustration, and few of us have mastered them all. But you have to know the fundamentals first.

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Illustration Illustrator Inspiration Portfolio 520

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Benjamin Phillips is the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year 2024 The V&A Illustration Awards, now celebrating its 52nd year, continues to champion the finest in contemporary illustration. The V&A has announced Benjamin Phillips as the Moira Gemmill Illustrator of the Year 2024.

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Illustration Illustrator Theme Textures 479

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 10, 2024

Professional Overall Winner: Mark Smith Last night, the winners of the World Illustration Awards were announced via an online ceremony hosted by renowned artist Aurélia Durand, along with a collection of special guests to present them. Our 2024 winners truly excel in their fields, illustrating complex narratives and ideas through their work.

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Illustration Illustrator Arts and Crafts Animation 483

Creative Boom

JANUARY 31, 2024

Auckland-based illustrator Joseph Carrington creates instantly recognisable work thanks to his sleek, deceptively simple style. Having originally trained as a graphic designer, Joseph Carrington pivoted to illustration seven years ago. "I Lately, I'm most proud of jobs where I've had the opportunity to animate my illustrations."

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Illustration Illustrator Client Freelance 511

Creative Boom

MAY 26, 2024

We canvassed the views of illustrators, who shared their biggest challenges and explained what they're doing to meet them. Working as an illustrator is a fun way to earn a living, but it's not without its challenges, not least the need to constantly adapt to new challenges and shifting paradigms. Sebastian Abboud tells a similar story.

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Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 488

Creative Boom

MAY 15, 2024

Illustrator impression of the new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration © Nora Walter With the help of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is set to move into London's historic New River Head buildings. And the artist himself couldn't be happier. Having been awarded a £3.75

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Illustration Illustrator Arts and Crafts Exhibition 493

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

With a background as a tattoo artist, Tom Strom is an emerging American illustrator whose images will draw you in and perhaps give you a little scare. Because as sweet and benign as his creatures seem, there's a dark side to most things Virginia illustrator Tom Strom conjures up. But what's life without a little peril now and again?

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Illustration Illustrator Textures Theme 488

Creative Boom

NOVEMBER 6, 2023

Lena Yokoyama created National Illustration Day's quirky identity Grab your pencils! Public arts organisation The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration has today launched the UK's first country-wide celebration of pictures and the people who make them with National Illustration Day, which will take place on 24 November.

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Illustration Illustrator Sculpture Gallery 505

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 11, 2023

Eastbourne-based illustrator Beth Tibbles specialises in creating colourful illustrations brimming with joy and humour. We caught up with her to learn more about her journey so far, how she looped back into illustration, and what it's like to go freelance. For Beth Tibbles, drawing has been a life-long passion.

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Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 491

Creative Boom

MARCH 14, 2024

Stoke-on-Trent-based illustrator and animator Qianhui Yu is on a mission to highlight social problems and tell stories from new perspectives. She's doing this by creating imaginative illustrations imbued with a healthy dose of feminism. Outside of her animation work, Qianhui is also making waves as an illustrator.

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Creative Boom

AUGUST 7, 2024

And if you're an artist, illustrator, or designer yourself, they're a great opportunity to make money doing what you love. I've been selling at illustration fairs and art markets for years," says illustrator and pattern designer Jacqueline Colley. Vickysworld Printmaker and illustrator Jason Limberg agrees.

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Marketing Marketing Artist Illustration 502

Creative Boom

AUGUST 18, 2024

Award-winning UK illustrator Elly Walton's quirky style brings whimsy and depth to her editorial, advertising, and design work. In the world of illustration, Elly Walton stands out as a virtuoso of playful storytelling. Her love for illustration was further nurtured by children's books, which offered layers of visual storytelling.

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Illustration Illustrator Art Arts and Crafts 424

Creative Boom

NOVEMBER 24, 2024

Katty Maurey, Daphne Schenderling, Abi Bi, Becky Colvin and Helen Brady are rising stars in children's illustration – but cute, happy and fluffy isn't always on the agenda. At the moment, many clients commissioning children's illustration are looking for artists who can bring a little spookiness to their work.

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Illustration Illustrator Animation Artist 439

Creative Boom

JUNE 2, 2024

Award-winning children's book illustrator Ian Morris reveals how he broke into the industry, why he prefers older artists, and what he keeps in mind when drawing for young audiences. Ian Morris's career as an illustrator has got off to an explosive start. My love for illustration was there from a young age," he tells Creative Boom.

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Illustration Illustrator Art Printmaking 483

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Peru-based illustrator Ximena Collado is known for her bright and bold fashion artwork, which depicts female body types rarely seen in the mainstream. I started an Instagram account for my illustrations and always shared my process, which was very easy because of the speed painting videos Procreate automatically makes," she explains.

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Fashion Illustration Illustrator Media 518

Creative Boom

MARCH 19, 2024

Tokyo-based illustrator Yuki Uebo creates messy, densely-packed images that reflect the crowded lifestyle of Japan's capital city. And it's this crowded way of living which has inspired local illustrator Yuki Uebo to fill her drawings with as many people as possible while also capturing the unique essence of Japan in the process.

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Illustration Illustrator Inspiration Freelance 481

Creative Boom

OCTOBER 15, 2023

The popular Swedish illustrator reveals how success carries its own burdens and the need to balance personal and commercial work to protect your mental health. With a BA in graphic design from Central Saint Martins, Alva is currently represented by Jelly and is challenging norms and helping shape the future of illustration.

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Illustration Illustrator Graphic Client 504

Creative Boom

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

While the country watched the crowning of another Great British Bake Off winner, we caught up with the man behind the moreish illustrations on the show. It's impossible to visit the homepage of Welsh illustrator Tom Hovey's website without working up an appetite.

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Illustration Illustrator Freelance Freelance 415

Creative Boom

JULY 23, 2024

With a background in editorial design, Andy Goodman decided to become an illustrator, developing an impactful, graphical style that's sublime and simple and a portfolio full of clever visual wordplay. Andy would love to return to large-scale artwork soon and explore more children's illustrations. "I

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Illustration Illustrator Vectors Client 453

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

Image licensed via Adobe Stock With so much talent out there, how do you get noticed as a freelance illustrator? Illustration is a great way to make a living that can be both creatively fulfilling and well compensated. And that means not only being a skilled artist but also making your mark as an unmistakable, sought-after illustrator.

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Creative Boom

JANUARY 7, 2024

Illustration challenges are a great way to reboot your creative brain because they offer structure, motivation and a sense of community to help you out when you can't get motivated by yourself. Official illustration challenges 1. Food illustration challenge Love food? And we've got ten ideas to help you do just that.

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Illustration Illustrator Artist Travel 491

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Pennsylvania-based illustrator and designer Laura Moyer has created stunning work for Disney, Pixar and Apple, all from the comfort of her cabin in the woods. But for illustrator and designer Laura Moyer, it's a reality that she wouldn't trade for the world. Most illustrators are in the same boat and are equally happy to connect.

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Internet and Software Development Illustration Illustrator Vectors 479

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Fast forward to 2024, and she's recently won a World Illustration Award for New Talent in Animation. Originally from Hefei in eastern China, Fangfang relocated to London, studied illustration at the Kingston College of Art, and graduated this year. An illustration about creativity for Teen Breathe.

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Illustration Illustrator Arts and Crafts Animation 398

Creative Boom

JANUARY 4, 2024

Illustrator, muralist and sign writer Will Rea offers a shining example of how to do it right. Also known as Willustration , the Sheffield-based illustrator, muralist and sign writer has quickly become known for his public artwork, indoor and outdoor signage, illustration and work in arts education.

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Illustration Illustrator Art Artist 500

Creative Boom

NOVEMBER 22, 2023

Berkshire-based artist and illustrator Hannah Gillingham pairs her creative skills with a love of stories to make her amazing work. Her dizzying career fulfilled a life-long love of art, which saw her study illustration and visual communication at the University of Westminster. And it's a passion which has only grown with time. "I

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Illustration Illustrator Art Inspiration 507

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

From doodling characters to illustrating for global brands, Alyah Holmes shares her colourful journey in the world of illustration. Illustration may be an increasingly competitive field, but Alyah Holmes has succeeded in standing out. I took art classes for Christmas and birthdays," she recalls. "My

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Illustration Illustrator Banners Client 427

Creative Boom

MAY 13, 2024

Buenos Aires-based illustrator Milagros Pico specialises in creating images that are bursting with vibrant colours. If the illustrations of Milagros Pico had a flavour, they'd definitely be bittersweet. Elsewhere, Milagros's love of music plays a huge part in her illustrations. "It

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Illustration Illustrator Arts and Crafts Animation 454

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

One of the world's most renowned illustrators has chosen some of his most iconic works for a 14-week exhibition at The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre in Chorlton. We asked him how he managed to decide which art to display from his collection of thousands of illustrations to choose from.

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Exhibition Illustration Illustrator Agency 461

Creative Boom

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

XG by Alxndra Cook We talk to Yvette Earl, Tatyana Alanis, Kyle Platts, Alxndra Cook, and Ryan Gillett – five talented illustrators who draw people convincingly and in unique styles that engage the viewer. As many an artist will tell you, illustrating people is one of the hardest skills to learn.

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Illustration Illustrator Client Photoshop 372

Creative Boom

JULY 16, 2024

Energetic shades of pink, green and blue are blended and carved into forms that begin rooted in daily life but quickly lead to strange realms of dreamlike surrealism as envisaged by the talented young illustrator Wenjing Yang. It's the colour that hits you first when Wenjing Yang 's portfolio is laid out before you.

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Illustration Illustrator Client Visual Art 434

Creative Boom

JANUARY 29, 2024

The work of Buenos Aires-based illustrator Sol Cotti is instantly recognisable thanks to her bold use of colour, composition and characters. Like most artists, editorial and commercial illustrator Sol Cotti grew up loving to draw. Yet despite all this, she still calls herself a self-taught illustrator who is constantly learning.

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Illustration Illustrator Advertising Advertising 450

Creative Boom

JUNE 24, 2024

London illustrator Sam Taylor explains what he learned from this unusual project. We're big fans of London-based illustrator Sam Taylor , whom we last covered in 2023 when he was experimenting with hand-made techniques. Overall, Sam has found this project rewarding and a valuable experience for his development as an illustrator.

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Illustration Illustrator Inspiration Layout 498

Creative Boom

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

Leeds-based illustrator Khloe Baker documents the people and stories behind the city's famous food markets in a charming personal project cum zine. Through her illustrations, which have since become a zine, Khloe managed to tackle the daunting prospect of location drawing.

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Marketing Marketing Illustration Illustrator 479

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Photography by Aya Wind In her debut graphic novel, Home Bound, the Tel Aviv-based illustrator explores the complex, fragile nature of belonging via a word-free odyssey in which the visual language speaks for itself. Her visual language is both precise and dreamlike, reflecting her own experiences of living between worlds.

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Illustration Illustrator Arts and Crafts Publishing 421

Creative Boom

MAY 22, 2024

Somerset-based illustrator, Charles Bailey channels the likes of Quentin Blake and Spike Milligan in his naive, expressive artwork, which explores complex themes. Studying illustration at Exeter changed all that. His illustrations still manage to be completely unique, representing a blend of Quentin Blake and Spike Milligan.

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Art Illustration Illustrator Exhibition 442

Creative Boom

DECEMBER 4, 2023

UK-based illustrator Emil Paun has channelled his childhood love of sci-fi novels into an optimistic series of images that imagine a more hopeful future for humanity. That's Emil Paun's approach in his illustration series Techno Optimism. I switched to illustration when my son was born," he adds.

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Illustration Illustrator Portfolio Travel 492

Creative Boom

AUGUST 15, 2024

Originally from the Russian territory of Sakha – also called Yakutia – Ilya Kazakov is one of the most northerly illustrators we've featured in a while. When the OFFF Festival came to Moscow in 2021, Ilya had the honour of creating the opening titles – a job many illustrators and animators would envy.

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Illustration Illustrator Client Animation 426