Welcome! I’m Isobelle, an illustrator based in East Sussex, specializing in creating whimsical and colorful children’s illustrations. My work brings stories to life through a playful blend of multimedia techniques, combining digital art with traditional elements to craft vibrant and imaginative worlds. Whether it’s for books, educational materials, or personal commissions, I aim to inspire joy and creativity with every illustration.
Let’s explore the magic of storytelling together!
If you would like to check out more of my work you can find me on Instagram at @Isobelle.Elizabeth
About my process
My illustration process lives in the space where traditional craftsmanship meets digital imagination. I begin most of my pieces with tangible materials: coloured pencils, watercolours, gouache, and whatever paints feel right for the moment. There is something grounding about the physical act of drawing and painting, something that lets me connect directly with the textures, colours, and rhythms of nature. These early stages allow the work to grow organically, often sparking ideas that I would never have found if I started purely on a screen.
Once I have built the foundations by hand, I bring my artwork into the digital space, where I refine, recompose, and explore new possibilities. Sometimes I create a full illustration traditionally and then collage multiple pieces into a single dreamlike composition. Other times, I work from a single traditional base and shape the rest digitally, adjusting colours, adding depth, and polishing the atmosphere until it captures the mood I envisioned. This blend of media gives me the freedom to experiment endlessly, allowing each illustration to evolve in a way that feels both intuitive and deliberate.
Much of my inspiration comes from the natural world and the small, quiet moments that often go unnoticed. I take many of my own reference photos during walks and travels, using them as anchors to build whimsical, surreal environments that feel familiar yet slightly otherworldly. These real-world details ground my work, while imaginative twists allow me to create gentle, enchanted spaces that feel like fragments of a dream.
Experimentation is at the heart of everything I create. I am always exploring new materials, techniques, and ways of combining traditional and digital practices. This curiosity not only shapes my artistic voice but also keeps my process playful and ever-changing. Every illustration becomes a small adventure, guided by nature, whimsy, and a love for blending the real and the surreal.