Meet 28 Editorial Illustrators doing Brilliant Work Right Now
In this post, you’ll meet 28 brilliant illustrators working across magazines, newspapers, online media, and more. Each artist shares a small selection of their work, three handpicked illustrations, and a short intro about who they are and what they do.
Whether you’re an art director, fellow illustrator, or creative, or just curious about the world of editorial illustration, this collection of illustrators will give you a diverse mix of styles and expressions worth exploring.
Jessie Wong is an illustrator raised in Hong Kong and currently based in Japan. She believes that every small object around us holds meaning and a story. If you take the time to notice and imagine, these ordinary things can fill your life with love and energy.
Through her illustrations and vibrant use of color, she invites viewers into a world where even the simplest moments come alive with warmth and imagination.
Hi, I’m Linn Warme, an illustrator and pattern designer based in Sweden. Whenever I create digitally or with traditional methods, the craftsmanship is always important to me. Nature is a big source of inspiration for me, and nothing brings me more joy than the first blooming flowers in the spring.
My illustrations and patterns have appeared on packaging, clothing, textiles, and in editorial projects around the world.
My name is Lydia Hill, and I’m a freelance illustrator based in Sheffield, UK. I began my career in children’s literature immediately after graduating from university, but over time, my practice has evolved to focus on editorial, advertising, and branding illustration.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as the resident editorial illustrator for The Inside Track magazine by SAP and to collaborate closely with the University of Northern Iowa on their alumni magazine, creating spot illustrations, covers, and full double-page spreads. I’ve expanded into branded illustration asset libraries for select clients in recent years. These projects have included both static and animated elements, allowing me to grow my skills in storyboarding and collaborate with animators.
Akvilė Magicdusté specializes in nature themes, maps, and site-specific urban art. With a background in comics, she effortlessly incorporates witty text into her illustrations.
Her work often reflects a sense of leisure — in her free time, she enjoys skateboarding, biking, and hiking.
I’m Silvia Rossana, a freelance illustrator and graphic designer based in a small town near Milan, Italy.
Growing up in the countryside surrounded by nature, I developed a passion for drawing from a very young age: drawing (and crafting in general) was my creative outlet, a way to express my shy, introverted personality and explore my imagination.
My work focuses on women (my favorite subjects) and nature, reflecting my love for simple things and a gentle, poetic view of the world.
I would describe my style as playful, dreamy, quirky, and pastel-colored. I’m obsessed with muted, pastel color palettes, which are the same colors I choose for my clothes and my home, because I love to surround myself with colors that bring me joy!
After working for several years as a graphic designer in the packaging field, I took the leap into freelance life and have never looked back. Today, I collaborate with international clients, creating illustrations, packaging designs, and pattern designs.
I also have a passion for plants, which often appear in my work, although, sadly, they don’t seem to love me back, as I proudly call myself a “plant killer.”
When I’m not illustrating, you’ll likely find me at home knitting, surrounded by my half-wilted plants, my dog Ginger, my husband, and our daughter.
I’m an editorial illustrator from Warsaw with over 15 years of experience. I create poetic, emotional images focused on women’s stories – from mental health and psychology to social issues and everyday life.
My fine arts background gives my work a painterly feel, always rooted in strong
ideas. Color is one of my key strengths and a signature element of my style. I carefully build each palette to support the mood and meaning behind the illustration.
My illustrations have appeared in Vogue, Wired, Elle, Wysokie Obcasy, Zwierciadło, and Pismo. I aim to make visuals that feel honest, intimate, and meaningful, whether I’m illustrating a personal essay or a cultural story.
My name is Iris van den Akker, I’m a freelance illustrator based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I love working in various fields, it keeps things interesting!
Clients often come to me for illustrations on themes like nature, travel, human interest, food, and lifestyle. I work with a diverse range of clients in publishing, advertising, and editorial, which means I get to create everything from book covers and magazine illustrations to posters, postcards, tote bags, and full campaigns. Lately I get to illustrate lots of flowers, plants and all things botanical.
All in a clear, elegant style with retro vibes and lots of colours, topped off with friendly communication.
My name is Lynn Bremner, I am an illustrator based in Melbourne, Australia. I create vibrant and impactful images that bring ideas to life with bold colour palettes and dynamic compositions.
I love to create compelling visual narratives to accompany editorial works and have worked with editorial clients such as The Big Issue, BBC Science Focus, Consumer Report, Frankie and Outside Magazine.
I’m Alessandra De Cristofaro, and I’m an Italian illustrator from Southern Italy. I studied Illustration and Comics in Italy and Germany, and I work as a freelance illustrator for international magazines, publishing houses, and creative agencies.
I specialize in illustrations for children’s and young adults’ books and editorial illustrations. My work is marked by bright colors, lightness, playfulness, and an introspective view. My favorite subjects are nature, animals, mythology, food, and mental well-being. Clients include The New York Times, The Atlantic, Pentagram Design, Emergency, THR, Today, and DK Publishing.
Hi! My name is Suvi Suitiala and I’m a freelance illustrator from Finland. I’m in my element when I get to draw people, flowers and plants, little nick-nacks and beautiful furniture. I get inspired by a certain color combination, fashion, films, sports & people. I like to use bold color palettes and I spend a lot of time choosing the right colors. In my illustrations, I enjoy combining graphic shapes with flat color with organic lines.
I feel lucky to have an opportunity to work with many different illustration projects: editorial illustration, commercial illustration, pattern design, and event identities. I feel my strength in editorial illustration is making illustrations for articles about people, relationships, living, lifestyle, interior design, fashion, and health. In editorial illustration, I love to communicate the message of the text in an insightful and an engaging way with my own style.
Jess Jenkins is an illustrator known for her playful characters and vibrant storytelling. She specialises in themes that celebrate lifestyle, animals, and culture.
Her signature style features bold line work, bright limited colour palettes, and endearing human figures that bring warmth and charm to every piece.
Kate is an Edinburgh-based illustrator who creates imaginative narratives and characters using a range of analogue and digital tools. Her work is aimed at all ages and often features nature, buildings, people, and food. Kate makes work in response to her surroundings and emotions, but she also enjoys creating scenes completely from her imagination.
Kate uses her illustration skills to make complex concepts easily understandable to the viewer, and her illustrations are eye-catching and emotive, making them well-suited to editorial illustration projects.
Lisa McHugo is a freelance illustrator based in Ireland, specialising in illustration that brings stories to life with warmth, imagination, and heart. Her dreamy artwork explores themes of mythology, magic, adventure, and friendship, infused with bright pastel tones and textured details.
Lisa’s work radiates positivity and hope, offering a joyful, inclusive visual voice that resonates with a diverse audience.
Marina is a freelance illustrator based in Madrid. She focuses on custom illustrations for brands and editorial publications. Vibrant colours and light are very present in her work, which usually captures the little but meaningful moments in life.
Mattia Riami is an illustrator and visual artist born and raised in Venice, a city that has profoundly shaped his aesthetic and creative vision. After attending the city’s Art School, he continued his studies in Milan at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED), where he was awarded a scholarship for a three-year course in Visual Communication, specializing in illustration. Always captivated by the fusion of traditional art and new technologies, Mattia has developed a unique style that blends the hands-on craft of drawing with the power of digital illustration.
His professional journey began in the prestigious graphic offices of Love Therapy by Elio Fiorucci, later moving to United Colors of Benetton, where he honed his skills in Graphic Apparel Design. However, his passion for illustration led him to embrace the life of a freelance artist, collaborating with numerous companies, magazines, and journals, quickly establishing himself in the contemporary illustration scene.
In 2024, Mattia became a member of the board of Autori di Immagini, Italy’s leading association for illustrators and visual creatives, where he actively contributes to promoting visual culture. He is also a member of Our Voice, an artistic and socio-political organization through which Mattia supports causes related to civil engagement, using his art as a powerful tool for communication and change.
Beyond his career as an illustrator, Mattia is a passionate teacher of Illustration and Graphic Design at the Scuola Comics in Padua, where he shares his experience and enthusiasm with the next generation of artists. His works are represented by the Garance and Marion Gallery, where his art finds a space for dialogue with the contemporary audience.
Mattia Riami’s artistry is a constant aesthetic search, where the tradition of hand-drawing merges with the latest digital techniques, creating works that are as visually striking as they are conceptually profound. A dreamer, as he likes to call himself, Mattia conjures imaginary worlds and visual stories that speak of emotions and reflections, seamlessly bringing together two worlds, he analog and the digital, in a harmonious union that challenges artistic conventions.
I’m Monsie, a Polish-born freelance illustrator now based in Edinburgh. I specialize in character design, editorial illustrations, and advertising art. My illustrations dance between minimalism and mischief. I craft visuals with just enough lines to make them real and just enough whimsy to make them playful and unforgettable. Pieces that live somewhere between “clean design” and “controlled chaos.”
My specialty? Telling big stories with just a few lines and shapes, and always with a wink.
Sarah Farquhar is a Canadian Illustrator who specializes in editorial and commercial illustration. Her style evokes joy and nostalgia through her retro stylistic approach to drawing.
Sarah’s editorial clients include The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, The Literary Review of Canada, Re:Porter and Reader’s Digest Canada. She gets inspired by browsing through old magazines, comics, and storybooks from the 1930’s through 1960’s.
Irene is a Ukrainian self-taught illustrator & graphic designer, now based in Canada. For the past 5 years, she has been creating colorful brand illustrations for clients worldwide. She also loves bringing brands to life through packaging design, character creation, editorial, and graphics for motion.
Irene runs her design studio Deeply, where she collaborates with other creatives, and writes a newsletter for artists and business leaders, sharing tips & tricks, talking about freelance business, and sharing her experience.
Vanessa Branchi is a conceptual illustrator with 10+ years of experience, working with international clients and publications. All her illustrations are carefully crafted using vectors, and thanks to a surreal twist, invite the viewer to dive into a world where symbols hold hidden meanings and elements are the gateway to another dimension.
Her client list includes Time Magazine, Google, The Wall Street Journal, Bank of America, The Financial Times, The Scientific American, The Times, Time Out Magazine, New Scientist, and The Telegraph, among many others.
Zhigang Zhang is a Chinese illustrator based in London. He mainly provides editorial illustrations for Magazines and Newspapers, but he is also interested in advertising, package design, book illustration, animal illustration, landscape, and so on. His style is vibrant, bright, colourful.
His work is full of life, he is inspired by the life around him. He has worked with clients such as Bandcamp, We Transfer, Süddeutsche Zeitung, De Morgen.
Hi, I’m Zosia! I’m a London-based illustrator and graphic designer with a love for character-driven illustrations that capture everyday moments with warmth and personality. My work spans across branding, packaging, and editorial illustration.
My illustrations explore themes of individuality, self-expression, and social behaviours, often featuring women, distorted body shapes, and grotesque facial expressions. I enjoy bringing a touch of humour and playfulness into my work, interpreting each brief through a unique perspective.
I’m always open to new ideas and collaborations, so if you have a project in mind, feel free to get in touch at hello@zovska.com
Hi, I’m Rowena – an illustrator & animator based in Bournemouth, UK. I often work in areas like science, health, psychology, and climate, creating editorial illustrations and explainer animations.
My approach is intricate and conceptual, aiming to bring clarity and curiosity to complex ideas. Alongside my creative work, I have a degree in psychology and currently study biochemistry in my spare time, subjects which fuel my curiosity and often inform my creative process.
Clients include the BMJ, TED-Ed, Breathe, and Rewilding Apennines. Outside of work, I love hiking, bouldering, and exploring in nature!
Hello! I’m Bea, a freelance illustrator and designer based in the UK. I create bold, characterful digital illustrations, often with a focus on storytelling. I work primarily in editorial and publishing, where I enjoy making complex ideas feel clear, engaging, and approachable. I’m currently working on my next non-fiction book for children about space! When I’m not working, I love being outdoors, whether that’s going for a walk or spending time in my sunny south London garden.
I am an illustrator from Marseille, France. My work explores the intricate connections between humanity and wilderness, blurring the boundaries between culture and nature. I create unique visual narratives through a blend of hand-painted textures and digital geometric compositions.
My aesthetic sometimes references illustrators from the 1950s, and like these versatile artists, I enjoy working across diverse fields including editorial, children’s books, advertising, and cartoons.
Yoko Baum is a Japanese freelance illustrator based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in vibrant food and drink illustration and lifestyle artwork. With a diverse cultural background, her work blends Japanese and global cultures, incorporating influences from American, European, and other international food traditions.
Her work is perfect for editorial, publishing, and advertising projects, where she creates custom illustrations that bring storytelling to life, whether for magazines, cookbooks, or branding.
When she’s not drawing, food and cooking are still her big passions; she enjoys preparing meals for her family and tends to a small herb garden on her patio, which also inspires her art.
Alice Mollon is an Illustrator / Animator with 9+ years of experience in editorial and beyond.
Having worked for the likes of the New York Times, The Economist, Vogue, TED and everything in between, she can tackle all kinds of topics, skilfully translating the essence of each story into its perfectly complementary visual.
Her work is bright and elegant, and threads together visual metaphors and common iconography with a unique perspective, resulting in characterful pieces that are at once nuanced and clear.
Louise Coutinho is an emerging Brazilian illustrator who’s been working in the industry for the last 2 years with Editorial commissions and personal work.
Her work specialises in feminine and lifestyle subjects, and her compositions are always full of playful characters and vibrant colours, always communicating happiness, joy and friendship. Nodding to her personal references of being brought up in the late 90’s and 2000’s, Louise’s work hints nostalgia and familiarity with these decades’ pop culture, reinterpreted and freshened up by her South American, tropical upbringing.
Olivia Brotheridge is an illustrator with a specialism in map design, creating work which is colourful and graphic with organic lines. Her work is often highly detailed, conveying the feeling of a place through the buildings, nature and human experiences. This could be highlighting dishes at restaurants, shopping locations, people enjoying picnics in parks or navigating campuses at a university. She loves to include hidden details that give a map that extra level of character.
Olivia’s designs can be found on building hoardings and signage, in printed leaflets, books and magazines, for events, packaging and online. Some recent clients include Google, Oxford Street, Bloomsbury, Hilton and Bristol University.
