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Tom Bonson

Tom Bonson

Tom Bonson - Children’s Book Illustrator. UK

Trolls, owls, surfers and giants too – the picture book characters created by Bristol-based artist Tom Bonson are brimming with life, colour and a bit of light-hearted humour. As well as writing and illustrating children’s stories, Tom has seen his work brought to life in animated apps, and his unique style keeps audiences coming back for more.
With parents who were also illustrators, Tom comes from a creative family that he credits for much of his inspiration. “My mum religiously playing Simon and Garfunkel when driving to the zoo, my dad who would regale me with bite-size versions of Dickens novels,” he explains. They also taught him how to see detail and the bigger picture, something that’s always manifest in his children’s book illustrations. After two years of Fine Art at Norfolk College, Tom completed an Illustration degree at Lincoln University.

Approach

Beginning with a rough composition in Photoshop, Tom traces the image onto paper and then renders it fully in pencils. The pencil drawing is scanned back into Photoshop where all the colour is added.

Styles

Tom loves creating worlds that viewers can get lost in, with colourful characters and little hints of detail that draw you in. Humour – usually ridiculous and jolly – plays an important role in his style as well.

Client list

Tom has been commissioned by clients including Pearson, Oxford University Press, the Sunday Times, National Wildlife Federation, Barrington Stokes, Accord Publishing, Dinardo Design and Glottogon.
Lost In The Woods Picture Book
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Cartoon Elephant
Tom Bonson
Animation bear and the girl
Tom Bonson
Cartoon Fish Acquarium
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
An enchanting magician character for a children's storybook adventure
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson - Fantasy artist for kids' books
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
"Character artwork of a kid drawing
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Whimsical monster illustrations for a children's fantasy tale
Tom Bonson
Digital Art of City with Pollution and Smell
Tom Bonson
Cartoon Children book
Tom Bonson
Captivating design of a dinosaur and a girl
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Water Color Drawing Of Hippo and Birds
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Children's fantasy artists crafted a whimsical space ship
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Portrait Of Star Boy
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Cartoon design of monster crowd
Tom Bonson
Character design of scrap crab
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Cartoon Crab
Tom Bonson
Child fantasy art with a tortoise
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Pencil Drawing of Unhappy Dog
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Tom Bonson
Children octo shop
Tom Bonson
Children walking hills
Tom Bonson
Picture Book Illustration Of Trevor The Troll
Tom Bonson
Pet Dinosaur and Girl with Bonfire
Tom Bonson
Children Playing in Super Den
Tom Bonson
Picture book cover of 'Rock Sheep'
Tom Bonson
Rotten Fruits Illustrated as Human Being
Tom Bonson
Illustration Of Bad Santa and the Boy
Tom Bonson
Oliver Rigby fantasy poster The Birsol Giants
Tom Bonson
Illustration of Goram and Ghyston Bristol Giants
Tom Bonson
An Illustration Of Bristol Traffic
Tom Bonson
Animation Hangover
Tom Bonson
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