Anne Wilson Illustration Portfolio - Specializes in Pattern, Characters and Childrens' Illustrations

Dancing cats, beautiful birds, hungry crocs and smiling sloths – Anne Wilson’s images have a charming folk art feel, but more than that, every picture tells a story of its own. From children’s books to editorial and charity work, Anne has the experience and skill to fine tune her approach to any brief and produce something unique and eye-catching.

Born on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic, Anne now lives in the much less remote town of Reading. Growing up, she loved picture books and one day decided that telling a story through pictures was something she’d quite like to do for a job. Taking inspiration from natural forms, patterns and colours, Anne studied art, receiving an MA in Illustration from Central Saint Martins.

Approach

Anne’s process balances the traditional and digital. Her scalpel, dip pen and inks sit side by side with her Wacom tablet, Mac and Photoshop. She loves the physical processes of colour mixing and mark making if they’re right for the project. The results are scanned and imported into Photoshop to create a final image.

Key Software

Photoshop

Style

Anne’s colourful, folksy images often feature a host of interesting characters. Teapots sprout legs, bears knit forests of trees and cats dance around mice. She varies her style and if stronger graphical forms are in play she’ll limit her palette accordingly.

Awards

2011 – Serco Prize for Illustration 2019 - Santa Monica Library, Green prize for sustainable literature - 'Red Alert!' Otterbarry Books 2020 - Teach Primary, best non fiction childrens picture book - 'Invisible Nature' Otterbarry Books

Client list

Anne’s clients include Waitrose Food Magazine, Magic Cat Publishing, Barefoot books, Raw London, Anders Producciones S.L. Quarto Publishing, Galt Toys, Welbeck Publishing, Otterbarry Books, The Old Dungate Press, Deliveroo, Lonely Planet Kids, London Transport Museum, Independent on Sunday, Mojo Magazine, Feast Creative, Crocodile Creek and Save the Children.