Fox & Fables — Whimsical Children's Illustrator & Pattern Designer

Old folktales – steeped in magic, mystery and fantasy – are an important source of inspiration for Emma Adams of the illustration studio Fox & Fables. The images in her portfolio offer a window into a world where nature takes on human qualities. Foxes and frogs, hares and squirrels, moles and mice all nestle side-by-side in a cosy, comforting atmosphere, with perhaps just a hint of mischief and magic.

In palettes that are earthy and autumnal, Emma conjures a soft feeling of nostalgia, far away from the whiz of technology and the grind of city living. Her creativity is built on a lifetime of drawing and after graduating North Dakota State University she led a successful career in fashion design and later became a specialist in nursery décor. Now a fulltime illustrator, her clients love Emma’s collaborative nature, dependability and idea-led approach. Based in Minnesota, Emma enjoys the outdoors and the satisfaction of tending a garden full of fruit, vegetables and flowers. Her inspirations include classics such as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Approach

When Emma embarked on her illustration career, she embraced pencil and paper and gouache paints, building up her tonal values and blending the colours. Using brushes to achieve the natural textures in her work, her lines are finished in coloured pencils. Today, she replicates this technique using Procreate.

Key software

Procreate and Adobe Illustrator.

Style

Warm, cosy and contemplative, Emma’s style is ideal across children’s illustration, publishing, editorial, packaging and campaigns. She’s capable of bringing whimsy and nostalgia to just about any subject matter.