Laura Hughes’ Illustrations Capture the Essence of Being a Child

When it comes to illustrations for children, Laura Hughes’ creativity and playfulness knows no end. Using inks, gouache paint, and crayons, with digital finishing touches, her creations have adorned children’s books like There’s a Pig Up My Nose, Daddy’s Sandwich, and The Birthday Invitation. Aside from those, her artwork is also featured on greetings cards, gift-wrappings, packaging, and stationery.

“Most of the illustrations start with an urge to draw a particular thing,” she told Love Print Studio, explaining her creative process. “I’ll make a few drawings of the subject, sometimes 2 or 3, sometimes even more! Then I scan the drawing or painting and clean it up on the computer.”

“Children’s books are an endless source of inspiration and wonder for me and I love the current trend for more ‘arty’, interesting styles,” she relayed. “Though my work is very ‘illustrative’, I often look to painters and fine artists for inspiration. I think it’s good for illustrators to look beyond their peers in order to keep their work looking fresh.”

Having studied illustration at Kingston University and graduated in 2005, she now resides in Walthamstow and is represented by Arabella Stein at The Bright Agency. But you can also follow her progress online, through her Instagram page.