Lea Vervoort is based in the Netherlands and has just graduated from Art Academy St Joost. Her style is very warm and she has a playful use of typography which suits. She is full of imagination and we look forward to seeing more of Lea’s creations in the future!

Londoner Emma Block has a really friendly, approachable style of illustration which is carried through in the styling of her blog. First Class Honours in BA Illustration at Middlesex University, and has since gone on to produce a book (Tea and Cake, 2011) as working for several clients including Hardie Grant, Hand in Hand Soap, The British Heart Foundation, Time Out, Hallmark and Moo. Emma also likes to write and has written for The Guardian, Lionheart Magazine, Amelia’s Magazine and The Young Creatives.

She is currently working on her first children’s book, which I’ll be looking out for! In the mean time, why not visit her Etsy shop for some nice Christmas ideas…

Londoner Kirstie is a children’s book illustrator, with two books published to date (‘So You Wanna Be A Rock Star’ written by acclaimed author Audrey Vernick and ‘The Monster Who Lost His Mean’, written by Tiffany Strelitz Haber). Her influences include Charles Harper, M. Sasek, Mary Blair and the brilliant Eric Carle. Kirstie uses a lot of anthropomorphism in her work, nice simple shapes and marks and really warm colours to create a really friendly feel.

See more work on her website, or alternatively her blog.

Cally worked for several years as an in-house illustrator for the greetings card industry. She now works freelance from her pink-themed studio in Newcastle, England. Her contemporary, fun style is dainty and delightful, featuring a host of cute characters.

“Inspiration comes from almost anything; a countryside walk, star gazing, music, a picnic on the beach, tending her vegetable patch, attempting to skip stones, even panda bears. (Though she’s yet to meet one).”

Visit her Flickr Portfolio.

Tin Can Forest is made up of Toronto based animation and illustration duo, Pat Shewchuk and Marek Colek. Their work is heavily influenced by folklore and has a very ethereal quality to it. In 2006 they presented their 5-and-a-half animation, Montrose Avenue, to international festivals including the Ottawa Animation Festival, and The Tokyo International Film Festival. They have also produced three stunning art books, POHADKY, BABA YAGA and the WOLF, and WAX CROSS, the latter two are available to buy from the Tin Can Forest website. Their work is rich in detail and vigour, with beautiful etching-esque brush marks, and muted autumn tones. The best place to see more of their work is on the Tin Can Forest blog.

Bee is from Melbourne, Australia. She’s a whiz at creating simple, bright, cute characters and patterns that find their way onto cushions, fabrics, greetings cards and more! Looking through her blog, you’ll find a master class in self-branding. It’s also evident that she lives and breathes this brand (baking cakes, making jam, gardening and collecting buttons). This is a good platform to sell her own products and it’s always reassuring to approach an illustrator whose style is consistent; that way you know what to expect.

Visit the Little Beehive, Belinda’s website. 

Jennifer’s tempting aesthetics have graced magazines, greetings cards and almost a dozen children’s books. Her soft outlines and textured colours are like visual hugs. She currently lives in Minneapolis, USA.

Clients include Simon & Schuster, Random House and Designer Greetings.

Visit her website, or alternatively her lovely blog.