Degree exhibition major project.
The Gardening Angel represents the heart of my degree journey - A children’s picture book that brings together my love of storytelling, nature, and expressive illustration. Throughout this project, I have developed a distinctive visual style using watercolours, surface pattern design, and textured painterly techniques to create a world that feels gentle, magical and emotionally engaging for young readers. This body of work explores themes of environmental care, kindness, and connection, told through thoughtfully designed characters and vibrant natural settings. Creating this book has allowed me to refine my character development, narrative pacing, and visual language, resulting in a collection of illustrations that reflect both my creative growth and my passion for inspiring children to notice and care for the world around them.
Creating picture book magic through watercolour, texture, and The Gardening Angel’s gentle message.
Character development
My illustration process is rooted in observation, imagination, and a deep connection to nature. Each project begins with loose pencil sketches, where I explore character shapes, emotions, and storytelling poses. For The Gardening Angel, this stage was essential in developing Rory, Flora, Terrence, and the supporting cast, refining their personalities through repeated sketching until they felt alive on the page.
Tools and materials
Once the foundations are in place, I turn to watercolours to build soft washes, layered textures, and painterly details. I work traditionally at first, allowing the unpredictability of water and pigment to create organic effects that echo the natural world. I then enhance these illustrations digitally using textured brushes and subtle surface pattern design, adding depth, warmth, and small botanical motifs that tie the imagery together.
Colour
Colour plays an important role in my process, guiding mood and storytelling. For The Gardening Angel, the palette shifts from muted, tired tones in the damaged garden to brighter, more vibrant hues as nature returns, creating a visual journey that mirrors the narrative themes of care, respect, and environmental renewal.
Visual language and style
My visual style blends soft watercolour washes with playful surface textures to create gentle, nature- inspired illustrations. I focus on warm, expressive character's and organic shapes that feel hand crafted and inviting, using natural colours and subtle patterns to build a calm magical world. Working in stages, refining compositions, seeking feedback, and adjusting pacing, I am to create artwork that feels immersive and full of life, encouraging children to connect with nature and find magic in ordinary moments.
Thank you for visiting my degree showcase.
These projects represent years of growth, discovery, and joy in bringing gentle, nature-inspired stories to life. I’m excited to carry this work forward as I continue creating picture books that celebrate curiosity, kindness, and the magic of the natural world. I hope you leave feeling inspired, uplifted, and connected to the characters and places I’ve loved creating.