About Zoe

Hello! I’m Zoe 👋 – children’s book illustrator, designer, and professional tea-drinker living in the beautiful hills of Derbyshire.
I share my home (and most of my snacks) with my husband and our two dogs: Misty, who has taken on the very important role of receptionist, and Sian, who prefers to act as head of the complaints department. Misty greets absolutely everyone with enthusiasm (whether you want her to or not), while Sian makes sure to loudly file her grievances whenever something in her world is less than satisfactory. Together, they run the office. I just draw.
The Early Scribbles ✏️
Like most kids, I started drawing when I was little — except I never really stopped. I’d draw on anything I could get my hands on: scrap paper, exercise books, my homework (sorry, teachers). At 16, when I was choosing my A-levels, it suddenly clicked that drawing could be more than just a hobby. It could be a career. That moment of realisation changed everything.
I’ve always been a storyteller at heart. If I wasn’t sketching, I was reading, writing little tales, gaming, or getting far too invested in local theatre productions (complete with embarrassing amounts of jazz hands). So choosing illustration felt like the perfect way to combine everything I loved into one.
“But Zoe, why did you have to pick these photos?”
-Quote from Zoe’s Mum


University Adventures 🎓
When I was applying for universities, one of my brilliant art teachers suggested I look into illustration. I did, and instantly thought: Yes, this is it.
I ended up studying at the University of Lincoln from 2009–2012, where I earned my BA (Hons) in Illustration. Honestly, Lincoln felt like something out of a storybook. The city is built around its incredible cathedral — a building so tall and majestic that, for over 200 years, it was actually the tallest in the world. Walking through cobbled streets, climbing the famous Steep Hill (which is as steep as it sounds!), and catching glimpses of the cathedral at every turn felt magical. It was impossible not to feel inspired.
One of my studio spaces during my time there was a converted church, complete with tall arched windows and beams of coloured light streaming in on sunny days. Working in a place like that felt like stepping straight into the pages of a fantasy novel — and it definitely encouraged me to dream big.
Those three years were a mix of late nights, creative breakthroughs, far too much caffeine, and friendships I’ll always treasure. Lincoln will forever hold a special place in my heart.
How I Work 🎨
Fast-forward to now, and my work is 100% digital — but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s all quick clicks and instant magic. Every illustration goes through a journey, and I love every step of it.
I usually start by sketching out ideas on my iPad (it’s portable, which means I can work curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea while Misty snores beside me). Once the concepts are in place, I move things over to my Mac Studio or my Wacom Cintiq tablet for the bigger, more detailed work. That’s where characters get their personalities, colours start to sing, and the pages begin to feel like real story worlds.
I’m a big believer in collaboration. When I’m working on a book, I share rough sketches first — that way, authors can make sure everything feels right before we add polish. Then come refined sketches, colour tests, and finally the finished illustrations. It’s a step-by-step process designed so you always feel part of the journey, and nothing gets lost in translation. (Plus, it saves me from spending three days perfecting a dragon’s scales only to discover the author actually wanted a fluffy bunny.)
And yes, I’ll admit it: I have way too many Photoshop brushes and fonts. We’re talking hundreds… maybe thousands. Do I need them all? Absolutely. Do I actually use them all? Well, let’s just say they’re waiting for their moment to shine.
My style is bright, fun, and whimsical, with lots of texture and detail — the kind of art that invites you to look twice and notice something new every time. At the end of the day, my goal is always the same: to create books that feel magical, memorable, and full of heart.


When I’m Not Drawing… 🎭
If I’m not sketching or reading, you’ll usually find me:
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Throwing the ball for my dogs (they say it’s my favourite hobby… and technically, they’re not wrong).
- Reading (I own over 1000 books and my TBR is WAY too long!)
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Gaming (story-driven RPGs are my weakness).
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Singing far too loudly to musicals (sorry, neighbours).
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Dancing around the kitchen like nobody’s watching (even though my dogs are watching, with judgment).
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Or heading out to the theatre to soak up some live performances.
Basically, if it involves stories, creativity, or a chance to make a bit of a fool of myself — I’m in.
A Big Thank You 💕
None of this would be possible without my family, friends, and husband, who have been endlessly patient with my artistic chaos. They’ve endured random scraps of paper appearing in the strangest places, my “I just need 10 more minutes” turning into hours, and the way art supplies and books have a sneaky habit of multiplying across the house.
Thank you for being here and supporting my dream job. Illustration is something I feel ridiculously lucky to do every day, and it wouldn’t be possible without people like you who love books, stories, and creativity as much as I do.
If you’ve got any questions — about my work, my process, or even just which musicals I’m currently belting out in the car — don’t be shy. I’d love to hear from you!
