Who or what made you want to become an illustrator?

I think I always knew I wanted to create. But what really pulled me toward illustration - especially for children was the way pictures in books made me feel growing up. They weren’t just drawings. They were entire little worlds packed with wonder, comfort, and meaning. As I grew older and began teaching myself art, I realized I didn’t just want to look at those kinds of illustrations—I wanted to make them.

What sealed the deal was discovering how much impact visual storytelling has on young hearts. I saw that I could use my art to preserve culture, spark empathy, and create space for kids to feel seen. That realization lit something in me that hasn’t gone out since.

What makes a good children’s book?

I believe a good children’s book should teach something - whether it's a lesson, a new idea, or just the joy of reading. Most importantly, it should leave kids with a positive feeling and something to take away from the experience.

Which project are you most proud of?

One of the projects I’m most proud of is the Gujarati Vocabulary Book Series - a set of six colorful books designed to help kids and adults connect with their Gujarati roots. Each book focuses on fun themes like the alphabet, numbers, colors, animals, fruits and vegetables, and nature.

What made this project extra special was my collaboration with Tulsi, my client and now a good friend. From day one, we shared a passion for keeping our culture and language alive, and working together felt smooth and exciting.

We also had an amazing moment when the project raised $10,793 on Kickstarter with support from 93 backers—in just one month! Seeing so many people believe in our idea was truly heartwarming.

Illustrating these books was such a joy—bringing each word to life with bright, engaging visuals that both kids and adults can enjoy. Knowing that these books will help families learn, share stories, and stay connected to their roots makes this project really close to my heart!

Did you attend art school or undertake any other formal artistic training?

I didn’t attend a traditional art school—I’m a self-taught illustrator. Since 2016, I’ve explored all kinds of learning paths, from online courses on Udemy to local art classes that helped me build my foundation. What truly shaped my skills, though, were the mentorships I undertook later on. DrawingForce with Mritunjay Varun gave me a deep understanding of fundamentals, and my one-on-one mentorship with Jeremy Vickery continues to help me grow in ways I never imagined.

Was creativity part of your childhood?

Yes, absolutely! Creativity was a big part of my childhood, especially through traditions like making large 3-4 feet rangolis (art on the ground) during festivals. It was such a joyful process, full of color, patience, and storytelling. Those moments weren’t just about decoration - they taught me composition, rhythm, and how art can bring people together. Looking back, I think those early creative rituals quietly laid the foundation for the artist I’ve become today.

Who or what has been your greatest mentor?

My greatest mentor has been Jeremy Vickery. His guidance has been a game-changer for me - not just technically, but emotionally and creatively. He has this incredible way of seeing your potential even before you do, and gently pushing you toward it. With every session, I’ve learned not just how to draw better, but how to think deeper and more intentionally as an illustrator. I'm truly grateful for the clarity and confidence his mentorship has given me.

What piece of software or hardware could you not live without and why?

I couldn’t live without my iPad and Procreate. It gives me the freedom to draw anywhere- whether I’m curled up on the sofa or sitting in a café. The responsiveness, the brush textures, and the ease of experimenting with ideas make it feel like an extension of my hand. It’s where most of my illustrations come to life.

Tell us about the creation of your favourite character from one of your books.

I designed this pumpkin character for one of my most recent picture books. He starts off as cheerful and kind, but as the story progresses, he becomes selfish and rude. To reflect this shift, I gradually changed his features, his round, soft shape becomes more angular, his expressions sharper, and eventually, he even develops a large crack across his head, looking completely miserable.

By the end of the story, as he learns and grows, he slowly returns to the good pumpkin he once was. His crack remains as a reminder, but his face becomes round and soft again, showing his transformation not just through words but visually too. This character was so fun to design because I got to explore emotion and shape-shift through storytelling, all while keeping him lovable from start to finish.

How many times do you tend to draw a character until you are happy with it?

It really depends on the character, but I usually go through several rough sketches - sometimes 5 to 10 versions. I like exploring different shapes, personalities, and emotions until the character starts to feel alive on the page. It’s a process of refining and playing until something just clicks for both me and the author. I don’t rush it - I want each character to feel honest and expressive.

Talk us through the process of creating one of your latest illustrations or books.

One of my latest books was about a little pumpkin who learns an important lesson about humility and kindness. My process began with reading the manuscript a few times to feel the emotional beats and character arcs.

Before diving into the full book, I first do the entire process - thumbnail, sketch, linework, color for just one page, along with character exploration. This helps me and the author agree on the overall style, palette, and character vibe before moving forward. Once that’s locked in, I move on to creating all the thumbnails together, then all the sketches, then flats, and finally the polish stage across the book.

For this story, the pumpkin’s character evolved visually as the plot unfolded - starting out cheerful and round, then becoming sharper and cracked when he grows selfish, and finally returning to a softer shape as he learns and changes.

I do sketches in Procreate on my iPad, which lets me experiment freely and make adjustments quickly. I move to Photoshop for flats and polishing. I also love adding small cultural details, like patterns or colors, to bring a little more heart and identity into the illustrations.

For me, illustration is about rhythm, storytelling, and emotion. I want every page to make kids feel something—even without words.

How long does it take on average for you to finish a spread, from initial sketch to final colour?

On average, it takes me about 2 days to complete one spread, from the initial sketch to final color. That includes time for brainstorming, refining the drawing, laying down clean lines, adding color, and polishing the final details.

What do you hope children take away from your drawings?

I hope children feel seen, comforted, and inspired when they look at my illustrations. Whether it's a character who looks like them or a moment that feels familiar, I want them to feel a sense of belonging. I also hope my drawings spark curiosity, kindness, and empathy. If a child smiles, pauses to think, or feels just a little more understood because of my work—then I’ve done my job.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I love playing chess - it’s my daily obsession! I also enjoy coloring intricate patterns in my coloring books and spending quiet time with yoga and spiritual chants. These little rituals keep me grounded, inspired, and help me reconnect with myself between projects.

What are some of your favourite subjects to draw?

I love drawing expressive children, cultural clothing, whimsical animals, and cozy, nature-filled environments.I also really enjoy adding little cultural details hat make the scene feel more rooted and personal.