I’ve always been fascinated by classic children’s books like those by Beatrix Potter, Brian Peterson, or Chris Dunn. Their illustrations beautifully combine a sense of coziness with a magical atmosphere, taking you back to your childhood. Unfortunately, today it seems that fewer illustrators work in traditional techniques, creating art reminiscent of the beloved classics.

The modern market is filled with bright, cartoonish, dynamic illustrations that certainly have their value. Yet I often wonder: are we losing the depth, calmness, and magic that traditional styles can provide?

This question led me to develop my own unique technique. My style resembles watercolor with paper texture, soft colors, and a blend of realism and whimsical charm. However, it’s fully digital, making the illustrations more flexible and easier to edit.

After completing my first book in this style, the editor told me:
"I searched for you for three months all over the world."

This story made me wonder: is it truly that hard to find illustrators working in classic styles? After doing some research, I realized the answer is yes. There are only a handful of such artists, and I’m proud to be one of them.

If you’re on the lookout for a classic illustrator, here are some tips and places where you might find the right artist for your project:

Where to Find a Classic Illustrator

1. Online Platforms: (not recommend)
   Platforms like Behance and Dribbble are fantastic for discovering artists, but classic illustrators are rare there. Despite trying various filters and keyword combinations, I couldn’t find much in the way of traditional styles.

2. Agencies: (not recommend)
   Illustration agencies are abundant, but I’ve noticed their portfolios often feature similar styles. This is likely because agencies prefer interchangeable artists to ensure consistency.

3. Social Media:
   The most effective platforms for finding illustrators turned out to be Instagram and Facebook.

   • Instagram:
     Pages like primmieworldofficial, britta_viking_angel, and merrymakingandmirth regularly showcase illustrations in classic styles and tag the artists. That’s how I discovered these talented illustrators:

     • emilyduffincountryillustration
     • ellie_hooi_illustration
     • eobrownart
     • studio.zosara

     Useful hashtags:
     #vintageillustration, #nostalgicillustration, #vintageart, #traditionalillustration, #timelessart

   • Facebook:
     The page Primmie’s World is another great resource for finding and connecting with artists.

A Note for Authors

One of my recent clients confirmed how challenging it was for her to find a classic illustrator. That’s why I decided to share these tips to help authors looking for art filled with warmth and nostalgia.

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a direct message. I’ll be happy to help! Let’s turn the tide back toward classic, magical, and cozy illustrations together.

Warm regards,
Victoria Mikki
@victoria_mikki