Spot Illustrations for Books & Editorial

Spot Illustrations: Small Details That Shape a Story

Spot illustrations play a quiet but important role in books. They sit alongside text rather than overpower it, guiding the reader through a page, marking pauses in a narrative, and adding moments of visual meaning.

My spot illustrations are hand drawn and created to support storytelling within books, journals and editorial layouts. They are designed to work as chapter openers, section dividers, framing elements and decorative motifs, helping to structure content while adding warmth and personality.

Unlike full-page illustrations, spot illustrations work through subtlety. A wreath can introduce a new chapter, a bird can act as a visual pause between sections, and a small motif can reinforce the tone of a text without interrupting the reader's flow. These details are especially effective in poetry, non-fiction, gift books and illustrated essays, where rhythm and emotional connection matter.

Colour plays an important role in my spot illustration work. While spot illustrations are often associated with black-and-white line drawings, contemporary publishing increasingly uses colour to create mood, accessibility and visual interest. My use of colour is intentional and restrained, allowing each illustration to enhance the page while remaining flexible for different layouts.

All of the illustrations shown here can be adapted in scale, colour or placement depending on the project.

They can be used individually or developed into cohesive illustration systems that run throughout an entire book, creating consistency and visual rhythm from cover to final page.

These illustrations reflect my wider approach to book illustration: thoughtful, human, and rooted in storytelling. They are designed not just to decorate a page, but to quietly support the reader's experience.