Alice Lockhart – Designer

I am an illustrator from London with an unusual imagination and a love of books. I have always been drawn to making pictures, being a particularly quiet child, pictures were able to communicate my inner life in a way that words alone couldn’t. I love books as they can contain entire hidden worlds, tucked away within a pocket.

I studied illustration at the University of Falmouth before being awarded a full scholarship to attend the drawing year at the Royal Drawing School. Having fun drawing, whether from my imagination or from life, has ever since been the foundation of my work.

A deep appreciation for craft and technique is really important to me, and as such I always work by hand, with pen, ink, and watercolour. I have a deep knowledge of the tools and materials that I use, built up over years of dedicated practice.

My images are inspired by nature, folklore, fantasy and fairytales. I love drawing everything weird and wonderful, so my pictures are populated by strange creatures and animals.

I've worked with clients including the Bad Sheep Yarn, Black Spring Press and the British Library on book projects, and my work was long-listed for the Folio Society Book Illustration Competition, Japanese Illustrators award and Science Fiction and Fantasy Illustrators of the Future Award.

In my role as a nursery teacher in a fully outdoor setting, I became enchanted with the world, seeing it once again through a child’s eyes as stones became dinosaur teeth and sticks transformed into magic wands. Reading book after book enabled me to discover the power of images for children, in their ability to communicate ideas before they can be fully understood verbally.

I love reading and discovering new narratives and imaginary worlds, if you have an idea feel free to get in touch so we can discuss how I can help you bring your book to life.