Christina Michalos

Christina Michalos – Designer

Αward-winning Children's Book Illustrator who specialises in the enchanting world of watercolour, digital art, and mixed media.

Overview

I am an award-winning children's book illustrator who specialises in the enchanting world of watercolour and mixed media. In the past 12 years, I have collaborated with over 15 traditional publishing houses in Greece and over 50 self-published authors worldwide.

I have also designed card and board games, and my illustrations are set to appear in an educational mobile and tablet app for children aged 3-6, which will launch in 2026 (can't say much yet! 🤫 )

Other clients include the EWC (European Writers Council), the American Coalition Against Childhood Cancer, Huffington Post Greece, and the National Book Centre of Greece.

Are you looking for an illustrator who can help you bring your book to life? Feel free to message me so we can discuss it! 📖✨🍂

TESTIMONIALS:

★★★★★

"Christina did an awesome job bringing my story to life! Her talent as a visual artist is second to none. Not only is she a great illustrator, but she also shines as a collaborator. She really is attentive, brilliant, and provides the best solution that will take your book to another level. I highly recommend working with her."

-- Germie B. Lazo, Author of "Dada-hood: Beautiful Chaos"

★★★★★

"I loved working with Christina! It is my first time writing a children's book and hiring an illustrator, and she couldn’t have been more helpful throughout the entire process. She was very thoughtful about all of her illustrations, the colors she used, and how it all worked together in the end. She had great suggestions when she thought another vision may work, but always ensured I was happy before moving on. I would work with her again in a heartbeat! Highly, highly recommend."

-- Brittney Spencer, author of "How Lucky am I?"

★★★★★

"If you are searching through reviews to find the perfect illustrator search no more, Christina is beyond exceptional. Not only is she highly talented and professional, she is personable. Christina created a safe space where we could share our thoughts and feedback freely. I greatly appreciate her wisdom on various topics far beyond illustration and look forward to working with her again in the future."

-- Books That Heal, publishers of "The Adventures of Kaitlyn & AJ", in collaboration with the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer and the Children's Brain Tumour Project

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • Pan-European Design and Innovation Award – Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning, and Religious Affairs, in collaboration with the European Commission Representation in Greece and the European Association of Teachers (AEDE), awarded through the 29th National and 56th Pan-European Competition for the European Day of Schools (EaS), 2009
  • Illustrated Book Distinction and Publication – Patakis Publications, awarded through the 7th Patakis Publishing Writing Competition, 2009
  • National Literature & Illustration Award – Kid's Fun Magazine, in collaboration with the National Book Centre of Greece (EKEBI), 2004
Certifications
  • Diploma in Ancient Greek and Roman Mythology - University of Cambridge
  • BA in Early Childhood Education

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2015 — Present
Over a decade of experience illustrating for both traditional publishing houses in Europe and self-publishing authors. Specialised in watercolour, mixed media, and digital techniques for storybooks and educational titles targeting ages 0–12. Expertise in cover design, typography, and book formatting. • Illustrated and designed multiple published titles, including projects featured on TV (Celebrating Artistry: Healthcare Heroes ABCs on YurView Virginia) • Showcased work at the Family Room Summer Festival in Laytonsville (JamGuy and the Great Outdoors series by Matthew Benedick) • Collaborated with Books That Heal, an organisation that empowers paediatric patients with life-threatening illnesses and helps them become published authors.

Memento Publications

Jun, 2025 — Aug, 2025 (2 months)
Illustration, typesetting, formatting, and production management for Memento Publications in Greece. Overseeing book layout, interior design, ISBN integration, and full production workflow for the book "A Party for All!" (To be published in October 2025)

Papadopoulos Publications (Greece)

Jun, 2025 — Jul, 2025 (about 2 months)
Illustration, typesetting, and layout design for educational workbooks for children ages 6-8.

Self-employed

Oct, 2021 — Present
Creating watercolour seamless patterns for children’s products (clothing, diapers, notebooks, calendars) and licensing designs to companies and shops in the UK and France.

Etsy

Apr, 2017 — Jun, 2024 (about 7 years)
Designed and sold journal stickers, collectibles, calendars, personalised pet prints, enamel pins, Procreate brushes, and other creative products.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Noah's Rainbow Promise: Adventures at Rugged Cross Ranch

Lamont, Bobby

Independently published

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
How Lucky Am I?

Spencer, Brittney

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Home Run!: A Sports Book for Kids & Early Readers (Little Champs Books™)

Levy, Michael

Little Champs Books

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Dada-hood: Beautiful Chaos

Lazo Jr., Mr. Germie Bautista

Bondega

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design Production Management
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
The Adventures of Kaitlyn & AJ

Denoga, AJ

Chalfant Eckert Publishing

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Where's your bed, sleepyhead?

Ross, Stacey

Stacey Ross

Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Typography Book Interior Design

Christina has 7 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

EVANGELIA S.

EVANGELIA S.

Aug, 2025

Pinned
Working with Christina has been a truly wonderful experience. She handled the project with professionalism and delivered exactly what we had agreed, while the quality of her illustrations exceeded all my expectations. Her work is full of life and perfectly captures the spirit of the stories. The ...
Read more
Amy N.

Amy N.

Nov, 2025

Working with Christina was such a great experience. Her artwork was exactly what I had hoped for--so cute, full of personality, and perfect for my story. She really brought my characters to life in the sweetest way. She was also incredibly patient and kind throughout the whole process. I asked fo...
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Logan B.

Logan B.

Nov, 2025

Absolutely Outstanding Illustrator! Working with Christina has been nothing short of a dream. As a first-time children’s book author, I was nervous about the illustration process and had so many questions — but Christina met me with endless patience, warmth, and professionalism every step of the...
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Bob B.

Bob B.

Oct, 2025

Christina was a complete joy to work with. She is very professional and care deeply about delivering a quality product that meets my needs. I look forward to working with her again in the future.
Courtney S.

Courtney S.

Oct, 2025

Christina was fantastic! Through all my anxieties and silly questions being a first time author she exceeded my expectations. She was perfectly prompt and made a point to communicate with me every step of the contract! Her typography and editing were phenomenal and I would highly recommend her fo...
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Most recent contributions

What, in your opinion, is most important to remember when illustrating for children's books?

Always see the world through the child’s eyes. When I’m illustrating a children’s book, I try to align myself with that sense of exaggeration that kids feel so naturally. Is the main character feeling happy? Then everything around him is colourful and alive! Is he feeling anxious? Then maybe th...
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