Illustrator Portfolio Websites | Tips and Examples
We all know the saying, “images are worth a thousand words.” Let us help you get your illustrations noticed with these top portfolio tips for illustrators.
June 18, 2021
Zi Xu
Theme used: PointZi Xu was born on the island of Hainan, China, but grew up in the US. She graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2018 with a BFA in Illustration and Art History and currently works as a freelance illustrator in the entertainment industry. Like her background, my work is inspired by a mix of Classical Chinese ink painting and 1950’s American editorial illustration.
https://www.ziqqix.comJamie Kemp
Theme used: ArrayJamie Kemp is an aspiring Illustrator that explores both fun and stylised ideas through a growing original series of illustrations while also taking a more realistic but still stylised approach to a large collection of still life studies. Jamie's varied approach to each study or original Illustration means that his work can often change from image to image with him exploring certain ideas through slightly differing styles.
https://portfolio-sczfrzp.format.comAna-Gabriela Stroe
Theme used: CurveAna-Gabriela Stroe is a Romanian Artist, Illustrator, and Painter. Raised in Transylvania, then moved to Denmark right after highschool, where she studied Graphic Design at UCN (Aalborg). With over a decade of experience, Ana has been constantly expanding her creative pursuits within a broad array: from illustrating children’s books to hand painted skateboard art. Ana draws influence from a number of sources, but namely 90’s cartoons, street art and a general love for life and colour.
https://www.anagabriela.meDanielle Habert
Theme used: CurveDanielle Habert is an illustrator and painter based in Brooklyn, New York. She works across a range of styles, including children’s books, editorial illustration, and portraiture. Her work spans both traditional and digital media, with a strong focus on storytelling that is playful, thoughtful, and emotionally engaging. Through her illustrations, Danielle brings ideas to life in ways that connect with audiences of all ages.
https://www.daniellehabert.comFiorella Quaranta
Theme used: PeakFiorella Quaranta is an Argentine illustrator based in Barcelona. With over 13 years of experience in the fashion industry as a textile print designer, she has worked with numerous brands across different countries before fully dedicating herself to illustration, focusing on editorial, advertising and fashion. Her work is defined by expressive, personality-driven characters — often feminine — brought to life through bold colors, layered compositions, and a vibrant sense of energy.
https://www.fiorellaquaranta.comJames Gilbert
Theme used: ObjectJim is a graphic artist living in Cumbria, UK. Jim has worked for 20 years as a graphic designer and creative director in Manchester and across the UK. After moving to Cumbria to renovate a 200-year-old water mill with his wife and young family, Jim rediscovered a joy for drawing and combined this with his passion for football and graphic arts. Jim has created editorial illustrations for Glory and Mundial Magazine amongst others.
https://www.jimag.ukIllustration Portfolio Tips: Start With Clear Goals
Starting a website can feel intimidating, especially when you don't know where to start. The best way to establish your professional illustration portfolio is a clear goal in mind and a plan. Here’s where you can start: what's the purpose of your website? It's likely to attract new clients or show off your creative work for job opportunities. In that case, you want to craft a plan that will get you the results you want.
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Start your free accountAbee Lin
Theme used: CoatAbee Lin is an illustrator and tattoo artist from Taiwan/Japan, recently starting a new chapter of life in New York City. Her work drifts between ink on skin and images on paper, where drawing, memory, and storytelling meet. She has a soft spot for the strange and the elegant, shaping a visual language that feels both subtle and a little playful. She often sums it up with the words: “Sometimes draw something, sometimes nothing.” She is open to collaborations and commissions, always!
https://www.abeelin.comHenry Rivers
Theme used: AmazonBest know for his playful, minimalist posters, Henry Rivers is an illustrator with a passion for travel. Working in a combination of hand-painted and digital techniques, Henry creates richly textured artworks with a sense of calm and escapism. Originally from the Isle of Wight, Henry is currently living and working in London. His artwork has been exhibited in 18 different countries and appeared on wine bottles, book covers and airline trolleys.
https://www.henryrivers.comRicky Leung
Theme used: OrderRicky Leung is a freelance illustrator and designer from Toronto, Canada.
https://www.rickyleungart.comColleen OHara
Theme used: HueColleen OHara is a freelance digital illustrator with an interest in portraits, politics and current affairs. Also she loves cute stuff, critter and enjoys solving creative conundrums for clients.
https://www.colleenohara.comYuval Robichek
Theme used: OrderYuval Robichek, a Tel Aviv based artist, creates illustrations for magazines, books, murals, fashion and TV projects. He studied “Humor in Arts” at the School of Visual Arts, New York. His work has been exhibited in Tel Aviv and Brussels, and has been published in publications such as Forbes, VICE and Time Out amongst others.
https://www.yuvalrob.comAlena Webber
Theme used: PeakAlena is a freelance illustrator and artist based in Vancouver, Canada. As a queer, bipolar, and Indigenous Canadian artist, she embraces the complexities of self-discovery and identity in her work. She explores the human and collective experience—how the world around us is shaped, changed, and redefined over time, just as we are.
https://www.alenawebber.comIllustration Projects For Portfolio: Highlight Your Best Work
Rather than sharing every artwork work you've ever done, think about curating your portfolio to showcase your best work instead. We've said it before plenty of times, but your illustration portfolio is only as strong as your weakest work, which means you want your best work to shine through. Cluttering your website with subpar projects will only bring down your overall achievements. If you're not sure what to include in your portfolio, consider the type of work you'd like to do and cater your website to appeal to those types of projects. Don't forget to ask colleagues who will give you honest and constructive feedback about your chosen pieces.
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Theme used: PeakMaria Miró is an illustrator and graphic designer based in Barcelona. She is inspired by nature and loves to create pieces full of colour.
https://www.mmiros.comMichelle Dao
Theme used: PeakMichelle Dao (she/her) is a Vietnamese Canadian illustrator based just outside Toronto, Ontario, who has primarily worked in animation. She is a graduate of Seneca College’s Illustration program, specializing in children’s illustrations and media. Michelle has a passion for creating enthralling worlds, charming characters, and dreamy colour palettes.
https://www.michelledaoart.comHANNA
Theme used: PeakHanna was born in South Korea and spent her formative years traveling to China and Japan. She has been interested in the diverse artistic cultures of East Asia. She is settling in Italy now, immersing herself in the depths of Italian art, which became a significant role in her work. After graduating in comic art at college, she worked as an illustrator and cartoonist. She is expanding her focus to traditional oil painting right now.
https://www.hannahanna.meONIONLABS
Theme used: MediumNelson Wu is a Chinese Canadian artist who is interested in animation and video games. Graduating from OCAD University, he is currently working in the gaming and entertainment industry. He has produced a variety of illustrations, pixel art, and animations. A sense of dystopia, nostalgia, and surrealism are often themes present in Nelson’s work.
https://nelsonwu-art.format.comSerena Valerio
Theme used: ClaritySerena Valerio is currently a student at Sheridan College studying Illustration and mainly focusing on Motion Graphics. Her main goal when making work is to put a smile on anyone's face who views her creations. She loves combining flat shapes and bright colours to create simple and light-hearted designs. Thank you !
https://www.serenavalerio.comHeather Storm
Theme used: AmazonHeather Storm is a Washington based illustrator and printmaker. She has over a decade of experience working in fine art publishing. Heather's body of work is inspired by our wild spaces and public lands. She love sharing her work through selling Giclée and Letterpress cards and prints.
https://www.heather-storm.comIllustration Tips For Beginners: Create Consistently
Whenever you plan a creative portfolio, we ask beginner illustrators what type of work they'd like to get into. Often, the answer is "I don't know." The best way to get around this is to try a breath of projects and see what area of illustration you enjoy working in. The truth is, the only way to find out is to produce work consistently and to try a wide range of styles and project types from comics, product illustrations, book covers, and animations.
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Start your free accountRenaud Lavency
Theme used: Horizon LeftRenaud Lavency is a freelance illustrator, character designer and animation director. Before going freelance, Renaud was a concept provider in an advertising agency and he still loves playing with concepts and ideas. His way of making things is quite simple: have fun and find a challenge in every project.
https://www.renaudlavency.comMatt Panuska
Theme used: SharpMatt Panuska is an Artist, Illustrator, and Woodcarver. He was raised in west Texas, and attended the School of Visual Arts in New York. Matt draws influence from a number of sources, but namely Americana folk art, psychedelia, outsider, and visionary art.
https://www.mattpanuska.comSam Ashley
Theme used: SharpAt Dishustle, creative work is led by graphic artist Sam Ashley. With hundreds of marketing and publishing projects produced throughout his career, Sam strives to keep pushing into fresh forms of visual communication. His current drive is in defining a new, authentic pixel style of vector art.
https://www.dishustle.comPac23
Theme used: ApertureFrancisco "Paco" Perez, is an illustrator/designer based in Miami, FL. Pac is an 80's kid who lives in a world which evokes an overriding sense of imagination made up of robots and flying tattooed animals who rock. Same place where comic books and urban art meets video games. His inspirations cross the spectrum from reality to imaginary with a colorful flair.
https://www.pac23art.comFengYe
Theme used: DaylightYunjie Huang (artist name as FengYe) is a passionate and creative illustrator, graphic designer and ceramic artist based in London. As a critical thinker and talented researcher, she draws inspiration from numerous sources and use visual language to translate abstract concepts into artistic creations. Her personal style focuses more towards dreamy, soft and whimsical concepts with surrealistic undertones.
https://www.fengyesart.netJustin Keys
Theme used: FrameJustin Keys, a native of Mendenhall, Mississippi, has risen to prominence as a highly influential artist and graphic designer in Indianapolis. His captivating work and unique style have captured the hearts of many, leaving a lasting impact on the art scene of the city. Through his innovative approach and dedication to his craft, Justin has become a beacon of inspiration for aspiring artists in the community.
https://keysthelegendarts.format.comDigital Illustration Tips: Regularly Update Your Portfolio
Your life experiences, artistic influences, and project work will continue to shape your creative style, which is why you must regularly update your digital illustration portfolio to reflect your work. Stylistic trends will also change over time, so you want to show potential clients that you can maintain relevance in your work. Try to keep your portfolio pieces recent within a 2–3 year timeframe.
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Start your free accountVan Wentz Visuals
Theme used: ReelHailing from Cleveland Ohio, Van Wentz is a gifted illustrator and portraitist whose work is respected for being full of passion, and perspective. He uses graphite pencils to produce the appearance and feel of both old Hollywood film and rich monochrome photography, pushing artistic boundaries. Van Wentz's pencil portraits flawlessly merge reality and imagination, leaving you awed by his artistic vision and meticulous attention to detail. His art is a remarkable addition to any collection.
https://van-wentz-visuals.format.comGeo Law
Theme used: AmazonGeo Law is a London based British born Chinese illustrator who uses a blend of doodle and character art to create little worlds with texture and detail. He has worked for notable global brands from Taco Bell, Google and Kiehl's to name a few. His work is inspired by retro video games, comic books and hiphop music and is fuelled by curiosity and pots of coffee.
https://www.geolaw.co.ukMichael Yoshimura
Theme used: RhythmMichael Yoshimura - Concept Artist. His passion lies in combining the mediums of cinematography, CG, and architecture - communicating spatial design through visual narratives and multi-media. Michael received his Bachelor & Master of Architecture from the Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism. Michael has also studied in Spain at Universidad Europa de Madrid.
https://myoshimura.format.comJavi Aznarez
Theme used: PeakBased in Cadaqués, Spain, Javi Aznarez worked as a cartoonist in Paris for four years, before making the decision to leave the city and settle in a quiet town on the Spanish coast, surrounded by nature. He runs the gallery Taller de Tabakov. Recently he has been working in collaboration with Wes Anderson for The French Dispatch.
https://www.javiaznarez.comLazuli Ray
Theme used: ChromaLazuli Ray is a graphic designer/illustrator from Texas. They have been designing and illustrating since they were a teenager, for over 10 years. Lazuli obtained their Associates in Art degree in December 2014, and completed their BFA in Painting and Drawing from UTSA in May 2022,
https://lazuliraydesigns.format.comSheena Holm
Theme used: ApertureSheena Holm is a concept artist living in Los Angeles. They are currently working with ForeVR Games, creating environments, props, and marketing assets. As a graduate of Art Center College of Design, their background consists of ten years of freelance work for theme parks and games.
https://www.sheenaholm.comIllustration Tips For Beginners: Take On Work That Aligns With You
If a project comes your way that you're truly not excited about, learn how to pass it up gracefully. While it may feel like you need to take on all the projects that come across your desk as you start your career as an illustrator, you must learn to only take on work that aligns with your goals. Otherwise, you risk producing sub-par work for projects you're not as excited about, and it won't be helpful to building your portfolio.