Welcome to Martin’s illustrated world!

Martin is a Bristol-based illustrator and character designer specialising in children’s books and playful, story-driven illustration. His artwork is warm, humorous and full of personality, combining hand-drawn charm with digital techniques.

A self-taught artist who has been drawing cartoons for as long as he can remember, Martin trained in animation at the Bristol School of Animation in 2006. After an unexpected 12-year career as a Railway Signalling Designer, he returned to his first love of drawing and storytelling and now works full-time as a freelance illustrator.

Martin enjoys creating playful illustrations that are lively, expressive and full of personality. His approach is strongly narrative, with a particular interest in character, emotion and visual storytelling for young audiences.

He is a published children’s book illustrator and with his first book, Levi Journey: An Unlikely Therapy Dog written by Julie Iribarren, was released in 2021. His most recent major project was the development of Dawn the Dinosaur™, an award-winning children’s book and teething toy range produced in collaboration with baby goods company Bibado. Martin illustrated and co-authored Dawn’s First Tooth, a playful picture book adventure following a curious baby dinosaur and her friends through the ups and downs of growing a first tooth.

Alongside book and product work, Martin also creates bespoke illustrations and character-led commissions, always working collaboratively to ensure the final artwork feels personal, engaging and fun.

Martin is an experienced workshop leader and regularly delivers illustration workshops for primary schools. These range from whole-school assemblies about art and illustration, to hands-on classroom sessions drawing characters, animals and imaginary worlds, as well as multi-day Art Week events, World Book Day workshops and after-school art clubs.

When he’s not drawing, Martin loves making music! He plays guitar, bass and drums, and regularly performs and records with his wife, Anna, herself a violinist and pianist. He lives in Bristol with Anna, their two children and two guinea pigs.

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