Picture Book Illustrator Portfolios I Love (A Growing List)
I'm working on my picture book portfolio this year.
Even though I've been an illustrator for years, I'm pushing myself into new territory—more people, more animals, more narrative work. The kind of illustrations that tell stories across spreads and make you want to turn the page.
As part of this journey, I've been doing what any artist does when they want to grow: looking at a lot of work. Not to copy, but to understand. To see how other illustrators approach character, mood, pacing, and that magical thing where images and words dance together.
This post is my research, shared with you.
Below you'll find portfolios from picture book illustrators whose work genuinely moves me. Some are award-winning names you might recognize. Others are emerging talents I stumbled upon and couldn't stop thinking about. What they all have in common is a unique creative perspective—a visual language and storytelling approach that feels entirely their own.
A few things to know about this list:
These are not ranked. I listed them as I discovered them, and that felt right. Art isn't a competition.
This list is growing. I add new portfolios as I find them, so you might want to bookmark this page and check back.
These choices are completely subjective. This isn't a "best of" or a comprehensive industry guide. It's simply work that resonates with me personally as I figure out my own picture book voice.
The Portfolios
Keep Going Together
If you're also working on your portfolio—picture books or otherwise—I know how solitary this work can feel. That's actually why I started hosting free virtual co-working sessions for artists.
It's called Drawing Room—a quiet space on Zoom where illustrators and artists show up to work on their own projects, cameras on, microphones off. No instruction, no critique, just gentle accountability and the energy of creating alongside others. It's free to join, and you can drop in whenever it works for your schedule.
Sometimes having company while you work makes all the difference.
Found a picture book portfolio you think belongs on this list? I'd love to hear about it—send me a note!
About Esther Nariyoshi
Hi, I'm Esther, a multidisciplinary illustrator and digital brush creator exploring all mediums, from paper to pixels. I've collaborated with Cloud9 Fabrics and MSU Broad Art Museum, and teach illustration process through Esther's Art Lab that bridges traditional and digital workflows, from paper to pixel.s
Skip the guesswork and find your digital match. Learn the entire illustration process from paper to pixels. See how Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator handle three projects, then choose the one that fits your style.
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Premium Digital Brushes for Artists: Created by an Illustrator, for Illustrators. These expertly crafted digital brushes are designed to enhance your artistic workflow in digital illustration.
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