Hi, I’m Adela!
I’m a children’s book illustrator and picture book author based in Calgary, Canada. I work with authors, publishers and brands around the world.
Most of my work is for young readers. I write and illustrate my own picture books, starting with I’m Not a Sausage, and with Granny Spidey coming next. I’ve also illustrated books for other authors, including The Nibbles and The Nibbles and the Chocolate Hotel by Michelle Lee Fitchett.
Alongside picture books, I illustrate book covers, animals and food. I also have a background in traditional figurative fine art, so I can take on portraits and more complex subjects in a realistic style.
How I work
You’re involved at every step. We start with rough sketches, move on to a flat colour version, and finish with the detailed final artwork. Each stage gets your approval before I move to the next, so there are no surprises at the end. Just an illustration we’re both proud of.
My paintings
If you’d like to see my figurative oil paintings, you can find them at adelacreative.com.
Let’s work together
I’m always happy to hear about new projects, whether it’s a picture book, a cover or something else entirely. Email me at hello@fatpepperillustration.com.
Awards & Prizes
2021
¡Muchas gracias, Madrid! | Second Prize Winner
Selected as a finalist and awarded Second Prize in the ¡Muchas gracias, Madrid! illustration competition, organised by EL PAÍS and PRISA. My illustration was chosen to decorate one of 40 life-size replicas of Madrid’s iconic Bear and Strawberry Tree (El Oso y el Madroño), which were displayed throughout the city as part of a public art exhibition. The project received widespread media coverage, featuring in some of Spain’s leading newspapers and media outlets, including EL PAÍS and Cadena SER.
Questions people ask
Do you do school and library visits?
Yes! I would love to visit schools, libraries and educational events to share my love of illustration and storytelling. Visits can be tailored to different age groups, from preschoolers to primary school children, and can include interactive storytelling, drawing and illustration workshops, and a behind-the-scenes look at how a picture book is created.
To arrange a visit, workshop or event, please get in touch through my contact page to discuss availability, age groups and format. I would be delighted to create a fun and engaging experience for young readers!
Can you illustrate my book?
Yes. Have a look at my illustration services for packages and prices, then get in touch. I can tailor my illustrations to meet your specific project needs.
Where can I buy your books?
My books are available on Amazon worldwide, including Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and other regional Amazon stores, in paperback and Kindle editions. You can also find them on Lulu.
What do you use to make your pictures?
I create most of my illustrations digitally using Procreate on the iPad, where I sketch, draw, paint and add the finishing details. I love the flexibility of digital illustration, but I’m also keen to bring more traditional mediums, such as pencil, watercolour and other textures, into my creative process in the future. I enjoy experimenting with different techniques to give my illustrations warmth, character and a handmade feel.
Let’s make something
Commissions, school visits and press. Tell me what you have in mind and we can take it from there.