Author: annalenaillustrations
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From research to finished art: How I illustrate Nonfiction books for kids
A behind-the-scenes look at how nonfiction book illustration gets made: from the first archive rabbit hole to the final collage spread. People often assume that illustrating a book starts with drawing. For me, it starts with reading. Before I pick up a pencil or cut a single piece of paper, I spend sometimes months reading.…
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When Vegetables Become Data
Project Rode Kool An illustrated map created for ‘Project Rode Kool – Rode kool als gids door Goudse grond‘, a citizen science and community art project by Johanna Weggelaar (Stichting Pollen) and Kristof Vrancken (KU Leuven). Twenty-three residents of Gouda grew red cabbage plants at different locations across the city; the variations in colour and…
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Japanese Food History
Self-initiated illustrated facts about the history of food in Japan, covering the stories behind the dishes you already love. A flour bag that crossed borders twice, the monk who accidentally started Japan’s udon obsession, how disaster shaped okonomiyaki, and the one very determined man with a garden shed who invented instant ramen. Research, writing, and…
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Food
Editorial and commercial food illustration for clients including Maisonette, pastry chef Molly J Wilkinson, and independent publishers. Combining hand-painted texture, paper collage, and digital finishing, these pieces range from recipe illustration to product and editorial work. Project details Clients: Maisonette, Molly J Wilkinson, Self-initiated · Scope: Editorial illustration + commercial · Available for: food editorial,…
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Honest History #19
Editorial illustrations for Honest History, an award-winning Australian children’s history magazine known for critical, visually rich storytelling. Issues 19 and 20 covered topics including wartime Japan and the independence movement, combining spot illustrations, character work, and full-spread editorial compositions. Project details Client: Honest History Magazine · Issues: 19 & 20 · Scope: Editorial illustration Available…
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The Big Book of Birthdays
What’s the one day a year that’s all about you? Your birthday, of course! From eating seaweed soup in Korea to playing ampe in Ghana, this engaging birthday book takes kids ages 7–9 on a global tour to see how different cultures mark the occasion. Written and illustrated by Anna Lena Feunekes, The Big Book of…
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Blackbeard
A self-initiated illustrated history of Edward Teach, the pirate known as Blackbeard. Research-led work exploring the legend alongside the documented history, developed as a pitch for a children’s nonfiction series. Project details Scope: Self-initiated · Format: Book pitch / editorial spread Looking for a nonfiction illustrator for a history project?
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Ancient History
Self-initiated illustrated facts about the Roman Empire and ancient Egypt, covering the history your teachers glossed over. Forgotten princesses, artificial hills hiding in plain sight, the truth about Roman soldiers and salt, and the surprising gender behind Roman love spells. Research, writing, and illustration by Anna Lena Feunekes, originally created for The Illustrated Kitchen newsletter.…
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Middle grade
I create book covers and line artwork for middle grade fiction. Projects below include Anne of Green Gables, Wizard of Earthsea and a self-initiated pitch project on bad girls from history. Looking for an illustrator for your next middle grade project?
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Picture books
Portfolio pieces include self-initiated character work, rendered in hand-painted collage. Project details Scope: Self-initiated + client · Medium: Hand-painted collage, paper texture, digital · Application: Children’s book characters · by Anna Lena Feunekes Looking for an illustrator for a children’s book project?