How the little things in life bring warmth and beauty to the art of Peilin Li

“Illustration is a powerful visual language, a bridge for storytelling and emotional connection,” says emerging talent Peilin Li.

Finding your own personal style is one of the biggest challenges young illustrators face, and the pressure to do so – from tutors, clients, and even the artists themselves – can be intense. But sometimes, the best way to find your style is to take a step back, let the pressure subside, and just do what comes naturally. That’s exactly what Peilin Li has done, and it’s resulted in major awards and rewarding client work.

“I was eager, maybe too eager, to figure it out. I experimented with countless techniques, hoping for a quick answer, but eventually I realised that style isn’t something you can force; it grows naturally through steady practice and accumulation,” says Peilin. “Focus on your concepts, your storytelling, and expressing yourself in the way that feels natural. With time, your style will reveal itself. And don’t dismiss your weak points, they might be the very things that make your work distinctive.”

For example, realistic figurative work was something Peilin struggled with. But instead of trying to push water uphill, so to speak, she pivoted to focus on a geometric approach to drawing the human body. Using simple shapes as the building blocks for more complex forms, her style has a folk art vibe to it. With the small, human touches Peilin adds to her illustrations, they hit the sweet spot with viewers, drawing them into the feeling of the piece and its narrative.

A key milestone in Peilin’s career was appearing as a winner in the Society of Illustrators’ 64th Annual in 2022. “At the time, I wasn’t confident in my work, and I felt shy about showing them publicly. I submitted with a ‘just try’ mindset, so winning was an incredible surprise,” she says. “It gave me the courage to create more freely and reminded me that there are people who connect with my work.”

Further awards have followed, and the recognition has led to clients taking notice of her portfolio. Peilin has collaborated with global brands such as Disney, Huawei, and Farfetch. She has also been broadening her practice to include motion design and branding work. “I want my illustrations to move, to feel more alive, and learning animation also taught me how to give even still images a sense of movement,” she says.

Yet there is simplicity at the heart of everything Peilin does, which stretches back to her childhood and her original creative inspiration – picture books. She would spend hours not just following the stories, but immersing herself in the backgrounds, the rich detail and elements hidden in the artworks that reveal more about the stories. The books she was most drawn to were about everyday life and the seemingly ordinary things that bring joy and comfort to us all.

“One that left a lasting impression was Ernest et Célestine by Gabrielle Vincent. It’s the story of an unlikely pair, a big bear and a little mouse, who become each other’s closest companions. Living together in a tiny attic, they face financial hardship yet still manage to find joy and warmth in the little things,” says Peilin. “That perspective inspired me to start recording life through illustration. Today, I hope my work shines a light on the small, beautiful details that often go unnoticed, offering viewers a sense of warmth, and perhaps even a touch of healing.”

Looking ahead, Peilin would like to see her illustrations become part of design systems. Equally, she’d like to create her own picture book. She’s also developing her style by experimenting with different forms of digital media, adding new textures and finding ways to integrate these into her compositions.

“I hope my style continues to evolve into something more layered and design-driven, blending multiple media to create unique textures and immersive storytelling experiences,” she says.