Yusuke Watanabe

Had fun painting with oil pastels and gouache over the weekend! Mungyo oil pastels are actually really good!

#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration #oilpastelsdrawing #mungyooilpastel

While waiting for feedback on my tight sketch and color sample, I was fighting a bit of imposter syndrome. I tried to distract myself by reading, but the editors and art director gave me such encouraging feedback! Now it’s time to stop reading and dive in to finish the rest of the final artwork!

Totally forgot about #KidLitPostcardDay this month, too busy watching the MLB playoffs! So here’s the one I posted recently!

Hi Brian, thank you for the open call, I’d love to be considered for a magical Christmas book!
Here's some examples of my work, and you can view more at yusukewatanabe.com

Thanks again!

Illustration of a girl looking up at a blooming cherry tree on a hill

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!

More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

A fennec fox, harlequin rabbit and a polar bear are sliding down a snowy slope. The bear is worried, the fox is happy and the rabbit is rolling in a snowball having the time of its life. Written below is Rumena Najchevska, Illustrator, rumenan.com

Hey #KidLitArtPostcard day, I'm Rumena and I love drawing creatures (in all kinds of predicaments)!

Have a sneak peek of the latest book I illustrated, Wishing You Rainbows by Sheri Fink, preorders up!

Talk to me about my November/January slots!

Find some of my work at: rumenan.com

#DigitalArt

Two little frogs enjoy a sweet summer evening by the campfire at the pond with marshmallows in hand.

It's #KidLitArtPostcard Day🌟I'm Clary—a #kidlit #illustrator based in the U.S.

Open for projects in 2026, including PB, BB, editorials, and any kids’ art-related ventures! Let’s work together on your next project 👋

✨ Rep’d by Tracy Marchini @bookendsliterary.bsky.social
🖥️ claryillustration.com

Three kids riding on a back of a giant anteater. One is taking a photo of the anteater’s face, middle kid is happily raising hands in the air, third kid is afraid to fall from anteater’s tail. The anteater is very unhappy and cranky

Dear editors and art directors, this is my first #kidlitartpostcard done fully on paper! 🎨

I’m Yara, an illustrator who’s super excited to work on new books with traditional mediums!

Updated portfolio: odnatamyara.com
I’m proudly represented by Jem Chambers-Black at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Happy #internationaldogday !!

Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis

An illustration of a kid taking a little break with a cup of tea.

✏️ Progress update ✏️
Just sent off the tight sketches of PB to the editor!
Now it’s time for a little breather until the feedback comes in...

But actually, I need to dive right into another project! Juggling different works is challenging, but also one of the fun parts of being creative!

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!

More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Thank you, highly recommend!

A small physical dummy book used to test the flow and rhythm of illustrations by flipping through the pages.

I always make a small physical dummy book to check if the flow and beat of illustrations works by flipping through the pages!

Got feedback on my rough sketches for PB and and I'm so excited to polish them up!! It was really tough at first, but now I finally see where I'm headed!!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis

Please check out our new lookbook!!

Samples of my illustrations

Happy #portfolioday ✨

Hi, I'm Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator! I’m available for new picture books, board books, and book covers to illustrate!

My portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Thank you!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis

An illustrator working on sketches for a picture book at his desk.

Can’t share anything just yet, but first sketch pass for TURTLE ON THE TARMAC (by @annettepimentel.bsky.social ) is done!

I’m excited to hear what my editor and design team think!

The image is just me working on sketches for a picture book at my desk🖍️

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!

More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Purple prickly pear cactus in the desert with lots of purples. Red desert hills in the background, tall saguaro in the middle-ground.

It's #KidLitArtPostCard day! Hi, I'm Crystal Smith. I love nature & neon—bright colors and bold worlds.
Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social
Portfolio: www.heycrystalsmith.com

#kidlitart #kidlitillustrator #kidlitpostcard #kidlitillustration #picturebooks #cankidlit

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! Im Laura Sprtel, children’s book author/illustrator. I love illustrating make believe play! I’m available for board books through middle grade covers. This is a scene from my #pb about bravery, SIR MAX AND THE BASEMENT OF DOOM. 🐉🗡️👑
#kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator

Kid inventing a lost things finder

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day
I’m srinidhi, a #kidlit illustrator and I love drawing kids, their inventions and discoveries.
Here’s jess and her lost things finder!

I’m open to #picturebooks #middlegrade Interiors and covers!

View my work www.srinidhidraws.com
#kidlitart #picturebookart

Thank you!

Hello #kidlitartpostcard day! I am Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese illustrator. The rainy season is coming soon in Japan, it's called Tsuyu (梅雨). A perfect inspiration for illustrations!

More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

#kidlitart

Did you grow up with pets other than cats and dogs? If so, what pets?

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day. My name is Mark Hoffmann and I’m a kidlit author/illustrator. I am rep’d by Jenn Laughran (@literaticat) with @andreabrownlit.

#kidlitpostcard #kidlitartpostcardday
#kidlit #kidlitart #illustration

Illustration of a giant squid, a duckling and a kid in a bathtub. The squid is looking curious trying to get the attention of the kid with its tentacles. The child is looking right at us in fear. The duckling is standing between the two, wings spread out, trying to defend the kid.

Happy June #kidlitartpostcard 🌞

My name is Denis and I’m an #kidlit illustrator who sometimes also writes. I like bold linework, wonky shapes, and limited palettes.

📚 Rep’d by Susan Hawk (US) and Emily Talbot (UK)
🌐 www.denisillustrates.com

Brushes by Jason Heeley (linked in the comments)

Hello #kidlitartpostcard ! I am Charlene Chua & I illustrate books for kids.

🌟Open for 2026 projects for PB, GN, board & chapter books🌟

Portfolio - charlenechua.com
Agent - Tracy Marchini @bookendsliterary.bsky.social

#kidlitart #kidlit

Thank you so much!

Tried to capture the mood of a storm in this piece. The heavy sky, pouring rain, crashing waves. Hope the feeling comes through!

More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration

Thank you so much for sharing this! I will definitely do it!

It was really fun to make this art! You are truly an inspiration!