Illustrations by Kim

07/09/2026

From a little moment in nature… to this 🦋❤️

A few weeks ago I photographed this beautiful Red Admiral and knew almost immediately that I wanted to try and recreate it.

What started as a few white lines on a blank sheet of Pastelmat slowly became layers and layers of greens, tiny leaf veins, damaged edges and, finally, that unmistakable flash of red and orange. 🧡

This one definitely tested my patience at times 😂 but I absolutely loved getting lost in all those tiny details.

And now it’s finished, signed and framed. 🥹

There’s something really special about taking a photograph of a tiny moment I’ve noticed out in nature and turning it into a piece of art I can keep.

I think this might be one of my favourites yet. 🦋🌿

Swipe to see where it started ➡️

Original Red Admiral artwork | Soft pastel & pastel pencil

Which do you enjoy seeing more — the finished piece or all the messy stages in between? ❤️

04/09/2026

My first ever craft fair! 🥹🌿✨

Today was a little milestone for Illustrations by Kim — my first time packing up my artwork, taking it out of my little spare-room studio and putting it on a table for people to actually see in real life!

I was so nervous this morning, but I’m so glad I did it. ❤️

I sold 7 cards, chatted to some lovely people and learnt lots for next time.

Technically, after treating myself to a coffee and cake, I finished the day £1 down… 😂☕🍰
Business is booming.

But honestly? Today wasn’t really about making lots of money. It was about taking that first step, putting myself and my artwork out there and actually doing something I’ve been talking about doing for months.

First craft fair ✔️
And definitely not my last. 🌿

Thank you to everyone who stopped, looked, chatted or bought one of my little creations — it genuinely meant so much. ❤️

@

28/07/2026

23/07/2026

🐞 A little bit of summer…

One of my favourite things about this time of year is spotting tiny ladybirds making their way through the garden. They’re such a small reminder to slow down and notice the little things around us.

I created this little ladybird a few months ago using soft pastels on Pastelmat paper, but somehow never got around to sharing it.

So here he is… finally making his little debut. ❤️

I hope he brings a little splash of colour to your day.

If you’ve spotted any ladybirds lately, let me know where. 🐞☀️

10/07/2026

Some paintings come easily.

This wasn’t one of them.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gone back to this piece, tweaking, changing and questioning every tiny detail. The first version was even “helpfully” edited by Betsan (aka my🫚🥷🏻❤️) which meant starting all over again.

There were so many moments I nearly gave up on it. I almost convinced myself it belonged in the bin because all I could see were the imperfections.

But sometimes the hardest part of creating isn’t making the artwork… it’s knowing when to stop chasing perfection.

So today I’m choosing to let it be exactly what it is.

A reminder that not everything has to be flawless to be worth keeping.

Sometimes persistence, patience and a little bit of perspective create something far more meaningful than perfection ever could.

🧡

Two loves - Bullfinches
Soft pastels (Rembrandt & Faber-Castell) on
Clairefontaine Pastelmat

If you’ve ever been stuck between giving up and giving something one more try… this one’s for you.

❤️

28/06/2026

Life has felt a bit like tangled barbed wire lately.

So I’ve been spending less time online and more time doing things that quieten the noise in my head.

Art is one of those things.

I’ve been working on some exciting plans behind the scenes that I’m hoping to share later this year, but for now I wanted to share this little bluetit.

A reminder that even during difficult seasons, there is still beauty to be found in slowing down and appreciating the little things.

Thank you for being here. 💙

This piece was created using soft pastels on Pastelmat paper, one of my favourite surfaces to work on for capturing fine details and soft feather textures.

Most of my art supplies come from Case Art Supplies, who are always brilliant for pastel and coloured pencil artists.

Kim x

15/04/2026

Happy World Art Day 🎨✨

This piece is currently a work in progress — a painted lady resting on a bloom, created with soft pastels. There’s something really special about capturing these quiet, delicate moments in nature, and I’m enjoying every layer as it comes together.

Today feels like the perfect moment to pause and reflect on how far I’ve come, and more importantly, the people who’ve helped me along the way. I’ve been lucky to connect with some incredibly talented and kind artists recently — your support, encouragement, and creativity have genuinely inspired me more than you probably realise.

Art can sometimes feel like a solitary journey, but moments like this remind me it’s anything but. So thank you — for sharing your work, your advice, and your energy. It means the world 🤍 you Y Tŷ Celf - The Art House are ♥️

06/04/2026

My new piece
Something I haven’t tried before
A coastal view inspired by a family trip to Cornwall ❤️
Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions for a next artwork

04/04/2026

How my artwork looks in a real home ♥️

This is how I’ve styled my artwork in my kitchen —layered, colourful, and full of character 🧡

If you’re looking to bring some life and colour to your home, this is your sign ✨
Message me for available pieces 💌

Art doesn’t have to match perfectly… it just has to make you feel something ✨