Hand-Drawn Illustration: My Intentional Choice

What You See Isn’t Always What It Seems

Scroll through social media – Facebook, Instagram – and chances are you’ll come across an image that’s clearly not a hand-drawn illustration, but something overly polished. Or downright fake.
On online marketplaces too, posters and other products are increasingly filled with images that seem appealing at first glance but turn out to be… odd. A cat with five legs. A human figure with fingers pointing in every direction. Something’s off – and that’s no coincidence.

The Flood of Visual Content

I also notice that many of these images are overly saturated or feature strange color combinations. As if someone simply cranked up the saturation and hoped for the best. You see it on wall art, mugs, phone cases – covered in visuals that feel out of balance or just plain chaotic.

Another common issue: the cropping. Key elements are cut off, or the composition makes no visual sense. And that’s not a minor detail. Understanding composition, color and visual flow isn’t something you pick up overnight. It’s a craft – something you grow into over the years by drawing, observing, adjusting, and trying again.

Why I Choose a Hand-Drawn Illustration

To me, illustration is a way of communicating. Telling a story without using words. And I can only do that if I come up with the idea myself, develop it with care, and finish it thoughtfully. That’s why I choose not to have my work automatically generated. Everything you see – every print, poster or artwork – is something I’ve created with intention. And maybe you can sense that too.

My work consists of hand-drawn illustrations. Sometimes I begin with a pencil sketch on paper, but more often I start digitally. I use a tablet or mouse in combination with the software Affinity Designer. Every line, shape and color is imagined by me and constructed by hand – digitally, but personally. No automated filters, no generative images, just real human creativity.

The Joy Is in the Process

The biggest reason I chose this profession is the joy I find in the creative process itself. Making something out of nothing – that, to me, is the most rewarding part. Not the final result, but the journey toward it: exploring ideas, making decisions, changing course, and eventually thinking: yes, this feels right.
You can’t replace that with a few lines of text typed into a system that spits out an image. There’s no wonder in that. No growth. No fulfillment.

From perspective lines to pencil sketch to final artwork – here’s a glimpse into the process behind my hand-drawn illustration.

Creativity Is Essential for the Future

Sometimes I worry about the future. About young people, kids, and generations to come. What if they no longer learn what it’s like to sketch something with a pencil? Or to paint an idea onto a blank canvas? There’s nothing quite like making something with your hands – drawing, crafting, experimenting. It brings joy.
Creativity isn’t a luxury. It contributes to a healthy, balanced life.

It may sound a bit heavy, but I believe a world without human creativity – without imagination, expression, and wonder – is a bleak one.

Technology as a Tool, Not a Substitute

I do see the value of technological progress. In the medical field, for example, artificial intelligence can save lives. And in creative processes, certain tools can be helpful at specific stages. But in my view, it should never replace the full human process of making. And that’s exactly what I see happening more and more.
Creation becomes production. And what makes something unique gets lost.

Original Hand-Drawn Art for Those Seeking the Real Thing

Whether it’s a vibrant art print, a nostalgic poster, or a set of cards – everything in my collection is conceived, hand-drawn and carefully finished by me. Original illustrations.
In a world where more and more visuals are generated with a single click, I consciously choose craftsmanship.

Curious to see how my work comes to life – from the first idea to the final piece? On my About page, I share more about my background as an illustrator and how I work.
In this blog post about my creative process, I take you step by step through how I work: from a rough sketch to digital refinement in Affinity Designer. Not automatically generated images, but illustrations built by hand with care and intention.

Why Hand-Drawn Illustration Still Matters

Looking for a unique hand-drawn illustration or artwork for your wall? Take a look at my shop, where you’ll find original art prints, posters, cards and bookmarks – everything is handmade, printed and shipped in my studio in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Art that tells a story, made with care. For those who choose genuine wall decor.

Thank you for your support – and for standing with human creativity. In a time where images are created faster and more easily than ever, it’s no longer a given that independent creators are still found. The internet is getting fuller. So is the market. And that’s exactly why I’m grateful you’re here.

By choosing my work, you choose a deliberate approach: artwork thoughtfully conceived, hand-illustrated, printed, packed and shipped – all by me. From the hand-drawn illustration itself to the handwritten thank-you note in the package. And that makes your support mean all the more.