Carys Wright
Hello! I'm Carys, a writer and illustrator living and working in London, UK.
I grew up spending a lot of time listening to story tapes, drawing from my imagination, making things out of cardboard, and bossing my teddies around. I studied English and Drama at Trinity College Dublin — torn between art school and drama school — and after graduating worked as an actor and theatre maker for years, still doing the odd illustration job on the side: designing posters, painting sets.
When Covid shut theatres in 2020, I rediscovered my love of drawing from life. I filled sketchbooks drawing my local park over lockdown, and gradually shifted direction. Over the past five years I've illustrated picture books, had some big corporate gigs, built a line of printed products, and taken live portraits to art markets around London.
The sketchbook habit has never gone away. It shows up in everything — the characters, the settings, the way I draw people at events. I still take one everywhere.
I also have a studio assistant. Be careful, she is very strict!
Clients
I've worked with a range of clients across children's publishing, corporate, charity and the public sector, including:
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Tottenham Hotspur FC
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The Lord Mayor of London office
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Zoetis and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
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Clean Break theatre company
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It Takes A Village
Awards
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DPictus Unpublished Picturebook Showcase 2025 (longlist)
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Picture Hooks Buddy Scheme 2024
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PB Rising Stars 2023
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Picture Hooks Buddy Scheme 2022 (Shortlist)
Frequently asked questions
Do you accept commissions?
Yes I do! You can find out more on my commissions page.
I've got a book idea. Do you want to illustrate it?
Yes - get in touch and tell me about it. Publishers do like to match illustrators with authors themselves, but that doesn't mean we can't talk first. If you're self-publishing, or if you just want to share what you're working on, I'd like to hear from you.
Where can I buy your work?
In my shop which you can find here. I also attend art markets around the London area and share where I will be attending next on my Instagram.
What materials do you use?
I use a real mix, though my must-have is a dip pen. I feel a bit lost without one! I'd recommend experimenting for fun and seeing what feels right for you. Materials don't have to be 'professional' to work wonders. You can read more about my process in my blog.
