Rosie Barker’s illustrations invite you into a “surreal and enchanting visual realm”

Illustrator Rosie Barker found her way to the medium after a short stint studying English Literature, during which she realised the subject didn’t resonate with her and she quickly transitioned into the creative world. Here, she gravitated towards illustration and, after earning a degree in it from Brighton University and then moving back home during lockdown, she began honing her skills with a pencil. “I really immersed myself in being consistent and drawing every day,” she recalls. “This led to me sharing my artwork online and eventually my first commission through a DM on Instagram (would you believe it).”

These days, her portfolio is bursting with beautiful commercial work for the likes of The New York Times, Courier Magazine, TED Media and the band Khruangbin. She’s also found her style, which says is influenced by artists from the 60s and 70s and is composed of “vibrant colours and boundless energy”. No longer relying solely on her sketchbook, Rosie now also uses digital illustration tools to create “surreal and playful scenes”, moving between serious subject matter such as mental health and more carefree focuses like “capturing the energy of a venue” or “drawing people I’ve seen and things I’ve overheard”. The latter, she explains, is particularly important when it comes to laying the groundwork for bigger ideas: “Not only do I find this to be quite a meditative practice for me in itself, but it helps build a backlog of ideas for future projects.”