Exploring the Enchanting World of Ana Varela

Ana Varela, from the coastal city of A Coruña, Spain, is an illustrator who brings whimsical illustrations to life, capturing the magic of fantastical worlds and everyday moments. Known for her delicate lines, warm colour palettes and versatile approach, Ana's work graces everything from children’s books to puzzles to magazines. Beyond her professional success lies a passionate artist driven by curiosity, advocacy and a love for nature's beauty.

In the Q&A below, Ana shares her inspirations, her dream projects, and the personal stories behind her most cherished creations and future goals – from her recent 2025 calendar series to aspirations of illustrating mythical creatures and iconic figures like Isabel Allende.

What would you say is your best piece of work / collaboration to date, and why?

I am quite pleased with the result of my last personal project: a series of illustrations for my 2025 calendar. Each year, I usually make a personal calendar using pieces of my portfolio, but this time I have created some illustrations especially for this purpose. It offered me the opportunity to experiment with my technique and create some beautiful compositions around the themes of seasons, arts and nature.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find inspiration from things I like, such as films, illustrated books, art and decoration, or the details of everyday life. Nature is also a big inspiration for me. I often enjoy setting my characters in nature and including different plants and animals.

Is there anything you'd say you would be a good advocate for?

I advocate for feminist and gender equality causes, as there is still much work to be done.

What would you say sets you apart from other illustrators? Something you feel is unique to you.

I would say that one of my strengths when illustrating is my capacity to adapt. I believe my work is versatile, since I am capable of working in a range of styles and I enjoy exploring new things and evolving. I'm able to adapt to the specific needs of each project, but maintain a consistency in vision and style that makes it recognisable.

If you have done paid commissions prior to joining the agency, what do clients repeatedly come back to you for?

Previous clients have pointed out that I am easy to work with, and I have worked repeatedly with a number of clients, so I think they appreciate my commitment and effort to obtain the best result in each project.

How would you describe your style?

I would say that my style can be defined as colourful, warm, serene, and delicate, with attention to detail. I enjoy experimenting with different colour palettes and including some textures, trying to give them the warmth of hand-drawn illustrations.

What project would mean the world to you, if it were offered to you? Something meaningful to you.

I would love to work on projects related to magic, witches, mythical creatures or legends. I am very fond of the kinds of books where you can find unexpected things, and where fantasy takes over for reality for a little while.

Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?

Whenever I have some time off, I like working on personal illustrations to improve my portfolio or just for fun. At the moment, I have some personal projects in mind that I would love to bring to life, including an ABC book / counting book for toddlers.

Finally, if you were to illustrate a book related to a real life person, who would you choose?

I would say Isabel Allende. I think she is captivating because of the magic that surrounds her literature and her inspiring life story.

If you’d like more information about Ana, please contact: [email protected]

At illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.