Gunja Bhatt, building confidence through creativity
Gunja Bhatt is an illustrator from India whose creative journey has taken her across continents to the UK. Specialising in picture books and chapter books, her work combines traditional media such as watercolours and inks with digital techniques to create visually captivating worlds filled with emotion and expressive characters.
Her passion for storytelling through art was nurtured early on by the enchantment of folk tales, Indian art and animated cartoons. This led to a fulfilling career as a senior illustrator and comic artist before she transitioned into freelancing to pursue a more personal creative path.
Let’s find out more about Gunja, where she finds her inspiration, how her process works, and more:
What would you say is your best piece of work or collaboration to date, and why?
My best work is the series of illustrations I have created for The Thingamabob, a middle grade chapter book written by Polly Ho-Yen, in collaboration with the design, art direction and publishing teams of Penguin Random House, UK.
Where do you like to go to be inspired, or how do you find your inspiration?
Museums, libraries and bookshops are my happy places to get inspired. Going to artist/illustrator meet ups and being around creative people for observational drawing, sketching and painting is very inspiring. It helps bring my story narratives alive in the sketchbook. I also like to be around children, helping and guiding them doing various creative activities. Sometimes conversations with young kids are very inspiring, bringing a completely new vision from kids’ perspective.
Is there anything you'd say you would be a good advocate for? Please elaborate if so.
Growing up in India surrounded by stories and art, and later living in different countries, made me appreciate how important it is for children to see diverse voices and experiences reflected in the stories they read. Because of that, I care deeply about creating and supporting stories and creative spaces where imagination, curiosity and different perspectives are welcome. Through my work as a children’s book illustrator and running my after-school art club, I’ve seen how powerful art can be for building confidence and helping children express thoughts and emotions they might not yet have words for.
What would you say sets you apart from other illustrators? Something you feel is unique to you.
What sets me apart is the blend of cultural perspective and process I bring to my work. I grew up in India surrounded by folk stories and visual traditions, and now I work in the UK in children’s publishing, so my storytelling naturally draws on influences from different cultures and narrative traditions.
My process combines traditional and digital illustration. I begin with hand drawn sketches, colour exploration and texture studies, then develop the final artwork using ink, watercolour, gouache, pastels and charcoal, before refining it digitally. This helps retain the warmth of traditional media while preparing the work for contemporary publishing.
Spending time observing and drawing with children helps me stay connected to their humour and emotional world, which often finds its way into my characters and visual storytelling.
What would you say is something that clients repeatedly come to you for (up to now)?
Clients often come to me for expressive, character driven illustrations that feel warm, playful and emotionally engaging for children. Many of my commissions involve bringing young characters and everyday childhood moments to life in a way that feels relatable and full of personality.
Clients also appreciate my blend of traditional and digital illustration, which gives the artwork a handcrafted feel while working well for modern publishing and print.
Another reason clients return is my collaborative approach. I enjoy working closely with art directors, authors and editors to develop characters and visual storytelling that support the tone and pacing of the story.
How would you describe your style?
I create illustrations for picture books and chapter books using a blend of traditional media such as watercolours, gouache, inks, pastels and charcoals alongside digital techniques for flexibility and refinement. I love building visual worlds filled with emotion, atmosphere and expressive characters that connect with young readers. I bring ideas to life through expressive colour, mood and visual storytelling.
Please give a scenario of a project that would mean the world to you, if you were offered it — something meaningful to you.
A dream project for me would be illustrating a story that blends adventure, emotion and a touch of magic. I’m especially drawn to stories where children navigate big feelings while exploring imaginative worlds, as these are the kinds of stories that stay with young readers.
Growing up in India, I was surrounded by folk tales, history and visually rich storytelling, so a project that weaves cultural influences — magical creatures or folklore inspired worlds — into a contemporary children’s story would mean a lot to me. I would love to create a world where forests, animals and everyday moments carry a sense of wonder, inviting children to return to the pages and discover something new each time.
Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?
Yes, currently I’m developing a story idea called No More Little. It is a contemporary twist on the story Little Red Riding Hood.
Finally, if you were to illustrate a book related to a real life person, who would that be?
I would be drawn to individuals whose lives carry inspiring stories of passion, perseverance and creativity. People like Srinivasa Ramanujan, whose extraordinary intuition transformed mathematics, or the legendary athlete Milkha Singh, whose life journey embodies resilience and determination. I would also love to explore stories of pioneering women such as Saina Nehwal and Sania Mirza, who reshaped the landscape of sports in India. In the world of ideas and culture, figures like historian Romila Thapar and author Arundhati Roy fascinate me for the way they challenge perspectives and spark conversations. And my favourite singer, Falguni Pathak, would be wonderful to illustrate as well, because her music carries such a joyful cultural energy, especially the Graba she sings for Gujarati people celebrating Navaratri, which could translate beautifully into vibrant visual storytelling.
If you’d like more info, please contact [email protected]
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