Zoe Balogun

Hello, I’m Zoe Balogun, an illustrator born in London and raised in Kent, UK. My work is playful, lively, and expressive, created mainly digitally in Procreate on my iPad, often beginning as loose sketchbook doodles. Characters are at the heart of what I do: I love creating personable characters with expressive faces and energetic poses, and building interactions that feel alive on the page. With a background in psychology, I’m especially drawn to emotion and inner worlds, and I love stories with themes of bravery, adventure, and friendship.

I graduated with an MA in Children’s Book Illustration and Graphic Novels in 2023, alongside holding a Psychology degree. I bring that knowledge into my creative practice, particularly in projects connected to mental health and neurodiversity. My process always starts with characters: I sketch poses, explore what feels right, and then build the scene around them. I also begin experimenting with colour early, layering it over rough sketches to shape the mood and direction of the final piece. My favourite stage is the final colour pass, when everything comes together and the artwork fully comes to life.

I’ve always loved stories, especially those filled with funny, inquisitive, and creative characters. Growing up, the books and TV shows that made me laugh while teaching me something new had a lasting influence on my illustration goals and style. I also draw a lot of inspiration from films, which encourage me to think bigger in my compositions, and from travel, which gives me fresh perspective and new visual ideas. Outside of illustration, I enjoy crochet, reading historical fiction, and being part of my church community. My Christian faith is central to who I am, and I’m passionate about sharing the love of God and His beauty through my work.