Regional Arts Map Illustrations

Custom illustrated regional arts map of Fife; I picked a summery, coastal palette, and loved bringing historical details to life. Mary Queen of Scots playing Real Tennis jumped out, so I included her; letting the character act out the text.

Publications devoted to the arts are usually brimming with visuals, and this membership magazine for The Arts Society is no exception. When they invited me to create an ongoing illustrated What’s On map, I knew the artwork would need to stand out among photographs of paintings, prints, crafts, and theatre.

Dunfermline Abbey Spot Illustration

This little illustration highlights a must-see location from the introduction. I used a pared-back palette of blue, red, and yellow drawn from the main map so it feels connected to the spread while standing alone. Tiny pilgrims add movement and narrative, helping the page feel balanced and lively

My style made a good pairing because of its layered look, with visible print marks and paint textures that feel handmade and sit naturally among creative imagery. My love of eclectic references also suits the magazine’s mix of contemporary and art-historical themes.

My contribution to this series is part drawing, part puzzle-solving. For each issue, I create a map showing the arts events featured; galleries, festivals, performances, gardens, and more. I make sure everything is balanced on the page so it’s easy to look at, while also giving more visual weight to the places the writing highlights most.

So, it’s a mix of design and editing: choosing what to include, where to place it, and how to make the image support the writing. I used texture and colour to suggest neighbouring counties subtly, keeping them visible but never distracting from the main focus. My spontaneous-looking illustration approach makes each map feel natural and effortless, not overworked - even when it’s very carefully planned.

Each region is a small exercise in turning words into pictures that look handmade and energetic, while keeping the information clear.

See more examples of my map illustrations here or get in touch to discuss a project