How I Found My Illustration Style?

Finding your artistic style is a journey of discovery, a blend of passion, inspiration, and a touch of personal magic. For me, that journey has been shaped by my love for mermaids, my deep connection to cartoons, and a recurring theme that’s become my artistic signature—a girl with red hair. Over time, these elements have come together to define my style and give my illustrations a personal touch that makes them uniquely my own.

Here’s a glimpse into how I found my style and how it has impacted both my art and my life.

• The Spark: My Love for Mermaids

One of the earliest influences on my illustration style was my love for mermaids. There’s something captivating about the way they exist between two worlds—land and sea—bridging fantasy and reality. The idea of mermaids represents freedom, mystery, and beauty, and these themes have always resonated with me.

As a child, I would sketch mermaids endlessly, imagining them in colorful underwater worlds filled with vibrant coral reefs, shimmering fish, and sparkling bubbles. This fascination never left me, and to this day, mermaids often appear in my work, either in the form of characters or as part of the dreamy, fluid atmosphere I try to capture in my illustrations. Their flowing hair, graceful movements, and connection to nature have influenced how I approach character design, adding a sense of fantasy and wonder to my style.

In many ways, my love for mermaids has been a guiding force in shaping the kind of stories I want to tell through my art. They embody a sense of adventure and mystery that I try to bring to every illustration, even when the characters aren’t mythical creatures.

• The Influence of Cartoons: Bringing Energy and Emotion

While mermaids provided the dreamlike foundation for my style, cartoons brought in the energy and emotional expression that gives my work life. I’ve always loved watching cartoons, from the classics like "The Little Mermaid" (of course!) to modern shows like "Brave", "Moana" and many others.

These shows inspired me with their bold colors, exaggerated characters, and the way they brought humor and heart into every frame.

Cartoons taught me how to infuse my illustrations with personality. I learned that through a single expression or gesture, you can tell a whole story. The whimsical and playful nature of cartoons has had a huge impact on how I design characters, especially for children’s books. I focus on making my characters expressive, vibrant, and full of life, whether they’re humans, animals, or fantasy creatures.

By combining the fantastical elements of mermaids with the dynamic, exaggerated emotions of cartoons, my illustrations found a balance between the magical and the relatable. This mix allows me to create art that captures both the imagination and the heart, appealing to children and adults alike.

• The Personal Touch: The Girl with Red Hair

One of the most personal and recognizable elements of my work is the recurring image of a girl with red hair. This character isn’t just an artistic motif—it’s a reflection of my own creative identity. In many ways, she’s become my signature. Whether I’m working on a children’s book or a standalone illustration, you can always spot the red-haired girl in some form, either as the main character or hidden within the scene.

Why red hair? It’s bold, bright, and stands out—just like I want my illustrations to. Red hair adds a spark of personality to my characters, making them instantly recognizable and memorable. It also ties back to the fantastical elements of mermaids and cartoons that have always been a part of my style. The fiery color feels alive, giving my characters a sense of individuality and spirit.

Creating characters with red hair allows me to infuse each illustration with a piece of myself. It’s a subtle, yet powerful way of leaving my mark on my work, making it uniquely mine. When people see one of my illustrations, they know right away who created it. That connection between artist and audience is something I deeply value, and the girl with red hair helps strengthen that bond.

• How My Style Affects My Life

Developing my style has not only impacted my work as an illustrator but has also influenced how I see the world. Embracing my love for mermaids and cartoons has allowed me to stay connected to the sense of wonder and playfulness that fuels creativity. My work encourages me to view life through a lens of imagination, where even the simplest moments can be transformed into something magical.

By incorporating elements of fantasy into my illustrations, I’ve learned to approach challenges with a creative mindset. Whether I’m facing an artistic problem or navigating a personal situation, I try to find solutions that are both practical and imaginative, just like how I balance the real and the fantastical in my art.

My style has also given me a deeper appreciation for storytelling. Every character I create, every scene I illustrate, tells a story—not just to the audience but also to me. It’s a way of processing my own thoughts, emotions, and dreams, and sharing them with the world in a way that feels authentic and true to who I am.

Finding my illustration style has been a journey of blending my love for mermaids, the energy of cartoons, and a personal touch that reflects who I am. It’s about combining the things that inspire me with my own unique voice to create art that feels alive, fun, and full of heart.

My style continues to evolve as I grow as an artist, but some things will always remain: the fantasy, the energy, and of course, the girl with red hair. These elements are more than just artistic choices—they’re part of who I am, and they allow me to connect with my audience in a way that feels genuine and personal.

If you ever come across one of my illustrations, I hope you’ll recognize the spark of magic, the playful emotion, and maybe even spot the red-haired girl hiding somewhere in the scene. For me, that’s the beauty of art—it’s not just about what you create but how it reflects the journey of finding yourself along the way.

Feel free to explore more of my work at (https://www.bubisamart.com/book-illustration), and I look forward to sharing more stories and illustrations with you!