Big news! I have written a craft book - and it is available to preorder (link in bio).
Painting Nature is a book about everything I wanted and needed to know when I started out more than ten years ago, distilled into 175 pages. The book has 20 different seasonal nature-inspired projects and it is jam-packed with information, tips and prompts. I feel nervous and amazed to be sharing this with you!
I was lucky to work with the incredibly talented @eva_nemeth again on this project. Her photography illustrates the book beautifully.
Published by @quadrillecreate the team have been a joy to work and the book looks and feels so lovely.
Preordering, I'm told, has a big impact on how well a book gets noticed and into the right hands and places.
Everyone who preorders will be eligible to enter a giveaway with a chance to win a one-to-one zoom tutorial with me, a box of the art supplies I use in the book, and an original painting. Just save your preorder confirmation email—I'll share more details soon!
#gemmakoomen #natureillustration #gouacheillustration #illustrationwork #wildlifeillustration #illustrationow #craftbook
Magical May 🌱💚
May your garden be filled with flowers and your laundry warmed by the sun ☀️
#maydaymagic #illustrationforkids #kidlitillustration #gemmakoomen
Happy Easter! All the sweet springy things, from my book Painting Nature, photographed by @eva_nemeth published by @quadrillecreate and a closer peek at my sketchbook page.
Have you painted any eggs yet? Or eaten some? 🥚
If you are feeling the creative itch, there are simple nature based painting projects ideas for each season - including eggs! 💛🌷#slowlivingforlife #mysketchbook #springillustration #gemmakoomen
Happy 2026! 🌼🐎🕯️
One of my favourite paintings of 2025 on wood, with wild pansies, ponies, waves and writing all under the pole star to guide the way.
#holbeinacrylagouache #paintingonwood #gemmakoomen
Celebrating the small, simple, joyful moments of 2025 which have kept me anchored in a busy year ✨
2025 has been a year of big strides forward in terms of my illustration work. Sending off three new books to print was a good feeling, plus signing with a wonderful literary agent and working on some great commissions while also tending the shop has kept me very busy!
I'm keeping on getting my health back into a good place in 2026 while supporting my family and doing more of the work that I love and making something that feels meaningful. Thank you for being here, following along. I appreciate all the comments, likes, messages and shares from you all 💛 #2025reels #gemmakoomen #illustratorlife
A winter wreath for the Winter Solstice and beginning of Yule. This painted wreath for me weaves a spell of the resilience of pine and holly, the vitality of rosehips, the hopefulness of hellebores, winter aconites and winter jasmine and the magic of witch hazel. I love that these plants see us through the winter, when nature feels pared back, resting. Happy hibernation and holiday time to you all! 🌟
Photograph of my Winter Wreath project in Painting Nature published by @quadrillecreate photographed by the most excellent @eva_nemeth 🌟 #gouacheillustration #paintingnature #gemmakoomen
This years originals are in the shop 🕯️ 🌙 thank you to my subscribers who persevered through a technical hitch and got themselves one! There are still a few special paintings left and some walnut ink drawings. If you've been following my stories you'll know I've been getting very much in the flow on these paintings on wood. There's some lovely ash, oak and sycamore prepared by my partner Jody and a variety of sizes featuring some of my favourite things 🌷🐴 🕯️ 🐦 if you'd like to read more about my process I've just made a new Substack too. The originals shop will stay open until January. #originalpaintings #originalartworks #holbeinacrylagouache #gemmakoomen
From painting to puzzle, a process reel of my sweetest collaboration with @eeboopieceandlove 🧚🏿♀️
If you'd like to read and see more I wrote a post over on my Substack. We also have a selection of my EeBoo collaboration in the shop, they are perfect stocking fillers so not many left now. Enjoy!
#illustrationprocess #eeboopieceandlove #illustrationforkids
The 2026 calendar is finally in the shop and ready to order 💛
I'm happy to share 12 months of artwork inspired by cosy and peaceful times with the usual nature inspiration, pattern play, magical tiny things and seasonal goodness 🍀
Printed on acid free, FSC 100% recycled, carbon offset paper with vegetable inks in the UK. Limited stock, first come first served.
Thank you to all my email subscribers who've already ordered, I really appreciate you all 👌
#gouacheillustration #natureillustration #illustrationwork #kidlitartist #illustratedcalendar
