When author Amanda Roberts approached me to illustrate a map for her new historical fiction novel, Lady of the Quay, set in mid-16th Century Berwick-upon-Tweed, I had no idea it would grow into one of the most interesting projects I’ve worked on to-date. As an illustrator living and working in Berwick, and someone with a long-standing interest in history and architecture, this project felt like the perfect fit! What began as a commission to create an illustrated historical map soon evolved into a full custom book cover design.

I'm Ali and I love illustrating British wildlife, bringing a wide range of flora and fauna to life through my drawings and paintings, where I aim to capture the spirit and form of birds, plants and animals in watercolour, pen-and-ink, or coloured pencil.

In celebration of World Whale Day (16th February 2025) I’ve created this watercolour illustration of three types of whale that can be seen off the coastline of Northumberland (as well as around the UK more widely). Here’s a little behind-the-scenes look at how I created the illustration.

When I started teaching myself to draw and paint as part of my mid-life career change, I seemed to unconsciously gravitate towards wildlife and nature subjects followed by a gradual focus on illustrating birds - specifically British birds - in all their variety.

I’ve been participating in the #birbruary challenge hosted by Amanda Pearson of Winging It Drawing to draw a songbird found in the British Isles every day throughout the month of February, in support of the charity Songbird Survival.

I started by writing down the phrase that I wanted to letter: “When life gives you lemons, squeeze them on pancakes” and then sketched some rough thumbnails for how I might compose the piece, thinking about the hierarchy, size and style of the lettering I might use and placing this into various shaped blocks…

Hi! I’m Ali and I’m an Illustrator and Surface Designer living in north Northumberland. I thought you might be interested to find out about what I get up to in a day running my small creative business, Coostie Illustration and Design.

I’m so excited to finally be able to talk about a project I’ve been working on for the charity Equal Arts to illustrate two singing Christmas cards developed and performed by a group at Grange Lea care home and Birch Grove assisted living in Tyneside.

I really enjoy the run up to Christmas, as I’m a natural list-maker and organiser. I love getting cosy at home with the wood burner on and the smells of Christmas baking and cooking, or venturing out into town or to local events with twinkling lights and good company.

I don’t just draw pretty pictures… I offer a range of services, from freelance illustration and graphic design, to custom illustrated maps and even brand and communications consultancy.

Did you know that that infamous breakfast dish - the kipper - is a smoked herring? But why did I choose a herring as the inspiration for my latest artwork?

When it comes to learning new things, do you prefer to develop your skills using books, or by taking a class?

Next to the Berwick-upon-Tweed Railway Station, you’ll find a carved wooden statue of a bear, who is affectionately known as ‘Bari’.