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Emma Thrussell Illustration
  • Illustration
  • Picture Books
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Newsletter

National Trust- Stourhead Medieval Map

I was commissioned by Stourhead (National Trust) to illustrate a medieval children’s activity trail with map titled The Hunt for Stourton Castle. Filled with knights and historical facts; the leaflet provides activity prompts for children and their families to complete as they journey through the Stourhead property. The illustrations are inspired by medieval iconography and encourages kids to learn about the history of medieval England! Each illustration was painted in watercolours and gouache, then edited in Photoshop.

Thumbelina's Tiny Circus

A re-imagining of the classic fairytale of Thumbelina which was developed during the Picture Hooks Buddy Scheme.

Museum of the Home Trails

I was commissioned by Geffrye Museum of the Home in London to create 3 children’s trails, 3 stickers and a resource card for their upcoming renovation. These trails were part of the Family Explorers Pack where each trail leads children and their families through the different galleries in the museum; the Home Galleries, Rooms Through Time and the Garden.

I created the page layout of each trail including graphic design activity symbols and the illustrations were painted in watercolours and gouache.

New Year Typography

Watercolour and handletter typography for 2024

My Bag is Haunted

Picture book illustrations painted with gouache and watercolour

Ancient Egypt

Picturebook illustrations depicting two children moving through Ancient Egypt and it's mythology

Merrill the Moss Witch

Children’s character design of Merrill the Moss Witch, designed over the month of October 2022. Painted in watercolours and gouache.

National Trust- Stourhead Autumn Spell Trail

I was commissioned by Stourhead (National Trust) to illustrate a children’s activity trail all about trees in the style of an old forgotten spell book, titled the Autumn Spell Trail. This booklet takes children on a journey through the grounds where they must solve the clues to discover each tree’s magic word.

Each illustration was painted in watercolours and gouache, the hand lettering and page doodles were drawn in Procreate and the final design was edited in Photoshop.

National Portrait Gallery- Pocket Portrait Gallery Trail

I was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to create illustrations and designs for a children’s trail that gives visiting families the tools to create their own gallery with prompts and drawings. All the illustrations were painted in watercolours and gouache, the handlettering was drawn digitally and the trail was edited altogether in Photoshop.

Pan's Labyrinth Poster Design

Pan’s Labyrinth poster illustration, originally commissioned by Bottleneck Gallery to be an officially licensed limited edition print of the movie. Original illustration painted in watercolours, gouache and coloured pencil

Yoga Poses Poster

Poster commission for Agie and Me Yoga for their yoga studio. The brief was to illustrate a variety of different poses that could be followed one after another and demonstrated by people all shapes, sizes, gender and ethnicity. Created with watercolours and coloured pencil.

Your Dog Magazine

Editorial illustrations commissioned for Your Dog Magazine for the articles The Broken Promise about the double agent known as ‘Treasure’ and her dog Babs during the Second World War. And Dognapping Through the Ages featuring Elizabeth Barrett Browning with her faithful pup Flush. Painted with watercolours, gouache and coloured pencil.

National Portrait Gallery - Sensory Bag

I was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to create illustrations for a poster and an information cards to promote and accompany their Sensory Bag. The Sensory Bag is a backpack is filled with handy tools and sensory items to help make the visit to the gallery enjoyable, calm and are ideal for SEND families and young visitors.

All the illustrations were painted in watercolours and gouache, the handlettering was drawn digitally and the trail was edited altogether in Photoshop.

The Adventures of Shadow

The adventures and illustrations of my shop mascot Shadow.

Popshot Magazine

An editorial illustration commission for a double page spread in Popshot Magazine which is an illustrated literary magazine that publishes short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. I was asked to illustrate a poem called The Next Sentence by C. J. Patrick. It was painted in watercolours, gouache and coloured pencil.

Middle Grade Illustration Project

I decided to take some of my favourite young adult and children’s novels and create illustrations for them as if they were from a middle grade children’s book. I chose scenes from Wolf Brother, The Hobbit and Ready Player One, painting them only in black and white. These were painted traditionally with watercolours.

National Trust- Stourhead Explorer Map

I was commissioned by Stourhead (National Trust) to illustrate their new Explorer Map. The leaflet provides activity prompts for children and their families to complete as they journey through the Stourhead Garden. The illustrations were made to inspire and encourage children to interact with the various activities and explore their surroundings. Each illustration was painted in watercolours and gouache, then edited in Photoshop.

Reader's Digest

I was commissioned to create editorial illustrations for Reader’s Digest magazine in their July 2022 and November 2022 issues. These were for the articles ‘A Job Well Done’ and ‘That’s My Lot’ which is part of their regular column by Olly Mann. The illustrations were painted in watercolours and gouache.

National Portrait Gallery - History Detectives Trail

A commission for the National Portrait Gallery to create illustrations and designs for a children’s trail that explores the Tudor galleries. History Detectives uses bright imagery and word puzzles to guide young people around the historic gallery. Sticker illustrations were also created for the end of the trail! All the illustrations were painted in watercolours and gouache, the handlettering was drawn digitally and the trail was edited altogether in Photoshop.

Circus Characters

Watercolour illustrations of various circus characters.

National Trust- Stourhead Medieval Map

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Thumbelina's Tiny Circus

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Museum of the Home Trails

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New Year Typography

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My Bag is Haunted

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Ancient Egypt

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Merrill the Moss Witch

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National Trust- Stourhead Autumn Spell Trail

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National Portrait Gallery- Pocket Portrait Gallery Trail

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Pan's Labyrinth Poster Design

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Yoga Poses Poster

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Your Dog Magazine

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National Portrait Gallery - Sensory Bag

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The Adventures of Shadow

— view —

Popshot Magazine

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Middle Grade Illustration Project

— view —

National Trust- Stourhead Explorer Map

— view —

Reader's Digest

— view —

National Portrait Gallery - History Detectives Trail

— view —

Circus Characters

— view —

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