Meet Dorothy Luo | Illustrator & Picturebook Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dorothy Luo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dorothy, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in a seaside city in northeast China. From a young age, I began learning to draw with the goal of gaining admission to one of China’s prestigious art academies. During middle and high school, I underwent intensive training in realistic drawing, influenced by the Soviet-style art education system. This rigorous training sharpened my technical skills but did not fully cultivate my artistic expression.

At the same time, I was greatly influenced by Japanese ACG subculture. I spent many hours reading manga magazines and watching anime, which shaped my early understanding of illustration, even before I fully grasped the concept.

I was fortunate to gain admission to one of China’s top art academies, where I studied fashion design. However, as I progressed in my studies, I realized that my true passion lay in drawing and creating images. This led me to pursue an MA in Illustration in the UK after completing my bachelor’s degree.

Studying children’s book illustration at the Cambridge School of Art opened up new horizons for me. I learned to observe the world through sketching, express myself more freely, and tell stories through images. I experimented with different drawing materials and began working on picture book projects.

Before graduating, I secured my first book deal and began long-term collaborations with several publishers. Over the past four years, my work has been shortlisted for various international awards, and my clients include publishers, magazines, and commercial organizations from around the world. Through these projects, I’ve refined my skills, creating more complex and mature images, and started to develop my own voice and visual language as an illustrator.

Since moving to London two years ago, I have faced various challenges. I focused on pushing my personal illustration projects and actively engaging with local events and communities. I’ve participated in several illustration markets in London, where I showcased and sold my artwork, while receiving direct feedback from a larger audience.

I’m excited about my journey as an artist and illustrator. Despite the progress I’ve made so far, I still feel like a newcomer, eager to explore new things and face new challenges. I hope to continue creating and enjoying the process!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I use sketchbooks to practice and develop my ideas, but I prefer digital tools for finalizing my artwork due to their efficiency and flexibility in making changes. I have a love for bright and bold colors , and I aim for my illustrations to have a cute, rich quality with a touch of whimsical charm. My inspiration comes from engaging stories and a diverse range of artistic forms.

I’d like to highlight a series of works that I’m particularly proud of: the Grimm Fairy Tales series. This collection was shortlisted for WIA2023 and received a Distinguished Merit award in 3×3 No.20

Fairy tales have always been a major source of inspiration for me. This series began as an exploration of character design, focusing on exaggerated body shapes to express the central dramatic conflicts of each story. I used a digital approach to create a screen-printed effect with bold, high-contrast colors, which sets this series apart from traditional fairy tale illustrations. Experimenting with different patterns and textures was a particularly enjoyable aspect of this project.

Another project I’m very proud of is “Luna’s Find.” This is a self-initiated picture book I recently created. It tells a captivating story about the protagonist Luna, and it has a bit of an autobiographical touch. As Luna grows, she embarks on a journey of exploration. Through her interactions with different people and inspired by their diversity, she gradually uncovers her innate creativity and uniqueness, forging a fresh sense of self. I hope this work resonates with those who are also growing and exploring their own paths.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve only been in London for less than two years, but I’ve already discovered some great spots. Columbia Road Flower Market is such a vibrant place—always buzzing with people and flowers. Nearby, there’s this awesome Spanish restaurant called Laxeiro that I really enjoy.

One place that I find super inspiring is the Young V&A museum. It’s geared towards kids, but it’s fantastic for anyone who loves creativity, with its cool collection of antique toys and dollhouses.

Oh, and if you love nature, you have to check out Kew Gardens. It’s so beautiful and peaceful—perfect for a relaxing day out. I also love spending time at Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill. The views are amazing and it’s just a great way to unwind.

And of course, I’d make sure my friend gets to try some homemade food. I love cooking dishes from my hometown and using local ingredients, so it would be great to share a meal at home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a huge shoutout to my parents for always supporting my passion for art, including backing me up when I decided to study abroad for my MA. I’m also incredibly grateful to my partner, who has been a rock through all the big changes we’ve gone through.

When it comes to my art career, I owe a lot to the Children’s Book Illustration program at Cambridge School of Art. The program not only deepened my understanding of illustration and picture books but also kickstarted my professional journey. I’m particularly thankful to the professors and alumni who encouraged me to pursue my career in the UK—Martin, Shelley, Yang, and many others.

And I can’t forget to thank all the friends I’ve made through drawing. Illustrators are some of the most creative, friendly, and generous people I know. Their support and sense of community have meant the world to me.

Website: https://www.dorothyluo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorothyluoluo/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothyluoluo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dorothyluoluo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dorothyluoluo/

Other: Etsy Shop: https://dorothyluoshop.etsy.com

Image Credits
Profile photo by Jieying Shao
Illustrations by Dorothy Luo.