Time to Elevate Your Magazine Spreads with Editorial Illustrations

Bring your written content to life with vivid storytelling illustrations to engage and delight your readers. 

Visual Storytelling with Editorial Illustration for Print and Publications

Improve your reader engagement with unique visuals to draw them in. Drawings can simplify complex topics, capture unseen scenes, or combine pieces to paint a bigger picture and set your content apart.

Past Illustrated Publications I Have Featured

  • Surrey Wildlife Trust Magazine

    An illustrated scene combining multiple habitats and various wildlife that would thrive in them. What I like to think of as 'what this habitat could look like' if their funding is reached to support their conservation grazing initiative.

    Read more 
  • Illustration of Three chimpanzees in a forest setting for RZSS

    Royal Zoological Society of Scotland,

    Illustrating a greetings card to raise money for one of the RZSS conservation charity partners. Based on a selection of photographs of individual chimpanzees the team worked with in Uganda.

    Read more 
  • Close-up of a RZSS Sign with a nahan's Partridge illustration

    Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo

    Now on display in the chimpanzee enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo and in various online articles to raise awareness of the conservation project of the threatened Nahan's Partridge in Uganda.

    Read more 

Ferne quickly interpreted our brief and produced a vivid, accurate design that both represented everything we wanted to get across and added an artistic flair to bring our campaign very much to life.  We’d recommend her without hesitation.

Oliver Fry - Communications Manager, Surrey Wildlife Trust

  • What are Editorial Illustrations?

    Editorial illustrations are found in publications such as magazines, blogs, newspapers, and journals. Their purpose is to support or enhance the written content of these materials, helping them to explain or interpret through visual storytelling.

    Editorial illustrations can vary from full-page spreads to small drawings or infographics for feature stories. They make complex ideas accessible and connect imagery and text to make articles more memorable.

  • Who is this for?

    Magazine editors and publishers are seeking unique illustrations to elevate features.

    Writers or publishers looking for beautiful book covers.


    Newspapers and educational journals are to add supportive images to their articles.

    Conservation organisations or researchers who need a species not often or ever photographed.

  • How Can I Get a Custom Editorial Illustration?

    To start your editorial illustration, first you need to drop me an email with your idea; a brief of what you need is great, but we can always brainstorm together.

    I professionally design and illustrate using tools like Procreate, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator or Photoshop. Starting with a rough sketch for you to approve before I go into full detail.

    Turnaround time depends on the scale and complexity of the project, as each job varies based on the amount of detail and any current ongoing projects. I am always happy to work towards your deadlines where possible.

    Optional additional services can include typesetting and designing other aspects outside illustration. All final artwork can be supplied in print-ready or web-ready formats.
Ferne wearing a yellow jacket with a large Red Kite image on a wooden platform.

Blending My Creative Journey of Photography, Design and Illustration

My journey into illustration started with photography – specifically, wildlife. Through that, I would capture my photographs with their intended usage in mind, often in editorial work or playing around in Photoshop and InDesign. This interest eventually led to my role as a designer in the print industry ,where I worked for 6 years. Now, I create illustrations that combine my photographic eye for composition with graphic storytelling.

Let's Bring Your Project to Life

FAQ's: Everything You Need to Know About Commissioning a Board

How does the commission process work?

Every relationship and commission is different, but typically, we have initial chats via email until a brief is supplie,d and I can provide a quote. I prefer to speak via email so I can look back on everything we have discussed for the drawings. After the quote, I like a deposit, partial or full payment, before I get started to cover my artwork time, and I often send out a document to sign about usage and permissions. Once all that boring stuff is out of the way, I can get drawing, where I like to start with a very ugly scribbly sketch to work out the drawing and text layout. From this point, you can make changes or give the go-ahead to go into detail. I have a detailed style of drawing, so timescales are great, so I can make the most of my time. Once I have finished, I will send over more proofs to be approved, and once you are happy and payment has been paid, all the print-ready artwork can be sent over.

What do I need to provide to start a project?

First things first – drop me an email! A short brief is ideal, including the topic, size or layout, publication type (print or digital) and any reference materials or examples of styles you would like. If the artwork is alongside text, it would be great to have a copy.

I am always happy to discuss initial ideas, even if you are not 100% decided on your direction yet.

How long does an illustration take?

How long is a piece of string?

Drawing time really varies depending on complexity and the current other projects I am working on. Having a deadline and flexibility is always helpful.

Do you create custom illustrations for each project?

Each board is unique to you! Some artists might be faster, but I go into detail, drawing each species individually as well as the individual backgrounds. This means everything has been drawn specifically for you. Lots of clients are happy for me to use these individual wildlife drawings on my own products as well as their boards, but never for another client's work.

Can you match an existing publication layour or style?

Yes, with my background in design, I am experienced with working with brand guidelines and existing publication templates.

What are your illustration/design rates?

Prices vary depending on size, detail and usage rights, but I am happy to provide a quote once I know more about your project.

Do you illustrate other topics beside nature?

While my main focus is nature and wildlife storytelling, I also take on editorial commissions in related areas, such as sustainability, travel, and the environment. I am always open to hearing your ideas and seeing if it is a project I would love to be a part of.