I am a multidisciplinary visual artist and illustrator based in Stockport, specialising in oil and mixed-media works, book illustration, and film storyboarding. My foundation in art and literature, alongside a first-class honours degree in Illustration and Animation, supports narrative clarity, strong character design, and collaborative commission work. I have been a seasoned freelance artist since 2004, bringing pacing and storytelling informed by theatre experience. I deliver reliable results through disciplined project management and concept development, and I’m currently undertaking commissions including children’s book illustration.

Graham Gardner

PRO

I am a multidisciplinary visual artist and illustrator based in Stockport, specialising in oil and mixed-media works, book illustration, and film storyboarding. My foundation in art and literature, alongside a first-class honours degree in Illustration and Animation, supports narrative clarity, strong character design, and collaborative commission work. I have been a seasoned freelance artist since 2004, bringing pacing and storytelling informed by theatre experience. I deliver reliable results through disciplined project management and concept development, and I’m currently undertaking commissions including children’s book illustration.

Available to hire

I am a multidisciplinary visual artist and illustrator based in Stockport, specialising in oil and mixed-media works, book illustration, and film storyboarding. My foundation in art and literature, alongside a first-class honours degree in Illustration and Animation, supports narrative clarity, strong character design, and collaborative commission work.

I have been a seasoned freelance artist since 2004, bringing pacing and storytelling informed by theatre experience. I deliver reliable results through disciplined project management and concept development, and I’m currently undertaking commissions including children’s book illustration.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Storyboard Artist at The Tenth Planet
March 22, 2025 - September 20, 2025
Creating storyboards for feature film ‘The Red Sister’
Storyboard artist at The Tenth Planet
March 22, 2022 - October 20, 2023
Creating storyboards and original oil painting artwork for the feature film ‘As Strange as Angels’
Poster illustration at ICAT acting Macbeth
May 22, 2016 - July 20, 2016
Create visual poster for a production of Macbeth
Colouring posters and book at Steven Brown
January 1, 2016 - May 20, 2000
Creating line drawings of artists work for colouring books
Children book illustrator at Freelance
April 20, 2015 - August 20, 2000
Creating visual and children’s illustrations for a book
Album Cover Artist at Freelance
July 22, 2013 - September 20, 2013
Creating album cover for a rock band
Illustrator at Freelance
June 20, 2012 - November 20, 2000
Creating mindfulness colouring books and maps
Dance Album Cover Artist at Freelance
October 31, 2004 - December 20, 2004
Creating artwork and visuals for Dance albums
Artist & Illustrator at Freelance
September 2, 2004 - Present
Creating artwork for private clients and galleries
Self-employed Freelance Artist (Fine Artist & Illustrator) at Artist Studio / Freelance
January 1, 2004 - Present
Commissioned oil on canvas and mixed-media artworks, including book illustration and children’s book illustration. Creates film storyboards and supports visual narrative development through character design, concept work, composition, and colour planning. Manages client communication, project timelines, and delivery of finished pieces while collaborating closely with clients and stakeholders. Uses theatre experience to inform pacing and storytelling, ensuring narrative clarity across formats (books and film). Maintains a disciplined creative practice supported by safe handling and conservation of traditional media, and a basic digital workflow for print-ready image preparation.
Self-employed Freelance Artist at Self-employed (Artist studio, Stockport)
January 1, 2004 - Present
Commissioned fine art (oil on canvas and mixed media), created storyboards for film projects, and produced illustrations for books including children’s titles. Develop concepts and character designs, maintain narrative clarity, and collaborate closely with clients to match project goals and visual direction. Manage client communication, project timelines, and delivery of finished artwork, using theatre experience to support pacing and storytelling. Maintain a disciplined practice and studio workflow for refining and delivering traditional and mixed-media artwork, with basic digital file preparation and print-ready asset handling where required.
Artist studio operator at Artist studio, Stockport
January 1, 2004 - Present
Runs a dedicated studio for creating, refining, and delivering commissioned pieces. Handles client communication, manages project timelines, and coordinates delivery of completed traditional-media artwork.
Self-employed freelance artist
January 1, 2004 - Present
Fine artist producing commissioned oil on canvas and mixed-media works. Provides film storyboarding and visual storytelling services, with emphasis on narrative clarity and character design. Notable project work includes titles such as “Jinn”, “As Strange as Angels”, and “The Red Sister”. Manages client communication, project timelines, and delivery of finished artwork. Currently working on commissions and children’s book illustrations.

Education

First Class Honours in Illustration and Animation at University
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
First Class Honours degree in Illustration and Animation at University
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
First Class Honours Degree in Illustration and Animation at University
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
First Class Honours degree in Illustration and Animation at University
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
First Class Honours Degree in Illustration and Animation at University
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004

Qualifications

BA Hons Illustration Degree 1st
September 20, 2001 - July 20, 2000
Illustration with Animation course Manchester Metropolitan University
Foundation Art
September 19, 1993 - July 19, 1994
Foundation in Art and Craft Coventry
Art history O level
September 19, 1990 - July 2, 1992
O level Art
January 1, 1990 - July 22, 2026
O level Art History
January 1, 1990 - July 22, 2026
A Level Art
January 1, 1990 - July 22, 2026
A Level Literature
January 1, 1990 - July 22, 2026
Art Diploma
January 1, 1990 - July 22, 2026
O Level Art
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
O Level Art History
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
A Level Art
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
A Level Literature
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
Art Diploma
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2004
O level Art
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
O level Art History
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
A Level Art
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
A Level Literature
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
Art Diploma
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2001
O Level Art
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
O Level Art History
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
A Level Art
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
A Level Literature
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026
Art Diploma
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2001

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Other
    St James Quarter Edinburgh visuals

    Create storyboard artwork to show a step by step visual running order.
    Commercial for St James Quarter shopping centre in Edinburgh.

    The Red Sister

    Storyboard artist for major feature sci fi film.
    Create storyboard visuals from script and direction from the main director.

    As strange as Angels

    Feature film storyboard artist. Storyboards for scene references and planning.

    Up in the sky

    The story of a girl who lives on the surface of a balloon.
    Her hopes, fears, dreams and adventures shown through beautiful colourful illustration.

    Whispering wood

    Enchanting tale of a young girl with Cancer who finds freedom, strength and solace in a flight into her imagination.
    Created with traditional pencil crayon.