I’m Tatum Croft, a friendly, patient and hard-working illustrator based in Plymouth, with a strong background in children’s picture books. I’m a fast learner who enjoys new experiences, and I’m known for turning feedback into better work while staying organised with my deadlines. I’ve built creative and practical confidence through freelance illustration, self-publishing multiple children’s books, and selling my artwork both at stalls and online. Although my training is in illustration, I’m especially excited to branch out into visual work for gaming and animation, using my technical skills across tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Procreate to bring stories and characters to life.…

Tatum Croft

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I’m Tatum Croft, a friendly, patient and hard-working illustrator based in Plymouth, with a strong background in children’s picture books. I’m a fast learner who enjoys new experiences, and I’m known for turning feedback into better work while staying organised with my deadlines. I’ve built creative and practical confidence through freelance illustration, self-publishing multiple children’s books, and selling my artwork both at stalls and online. Although my training is in illustration, I’m especially excited to branch out into visual work for gaming and animation, using my technical skills across tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Procreate to bring stories and characters to life.…

Available to hire

I’m Tatum Croft, a friendly, patient and hard-working illustrator based in Plymouth, with a strong background in children’s picture books. I’m a fast learner who enjoys new experiences, and I’m known for turning feedback into better work while staying organised with my deadlines.

I’ve built creative and practical confidence through freelance illustration, self-publishing multiple children’s books, and selling my artwork both at stalls and online. Although my training is in illustration, I’m especially excited to branch out into visual work for gaming and animation, using my technical skills across tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Procreate to bring stories and characters to life.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Market Stall Assistant / Sales at Market Stalls (self-employed/independent)
January 1, 2022 - Present
Created and set up displays, attracted customers, handled payments (including card reader), and maintained a cash float. Packaged and dispatched products, managed stock quantities, and presented artwork for sale while communicating with customers and answering questions.
Market Stall Operator
January 1, 2022 - Present
Packaging and selling products, handling a cash float, engaging with customers, setting up displays, displaying artwork, using a card reader, attracting customers and managing stock.
Market Stall Operator at Market Stalls
January 1, 2022 - Present
Packaging products, selling products, cash handling, engaging with customers, setting up displays, displaying artwork, stock management, using card reader, attracting customers to the stall.
Market Stall Assistant at Market Stalls
January 1, 2022 - November 26, 2025
Packaging products; Selling products; Getting a cash float; Engaging with customers; Handling money; Creating and setting up display; Displaying artwork; Using a card reader; Attracting customers to the stall; Handling larger quantities of stock
Intern (Employability Internship) - Plymouth University Mayflower at University of Plymouth Mayflower Internship
December 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Worked with a professional client to develop employability skills through problem solving and research. Managed timesheets and finances, researched appropriate topics thoroughly, arranged virtual meetings, and applied client feedback to improve work.
Mayflower Internship at Plymouth University
December 1, 2020 - Present
Worked with a professional client, developed core employability skills, problem solving, managed timesheets and finances, thoroughly researched topics, arranged virtual meetings with client, and applied feedback to work.
Mayflower Internship at University of Plymouth
December 1, 2020 - December 1, 2020
Worked with a professional client; developed core employability skills; problem solving; managed timesheets and finances; researched appropriate topics; arranged virtual meetings with client; applied feedback to work.
Internship at Plymouth University iMayflower Internship
December 1, 2020 - December 1, 2020
Worked with a professional client, developed core employability skills, problem solving, managed timesheets and finances, thoroughly researched topics, arranged virtual meetings with client and applied feedback to work.
Mayflower Internship at Plymouth University (Mayflower Internship)
December 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Worked with a professional client; developed core employability skills; problem solving; managed timesheets and finances; researched topics; arranged virtual meetings with client; applied feedback to work.
Intern at Plymouth University iMayflower Internship
December 1, 2020 - December 1, 2020
Worked with a professional client; Developed core employability skills; Problem solving; Managed timesheets and finances; Thoroughly researched appropriate topics; Arranged virtual meetings with client; Applied feedback to work
Online Sales Assistant (products/print-on-demand) at Online store (self-run)
January 1, 2020 - Present
Designed and maintained an online brand and store, handled online orders, responded to customer questions and issues, priced items, packaged products, and dispatched within a set timeframe. Created promotional product images, designed print-on-demand items, and supported social media promotion.
Children’s Book Illustrator (freelance/self-directed) at Freelance / collaborative with authors
January 1, 2020 - Present
Worked with authors to discuss and negotiate project details, arranged meetings, researched and incorporated feedback, and illustrated a variety of images. Designed book layout and look, produced cover art, prepared text layout, edited final versions, and set personal deadlines to deliver projects on time.
Online Seller / Online Brand Designer
January 1, 2020 - Present
Designing online brand, handling orders, assisting customers, packaging and posting products, setting prices, dispatching items, designing online store, creating print-on-demand products, producing promotional images and marketing on social media.
Freelance Children's Book Illustrator
January 1, 2020 - Present
Communicating with authors, negotiating prices, arranging meetings to discuss books, incorporating feedback, illustrating a variety of images, designing book layouts, producing covers, editing final versions, and self-publishing multiple children’s picture books. Strong collaborative ability.
Online Store Designer / Seller at Self-employed
January 1, 2020 - Present
Designing online brand; handling online orders; packaging products; posting items; setting prices; dispatching items within a limited time period; designing online store and print-on-demand products; creating promotional product images and social media marketing.
Online Seller / Brand Designer at Self-employed
January 1, 2020 - Present
Designing online brand, handling online orders, assisting customers, packaging, posting, setting prices, dispatching items, designing online store, creating print-on-demand products, designing promotional product images and promoting products on social media.
Children’s Book Illustrator at Self-employed / Freelance
January 1, 2020 - Present
Communicating with authors, negotiating prices, arranging meetings, receiving feedback and applying changes, illustrating a variety of images, designing layout and look of books, producing book covers, designing text layout, discussing publishing and printing details, editing final versions, setting deadlines, self-publishing multiple children’s picture books, and collaborating effectively with others.
Online Store Owner / Online Seller at Self-employed
January 1, 2020 - Present
Designs online brand; handles orders; assists customers; packaging and shipping; pricing; dispatching items; designs online store; creates print-on-demand products; promotional imagery; social media promotion.
Children’s Book Illustrator at Self-employed
January 1, 2020 - Present
Self-published multiple children’s picture books; communicates with authors; negotiates pricing; arranges meetings; implements feedback; illustrates a variety of images; designs layout; produces book covers and text layout; discusses publishing and printing details; sets deadlines.
Online Store Owner / Online Retailer at Self-employed
January 1, 2020 - November 26, 2025
Designing online brand; Handling online orders; Helping customers with any questions or issues; Packaging products; Posting products; Setting prices for products; Dispatching items within a limited time period; Designing online store on my website; Creating print-on-demand products; Creating promotional product images; Promoting products on social media
Illustrator at Self-employed (Children's Book Illustrations)
January 1, 2020 - November 26, 2025
Communicating with authors; Negotiating a price; Arranging meetings to discuss the book; Receiving feedback and applying these to my work; Illustrating variety of images; Designing layout and look of book; Producing book covers; Designing text layout; Discussing publishing and printing details; Editing final versions of book; Setting my own deadlines; Self published multiple children's picture books; Great at working with others
Illustration Fair Stall Volunteer / Exhibitor Support at Illustration fairs (voluntary)
January 1, 2018 - Present
Set up stalls and displayed work, assisted customers, attracted visitors to the stand, supported sales by exchanging money, and networked with other illustrators.
Freelance Illustrator at Self-employed (freelance)
January 1, 2018 - Present
Communicated with customers, negotiated project pricing, worked across a range of materials and art styles, and incorporated feedback and corrections. Packaged and presented artwork, supported payments and product exchanges, and worked confidently with Microsoft and Adobe tools on both PC and Mac.
Volunteer – Illustration Fair Stalls
January 1, 2018 - Present
Setting up stalls, displaying artwork, assisting customers, attracting attendees, handling sales and money, networking with other illustrators.
Freelance Illustrator
January 1, 2018 - Present
Communicating with customers, negotiating prices, pursuing ongoing learning, running a freelance business, working across materials and styles, receiving and applying feedback, packaging and presenting work, working independently, handling payments and exchanges, proficient with Microsoft and Adobe software, comfortable on PC and Mac.
Illustration Stall Volunteer at Illustration Fair Stalls
January 1, 2018 - Present
Setting up stalls and displaying artwork; offering help and assistance to customers; attracting customers; networking with other illustrators at fairs.
Volunteer Illustrator at Illustration Fair Stalls
January 1, 2018 - Present
Setting up stalls, displaying work, assisting customers, attracting attendees, working with sales and handling money, networking with other illustrators at fairs.
Volunteer - Illustration Fair Stalls at Illustration Fair Stalls
January 1, 2018 - Present
Setting up stalls, displaying work, assisting customers, attracting visitors, handling sales and money, networking with other illustrators.
Illustration Fair Stall Volunteer at Illustration Fair Stalls
January 1, 2018 - November 26, 2025
Setting up stalls and displaying work; Offering help and assistance for customers; Attracting customers to the stand; Working with sales and exchanging money; Networking with other illustrators at the fair
Freelance Illustrator at Self-employed
January 1, 2018 - November 26, 2025
Communicating with customers; Negotiating a price; Passion for learning; Knowledge in running a business; Can work in a range of materials and art styles; Receiving feedback and making corrections; Packaging and presenting product; Great at working independently; Processing payment and arranging product exchange; Confident with using Microsoft and Adobe software; Ability to work with PC and Mac appliances
Animal Care Assistant at Endsleigh Garden Centre
July 1, 2013 - July 31, 2013
Provided customer service and on-floor assistance while supporting animal care. Completed daily checks to ensure animals were healthy, deep-cleaned animal enclosures, and fed a variety of animals with different diets including rodents, birds and reptiles.
Animal Care Assistant at Endsleigh Garden Center
July 1, 2013 - July 1, 2013
Helped with customer service and on-floor assistance; daily checks on the animals to ensure they were healthy; deep cleaned the animals’ enclosures; fed a wide range of animals with varying diets including rodents, birds and reptiles.

Education

BA (Hons) Illustration Degree at University of Plymouth
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020
Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media at Tor Bridge High
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Advanced Subsidiary Fine Art at Hele's School
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016
Advanced Level Fine Art at Hele's School
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016
GCSEs (Art and Design, Religious Studies, Business and Communication Systems, English Literature, Media Studies, English Language, Science, Mathematics, Statistics) at Hele's School
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2014
BA (Hons) Illustration at University of Plymouth
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020
Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media at Tor Bridge High
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Advanced Subsidiary Fine Art at Hele's School
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015
Advanced Level Fine Art at Hele's School
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2016
GCSEs at Hele's School
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2014
BA (Hons) Illustration at University of Plymouth
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020
Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media at Tor Bridge High
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
A-Levels: Fine Art (Advanced Subsidiary) and Fine Art at Hele's School
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016
GCSEs: Art and Design; Religious Studies; Business and Communication Systems; English Literature; Media Studies; English Language; Science; Mathematics; Statistics at Hele's School
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2014
BA (Hons) Illustration Degree at University of Plymouth
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020
Foundation Diploma in Art, Design at Tor Bridge High
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
A-Levels: Fine Art at Hele’s School
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016
GCSEs at Hele’s School
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2014
BA (Hons) Illustration at University of Plymouth
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020
Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media at Tor Bridge High
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
A-Levels: Fine Art at Hele’s School
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016
GCSEs at Hele’s School
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2014
BA (hons) Illustration - First Class at University of Plymouth
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2020
Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media - Distinction at Tor Bridge High
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Advanced Subsidiary Fine Art at Hele’s School
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015
Advanced Level Fine Art at Hele’s School
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2016

Qualifications

Ink Journal 2020 Winning submission
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
Plymouth University: Creative CV Competition 2020 Second place
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
University of Plymouth Art Exhibition
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017
Rotary Young Artists Exhibition Highly Commended Award
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Ink Journal 2020 Winning Submission
January 11, 2030 - March 17, 2026
University of Plymouth Creative CV Competition - Second Place
January 11, 2030 - March 17, 2026
Rotary Young Artists Exhibition - Highly Commended
January 11, 2030 - March 17, 2026
A-Levels: Fine Art (Grades A/A*) and related subjects
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016
GCSEs: Art and Design (A*), Religious Studies (A), and other subjects
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2014

Industry Experience

Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Computers & Electronics, Other, Media & Entertainment, Retail
    Picture Book Portfolio- Tatum Croft
    Here is my up-to-date portfolio for children's picture books. I have experience in character design, thumbnailing, illustrating both animal characters and people, and creating finished illustrations. I can illustrate picture books, and I also have experience designing the entire book in Adobe software, including covers, internal page design, image layout, and text placement. My style is digital but full of colour and texture. I particularly love creating imagery inspired by nature. illustrator childrensbooks picturebooks kidsbooks childrensillustrator bookdesign illustrationportfolio portfolio…
    Don't Hug Dug- Children's picture book
    A children's picture book that I illustrated and designed for self-publication by Francesca Lees. Don't Hug Dug is a book that teaches families about dog's body language and what signals they give off when they need space. Poppy loves her dog Dug and wants to show him how much she loves him but sometimes he needs space. Join Poppy as she discovers how to keep Dug happy and how to show him she loves him whilst learning all about dog body language signals. Don’t Hug Dug! is a fun picture book for children with an important message. A must-read for all families who own a dog or are thinking of adding a dog to their family. As someone who always loves to incorporate animals and nature in my illustrations, this project was amazing to work on. I am in love with the way it turned out, filled with texture, colour and little details to keep children entertained while reading. This project was budget-based and we worked out a payment plan that worked for us both, along with splitting royalties for the book 50/50 to help reduce upfront payments. Frankie self-published herself online using a private printing service. It was a pleasure working with Frankie on this book, and is still one of my favourite books I've worked on.…
    Gracie and Mouse are Moving House- Children's Book Project
    A children's picture book that I illustrated and designed for self-publication by Naomi Tyrrell, PhD. Gracie is a girl who is moving house. She isn’t moving on her own though, she has her toy mouse! Find out what happens to Gracie and Mouse on moving day, when they make new friends and find new places to play! This children's picture book is available to purchase on Amazon, in both paperback and ebook formats. Perfect for children aged 3-8. This project was the first picture book I ever worked on (other than my own unfinished projects). I had just graduated from University and was taken on as an intern to help fund this book. This book is fun, creative and a lovely rhyming book to read with little ones. This book was partly funded, and 10% of royalties went to charity to help families in need. We share the remaining royalties 50/50. It was such a pleasure working with Naomi, who had a passion for helping families dealing with the difficulties of migrating, creating this book as an aid for young children to cope with the pressure of moving house.…
    What Flutters Above- Children's picture book
    A children's picture book that I illustrated and designed to be self-published by Charles Dunrod. What Flutters Above is a heartfelt story about friendship, identity and the power of empathy. This story reveals the hardships of battling discrimination and the importance of celebrating diversity. Join Athena and her friends on this journey of discovering kindness to all. Perfect for children aged between 3-8. This project was a lovely project to collaborate on. It was a long picture book spanning over 40+ pages and was heavy with characters so the project took a while to do, especially as i was working through it during covid along with two pregnancies and maternity leave. We had an affordable payment plan in place that worked for us both, and we split the royalties for the book 50/50. This book is self-published through IngramSpark. It was a pleasure working on this book, especially getting to design and illustrate so many diverse characters in such a heartfelt story.…