I'm Rory Walker, a freelance illustrator, cartoonist and visual storyteller based in Bristol, United Kingdom. With over 25 years of professional practice, I work for publishers, brands, agencies and cultural institutions worldwide, specializing in character-driven illustration, cartoons, comics, and narrative artwork across editorial, publishing, education, marketing and digital platforms. I thrive on delivering distinctive, expressive visuals on brief and on time, with a collaborative spirit. My toolkit spans traditional media (oil, acrylic, watercolour, pencil, ink) and digital workflows (Photoshop, Illustrator), and I’ve explored AI-assisted illustration to expand creative possibilities. Over the years I’ve collaborated with Canterbury Cathedral, OUP, Cambridge University Press, Macmillan, Usborne, Hachette, Harcourt, Aardman Animation and many educational publishers, producing comics, maps, storyboards and hundreds of illustrated titles for readers worldwide.

Rory Walker

I'm Rory Walker, a freelance illustrator, cartoonist and visual storyteller based in Bristol, United Kingdom. With over 25 years of professional practice, I work for publishers, brands, agencies and cultural institutions worldwide, specializing in character-driven illustration, cartoons, comics, and narrative artwork across editorial, publishing, education, marketing and digital platforms. I thrive on delivering distinctive, expressive visuals on brief and on time, with a collaborative spirit. My toolkit spans traditional media (oil, acrylic, watercolour, pencil, ink) and digital workflows (Photoshop, Illustrator), and I’ve explored AI-assisted illustration to expand creative possibilities. Over the years I’ve collaborated with Canterbury Cathedral, OUP, Cambridge University Press, Macmillan, Usborne, Hachette, Harcourt, Aardman Animation and many educational publishers, producing comics, maps, storyboards and hundreds of illustrated titles for readers worldwide.

Available to hire

I’m Rory Walker, a freelance illustrator, cartoonist and visual storyteller based in Bristol, United Kingdom. With over 25 years of professional practice, I work for publishers, brands, agencies and cultural institutions worldwide, specializing in character-driven illustration, cartoons, comics, and narrative artwork across editorial, publishing, education, marketing and digital platforms.

I thrive on delivering distinctive, expressive visuals on brief and on time, with a collaborative spirit. My toolkit spans traditional media (oil, acrylic, watercolour, pencil, ink) and digital workflows (Photoshop, Illustrator), and I’ve explored AI-assisted illustration to expand creative possibilities. Over the years I’ve collaborated with Canterbury Cathedral, OUP, Cambridge University Press, Macmillan, Usborne, Hachette, Harcourt, Aardman Animation and many educational publishers, producing comics, maps, storyboards and hundreds of illustrated titles for readers worldwide.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Freelance Illustrator, Cartoonist & Painter at Self-Employed
January 1, 1998 - Present
Illustrator working across publishing, editorial, education, branding and digital media. Notable outputs include Canterbury Cathedral visitor guide detailing The Canterbury Tales; Everything With Words Publishing; Salariya Publishing on the Live from the Crypt 10-book graphic novel series; Aardman Animation concept artwork; Useeum AR app character design for Hereford Cathedral; La Settimana Enigmistica puzzle design and detective comics; and work for educational publishers including OUP, Cambridge University Press, Macmillan, Usborne, Hachette and Harcourt. Additional output includes comics for Aces Weekly, maps, storyboards and editorial cartoons, with over 150 children’s and chapter books published internationally.
Fine Artist at Self-Employed
January 1, 2025 - Present
Exhibiting abstract paintings with placements in Art Brut and Swindon Museum (June 2025).
AI Art Creator at Self-Employed
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Produced bespoke AI-assisted artwork using DALL·E, Remix.ai and Leonardo.ai; consulted on AI workflows for creatives.
Freelance Illustrator at The Bright Agency
January 1, 2021 - Present
Character and scene design for international publishers and brands; collaborative visual development and production art.
Illustrator (Marketing Artist) at Quest Software
January 1, 2021 - Present
Created visual assets for marketing events, campaigns and in-house materials.
Illustrator at Practical365.com
January 1, 2019 - Present
Produced bold, colourful illustrations seen by thousands of IT professionals monthly.
Senior Visual / UI Designer at Quadrotech & Dyson
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2019
Visual communication, UX/UI, documentation and illustration supporting complex products and platforms.

Education

MA Sequential Design at Brighton University
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012
BA(Hons) Illustration at Falmouth University
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998
MA Sequential Design at Brighton University
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012
BA(Hons) Illustration at Falmouth University
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998
MA Sequential Design at Brighton University
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2012
BA(hons) Illustration at Falmouth University
January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1998

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Other