Natalie Melinek
@nataliemelinek.bsky.social
Author illustrator - PBParty 2024 honourable mention.
Mum to four delicious boys, SEND advocate and teacher, living in Herts UK.
And in the evening I’m a singer in a band. 🤘
Mum to four delicious boys, SEND advocate and teacher, living in Herts UK.
And in the evening I’m a singer in a band. 🤘
I’m sitting in A&E with my son who’s hurt his leg after a back flip (because of course, why not?)
I was quietly sketching away, trying to be subtle when these lovely ladies came over and sat opposite.
‘You can do us if you like!’
So I did. They were so tickled
#kidlitillustration #walktosee
I was quietly sketching away, trying to be subtle when these lovely ladies came over and sat opposite.
‘You can do us if you like!’
So I did. They were so tickled
#kidlitillustration #walktosee
May 8, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I’m sitting in A&E with my son who’s hurt his leg after a back flip (because of course, why not?)
I was quietly sketching away, trying to be subtle when these lovely ladies came over and sat opposite.
‘You can do us if you like!’
So I did. They were so tickled
#kidlitillustration #walktosee
I was quietly sketching away, trying to be subtle when these lovely ladies came over and sat opposite.
‘You can do us if you like!’
So I did. They were so tickled
#kidlitillustration #walktosee
open.substack.com/pub/nataliem...
Late in the day but with the school Easter holidays an' all... Here's my Bologna substack though - enjoy!
Late in the day but with the school Easter holidays an' all... Here's my Bologna substack though - enjoy!
April 23, 2025 at 11:36 AM
open.substack.com/pub/nataliem...
Late in the day but with the school Easter holidays an' all... Here's my Bologna substack though - enjoy!
Late in the day but with the school Easter holidays an' all... Here's my Bologna substack though - enjoy!
Exhausted post Bologna but also feeling gloriously energised to finish off books I’ve been working on. Here’s a little snippet of what I’ve been working on today.
#kidlitillustration #picturebooks #dummybook #traditionalillustration
#kidlitillustration #picturebooks #dummybook #traditionalillustration
April 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Exhausted post Bologna but also feeling gloriously energised to finish off books I’ve been working on. Here’s a little snippet of what I’ve been working on today.
#kidlitillustration #picturebooks #dummybook #traditionalillustration
#kidlitillustration #picturebooks #dummybook #traditionalillustration
Time for a bit of hide and seek!
My little ones would often hide in the oddest of places and assume I was too!
#kidlitillustration #kidlitpostcard #childhoodillustrated #pbpitch #seekingrepresentation #kidlitart
My little ones would often hide in the oddest of places and assume I was too!
#kidlitillustration #kidlitpostcard #childhoodillustrated #pbpitch #seekingrepresentation #kidlitart
March 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Time for a bit of hide and seek!
My little ones would often hide in the oddest of places and assume I was too!
#kidlitillustration #kidlitpostcard #childhoodillustrated #pbpitch #seekingrepresentation #kidlitart
My little ones would often hide in the oddest of places and assume I was too!
#kidlitillustration #kidlitpostcard #childhoodillustrated #pbpitch #seekingrepresentation #kidlitart
This little pair were standing individually in my sketchbook. I’ve now brought them together into their own little scene. Unfortunately, not everyone is enjoying themselves in the snow!
#kidlitillustration #pbpitch #childhoodillustrated #seekingrepresentation #snowballfight
#kidlitillustration #pbpitch #childhoodillustrated #seekingrepresentation #snowballfight
February 19, 2025 at 9:12 PM
This little pair were standing individually in my sketchbook. I’ve now brought them together into their own little scene. Unfortunately, not everyone is enjoying themselves in the snow!
#kidlitillustration #pbpitch #childhoodillustrated #seekingrepresentation #snowballfight
#kidlitillustration #pbpitch #childhoodillustrated #seekingrepresentation #snowballfight
School pick up is a whole lot harder when you’re a frog.
#kidlitillustration #kidlit #watercolourillustration
#kidlitillustration #kidlit #watercolourillustration
February 13, 2025 at 9:08 PM
School pick up is a whole lot harder when you’re a frog.
#kidlitillustration #kidlit #watercolourillustration
#kidlitillustration #kidlit #watercolourillustration
Wishing for warmer days now! In the meantime, it’s hot chocolate and slippers by the fire whilst painting summer scenes.
#kidlitillustration #pbillustrator #childhoodillustrated #seekingrepresentation
#kidlitillustration #pbillustrator #childhoodillustrated #seekingrepresentation
February 5, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Wishing for warmer days now! In the meantime, it’s hot chocolate and slippers by the fire whilst painting summer scenes.
#kidlitillustration #pbillustrator #childhoodillustrated #seekingrepresentation
#kidlitillustration #pbillustrator #childhoodillustrated #seekingrepresentation
I really enjoyed slowing down with this piece and using my practice session from drawing shoes in a complete image.
January 16, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I really enjoyed slowing down with this piece and using my practice session from drawing shoes in a complete image.
Tackling my fears today and working on getting better at drawing feet and shoes. Some more successful than others but hopefully I’ll be a bit braver moving forward!
#kidlitillustration #drawingshoes #observationaldrawing
#kidlitillustration #drawingshoes #observationaldrawing
January 11, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Tackling my fears today and working on getting better at drawing feet and shoes. Some more successful than others but hopefully I’ll be a bit braver moving forward!
#kidlitillustration #drawingshoes #observationaldrawing
#kidlitillustration #drawingshoes #observationaldrawing
I’m reworking my website at the moment and looking at ideas for a header piece alongside my name.
Would love your thoughts on this one.
#kidlitillustration #websitedesign
Would love your thoughts on this one.
#kidlitillustration #websitedesign
January 5, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I’m reworking my website at the moment and looking at ideas for a header piece alongside my name.
Would love your thoughts on this one.
#kidlitillustration #websitedesign
Would love your thoughts on this one.
#kidlitillustration #websitedesign
Some lighthearted intentions for the new year. What goals are you setting?
Who is going to Bologna? I’d love to organise meet ups for sketching etc!
If you make an art bingo for yourself, please do tag me as I’d love to see
#goodshipillo #bcbf #newyearintentions #artbingo #bolognabookfair
Who is going to Bologna? I’d love to organise meet ups for sketching etc!
If you make an art bingo for yourself, please do tag me as I’d love to see
#goodshipillo #bcbf #newyearintentions #artbingo #bolognabookfair
January 1, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Some lighthearted intentions for the new year. What goals are you setting?
Who is going to Bologna? I’d love to organise meet ups for sketching etc!
If you make an art bingo for yourself, please do tag me as I’d love to see
#goodshipillo #bcbf #newyearintentions #artbingo #bolognabookfair
Who is going to Bologna? I’d love to organise meet ups for sketching etc!
If you make an art bingo for yourself, please do tag me as I’d love to see
#goodshipillo #bcbf #newyearintentions #artbingo #bolognabookfair
My son asked if we could sit and do some art together this afternoon. I couldn’t resist doing a little study of his beautiful face as he painted.
#kidlitillustration #portrait #sketchbook #goodshipillo #illustrationdept #childhoodillustrated #walktosee #sketchbookstudy #picturebookillustration
#kidlitillustration #portrait #sketchbook #goodshipillo #illustrationdept #childhoodillustrated #walktosee #sketchbookstudy #picturebookillustration
December 29, 2024 at 5:30 PM
My son asked if we could sit and do some art together this afternoon. I couldn’t resist doing a little study of his beautiful face as he painted.
#kidlitillustration #portrait #sketchbook #goodshipillo #illustrationdept #childhoodillustrated #walktosee #sketchbookstudy #picturebookillustration
#kidlitillustration #portrait #sketchbook #goodshipillo #illustrationdept #childhoodillustrated #walktosee #sketchbookstudy #picturebookillustration
A wonderful Quentin Blake Workshop with the London Drawing Group
Merry Christmas all!
Merry Christmas all!
December 22, 2024 at 4:58 PM
A wonderful Quentin Blake Workshop with the London Drawing Group
Merry Christmas all!
Merry Christmas all!
Steve forgot Mandy’s birthday. Again.
I have absolutely no idea where I’m going with this, but I’m really enjoying drawing stroppy bunnies in my sketchbook!
#sketchbook #rabbitagram #characterplay #characterdevelopment #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator #sketchbookplay
I have absolutely no idea where I’m going with this, but I’m really enjoying drawing stroppy bunnies in my sketchbook!
#sketchbook #rabbitagram #characterplay #characterdevelopment #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator #sketchbookplay
December 14, 2024 at 3:36 PM
Steve forgot Mandy’s birthday. Again.
I have absolutely no idea where I’m going with this, but I’m really enjoying drawing stroppy bunnies in my sketchbook!
#sketchbook #rabbitagram #characterplay #characterdevelopment #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator #sketchbookplay
I have absolutely no idea where I’m going with this, but I’m really enjoying drawing stroppy bunnies in my sketchbook!
#sketchbook #rabbitagram #characterplay #characterdevelopment #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator #sketchbookplay
Steve was not impressed.
Fiddling about drawing rabbits, struggling to think of what to draw and thought I may as well draw SOMETHING and this chap decided to step forward to tell me to just blimmin well get on with it.
Alright Steve.
#sketchbookplay #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator
Fiddling about drawing rabbits, struggling to think of what to draw and thought I may as well draw SOMETHING and this chap decided to step forward to tell me to just blimmin well get on with it.
Alright Steve.
#sketchbookplay #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator
December 13, 2024 at 3:34 AM
Steve was not impressed.
Fiddling about drawing rabbits, struggling to think of what to draw and thought I may as well draw SOMETHING and this chap decided to step forward to tell me to just blimmin well get on with it.
Alright Steve.
#sketchbookplay #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator
Fiddling about drawing rabbits, struggling to think of what to draw and thought I may as well draw SOMETHING and this chap decided to step forward to tell me to just blimmin well get on with it.
Alright Steve.
#sketchbookplay #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator
A little piece straight from the sketchbook. I’m trying really hard to, well, stop trying so hard. I find this a much more comfortable way of working.
November 28, 2024 at 5:54 PM
A little piece straight from the sketchbook. I’m trying really hard to, well, stop trying so hard. I find this a much more comfortable way of working.
An absolutely magical day at The Design Museum visiting the Tim Burton exhibition with the fabulous @jenjamieson.bsky.social
#illustration #timburton #animation #designmuseumlondon
#illustration #timburton #animation #designmuseumlondon
November 19, 2024 at 4:31 PM
An absolutely magical day at The Design Museum visiting the Tim Burton exhibition with the fabulous @jenjamieson.bsky.social
#illustration #timburton #animation #designmuseumlondon
#illustration #timburton #animation #designmuseumlondon
A little close up from a dummy I’m working on at the moment that will soon be looking for a home.
September 19, 2024 at 10:50 AM
A little close up from a dummy I’m working on at the moment that will soon be looking for a home.
It’s summer holidays and with four kids at home, time to make is precious and infrequent. I get the odd moment though and I’m carrying on work on a book that’s very special to me.
#goodshippicturebooks #illodept #grief #wordlessbook #pbpitch #seekingrepresentation #goodshipillo #kidlitillustration
#goodshippicturebooks #illodept #grief #wordlessbook #pbpitch #seekingrepresentation #goodshipillo #kidlitillustration
August 7, 2024 at 8:18 PM
It’s summer holidays and with four kids at home, time to make is precious and infrequent. I get the odd moment though and I’m carrying on work on a book that’s very special to me.
#goodshippicturebooks #illodept #grief #wordlessbook #pbpitch #seekingrepresentation #goodshipillo #kidlitillustration
#goodshippicturebooks #illodept #grief #wordlessbook #pbpitch #seekingrepresentation #goodshipillo #kidlitillustration
Pages and pages of sketches and every so often, something pops up that I love.
#kidlit #dummybooks #sketchbook #pbpitch
#kidlit #dummybooks #sketchbook #pbpitch
June 15, 2024 at 1:57 PM
Pages and pages of sketches and every so often, something pops up that I love.
#kidlit #dummybooks #sketchbook #pbpitch
#kidlit #dummybooks #sketchbook #pbpitch
One of my favourite parts of book making is the process of experimenting with colour and composition and making sure each spread packs as much storytelling and emotion into it as possible.
#kidlitillustration #pbpitch
#kidlitillustration #pbpitch
June 12, 2024 at 10:35 AM
One of my favourite parts of book making is the process of experimenting with colour and composition and making sure each spread packs as much storytelling and emotion into it as possible.
#kidlitillustration #pbpitch
#kidlitillustration #pbpitch
It’s my eldest son’s birthday today. 15 years old. How on earth did that happen?
#illustration #comicbook #comicstrip #qbcentre #kidlitillustration #pbillustration #parentingillustration #parentingfunny #motherandson #kidlitillustration #goodshipillo
#illustration #comicbook #comicstrip #qbcentre #kidlitillustration #pbillustration #parentingillustration #parentingfunny #motherandson #kidlitillustration #goodshipillo
April 7, 2024 at 7:40 AM
It’s my eldest son’s birthday today. 15 years old. How on earth did that happen?
#illustration #comicbook #comicstrip #qbcentre #kidlitillustration #pbillustration #parentingillustration #parentingfunny #motherandson #kidlitillustration #goodshipillo
#illustration #comicbook #comicstrip #qbcentre #kidlitillustration #pbillustration #parentingillustration #parentingfunny #motherandson #kidlitillustration #goodshipillo
Evening all. Here’s a little Friday night challenge for you. Who can name this football club? Bonus points if you can name the decade the reference photo was taken.
March 8, 2024 at 8:21 PM
Evening all. Here’s a little Friday night challenge for you. Who can name this football club? Bonus points if you can name the decade the reference photo was taken.
So here I am, welcoming myself to Bluesky. Getting thoroughly confused with the multitude of Twitter alternatives. Is this a nice place to hang out?
February 27, 2024 at 12:00 PM
So here I am, welcoming myself to Bluesky. Getting thoroughly confused with the multitude of Twitter alternatives. Is this a nice place to hang out?