Panda in Kew Garden

This was a commissioned illustration featuring a playful panda living in Kew Gardens, along with a series of supporting sketches. The project included a hand-drawn map of the gardens designed to spark curiosity and delight — especially for a younger audience.

The artwork was created using watercolor and ink, combining detailed linework with soft, expressive washes.

One of the main challenges was representing the many winding paths and iconic landmarks within Kew Gardens — it’s a vast and intricate space! The goal was to make the map both visually engaging and easy to follow, while still keeping it light and fun.

This project reminded me how important it is to keep a sense of play in illustration — especially when creating for children. A little whimsy goes a long way in bringing joy and connection to the viewer.