I first encountered Mithila Art when I was researching a book I illustrated about the Terai region of Nepal, and came across artwork by women from the Janakpur Women's Development Centre. I later saw a lot more of it on Instagram, based in Bihar, particularly around the town of Madhubani (it's often called Madhubani Painting). Its emphasis on shape and pattern over perspective has always fascinated me; it's a very different way of thinking about making pictures and I love it.

Inspired by Treebeard the Ent, from Lord of the Rings:


Inspired by a scene in the television series The Marvelous Mrs Maisel:


More Marvelous Mrs Maisel:


Inspired by Railhead book trilogy, by Philip Reeve:



A holiday doodle:


A traction city from Mortal Engines, by Philip Reeve:


Airhaven, from Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve:


Holiday doodle:


Inspired by the Wallace Collection's Dish with bust of a woman, artist unknown, Deruta, Italy, some time between 1515-1540:


Self portrait in my studio:


Portrait doodle:


Characters from my picture book Grumpycorn:


Mermaid and Colin the Crab:


Tree full of raccoons:


Squiggles (inspired by Jon Burgerman):


Stuart loves trams: