Denise Holmes leading a children's drawing workshop with a young participant creating artwork at a table.

drawing workshop!

↑

so glad you’re here!

Hey, I’m Denise!

I create illustrations for board books about the little things kids notice first: animals, foods, family, big feelings, daily routines, and play.

Read my story ↓
Say hello 👋
Shelf of Denise Holmes’ illustrated board books, including My First Pickleball Paddle and My First Cowboy Boots.

How I Found My Way to Board Books

I’ve been illustrating children’s picture books for the past 14 years, but my path to board books took a little while. I started out making art for gallery shows, selling prints, and working in commercial illustration before an editor found my work on Pinterest in 2012 and asked if I’d like to illustrate a picture book. That one email opened the door to children’s publishing, and for a long time, I thought the traditional picture book was the only place I was supposed to be.

When I first met my agent, she sat down with me and said my style would be perfect for baby board books, and suddenly everything made sense.

The bold shapes, cute characters, bright colors, and playful simplicity that have always been part of my work belong in board books. It made me realize that my place is within these joyful and essential little books. Now I make books and art for kids ages 0-100, inspired by the fun, playful things babies notice first: animals, snacks, people, feelings, routines, and play!

Denise Holmes’ illustration studio workspace with bookshelves, art supplies, and creative tools for making children’s books.

The magic of board books

Board books are a part of a baby’s world. They are looked at, read aloud, carried around, hugged, loved, and probably chewed on. They become an object that introduces a baby to their world and a world of what books can do.

I draw the little things that kids notice first

  • Animals, foods, people, feelings, routines, and toys

  • Everyday moments that can feel big for a baby

  • Bright colors, simple shapes, and cute characters

Board books are so fun because I get to be part illustrator, part designer, part storyteller, and part tiny-world builder, all in one little book!

behind the work

My Process

  • Pencil sketch of a child character in Denise Holmes’ illustration process, showing an early concept drawing.

    1. Sketch

    My process starts in my sketchbook with rough drawings of objects, characters, and the small moments that I want to include.

  • Thumbnail sketches showing character designs and layout planning for Denise Holmes’ children's book illustration process.

    2. Thumbnails

    From there, I get to move on to thumbnails, where I figure out the story's layout, pacing, and shape.

  • Character illustration of a child holding a sign that reads “Hi Barfy! Hi Barfy!” from Denise Holmes’ sketch-to-color process.

    3. Color

    Once the sketches are approved, I start finalizing the work by picking a color palette and adding all the fun details that make the board book feel complete.

  • Digital illustration of a child character wearing a blue hat and riding a scooter, showing Denise Holmes’ coloring process.

    4. Digital

    Even though my process starts with pencil and paper, I finish my work digitally using a mix of programs and apps, handmade textures, and hand lettering.

Denise Holmes illustration studio with a bright workspace, plants, artwork, and creative tools for children's book illustration.

My inspiration comes from vintage children’s books, old toys, and childhood memories from the 80s and 90s. I love the simple sweetness of Dick Bruna, the busy worlds of Richard Scarry, the humor of James Marshall, the friendliness of Arnold Lobel, and the weird and wonderful humor of Roald Dahl. I’m also influenced by Pippi Longstocking, Hello Kitty, Pee-Wee Herman, and anything else that feels playful, graphic, and a little nostalgic.

Denise Holmes’ illustration workspace with a desk, plants, artwork, and creative tools used for children’s book projects.

a peek inside my studio

  • Desk and shelves in Denise Holmes’ illustration studio with books, artwork, and tools used for creating children’s books.
  • Denise Holmes’ illustration studio workspace with a desk, bookshelves, artwork, and creative tools for making children’s books.
  • Shelf in Denise Holmes’ illustration studio with children’s books, artwork, and creative supplies used for her projects.
  • Close-up of colorful markers in Denise Holmes’ illustration studio, showing tools used for creating artwork.
  • Denise Holmes’ illustration studio with a desk, bookshelves, artwork, and creative tools for making children’s books.
  • Close-up of art supplies in Denise Holmes’ illustration studio, including markers and tools used for creating children’s book artwork.

20+

books published

14

years illustrating

‘23

Faculty of the Year

the official-ish stuff

A Few Nice Things

I’ve been illustrating children’s books for 14 years and have worked on over 20 books for publishers including Little Simon, Cottage Door Press, and Ten Speed Young Readers. I’ve also taught illustration at Columbia College Chicago, where I was named Faculty of the Year in 2023. My proudest accomplishment is winning a hula-hooping contest at a local fair when I was five years old.

My client list includes:

Priddy Books

Odd Dot

Simon & Schuster (Little Simon)

Macmillan

Sourcebooks

Cottage Door Press

Little Grasshopper

Roost Books

Owlkids Books

Yo-Yo Books

Townhouse Publishing

Crate & Kids

Bravery Magazine

Highlights Magazine

Stop by the Niseeland Shop

Shop for playful prints, paper goods, and tiny treasures made for little readers ages 0 to 100!

Shop Niseeland

Come Visit Play Time

Sign up for my newsletter to learn more about my board books, sketchbook peeks, shop updates, and the things that inspire my world for little readers.

Join Play Time