Top 20 illustrators to follow on Instagram
As a social media platform focused on visuals, Instagram is the perfect place for illustrators to find inspiration and connect with other creatives. And there are tons of super talented illustrators sharing their work, bringing followers behind the scenes of their illustration process, and offering tips and lessons on how to get started as a freelance designer, too.
Here are 20 of our favorites for you to check out.
Petra Eriksson
Illustration style: retro, bright, and bold
We love Petra’s bold illustrations and trademark Warhol-esque style. Throughout her Instagram, Petra shares current and past work, plus initial sketches and progress videos that give you a view into her illustration process.
Ryan Putnam
Illustration style: line art, hand-painting
Over on his Instagram, Ryan Putnam shares a ton of artwork, including illustrations. His Highlights are categorized, so you can take a look at illustrative work or browse his entire Instagram to see all the varied styles and media Ryan creates with.
Nneka Myers
Illustration style: textured, character, children’s book
A children’s book illustrator and TV animation designer, Nneka’s diverse and progressive body of work is a breath of fresh air for every illustrator’s Instagram feed. Nneka shares everything from finished and published children’s book work to pencil sketches and her own reimagining of classic characters (peep baby Moana here).
Linn Warme
Illustration style: patterns, nature
We love Swedish illustrator and print designer Linn Warme’s Instagram for its colorful, nature-inspired patterns. Plus, Linn shares fascinating looks at her hand-painted patterns in progress.
Jess Phoenix
Illustration style: bright and bold, patterns
Jess Phoenix’s bright, bold, and nature-inspired patterns are sure to brighten up your Instagram feed. On her own account, Jess shares finished work, plus some of the ways her illustrations and patterns have inspired other artists (look at these manicures!)
David van der Veen
Illustration style: Abstract, textured, bright and bold
We love David’s style of varied, abstract subject matter done up in bold, warming color schemes. David shares a ton of his digital work on Instagram, along with published editorial work and even a mural on tile.
Chungi Yoo
Illustration style: textured, character
Chungi Yoo’s vivid illustrations breathe life into the characters and stories she draws. Chungi doesn’t shy away from difficult or politically fraught subject matter—her work unapologetically calls out prejudice and offers support for those like and unlike Chungi.
Carla Llanos
Illustration style: flat, hand-painted, neutral
We love how calming Carla Llanos’ flat botanical illustrations in muted color schemes are. Carla’s Instagram is the perfect antidote to any busy, loud Instagram feed. Plus, followers get to see all the ways her work turns into products like frame prints, phone cases, t-shirts, and more.
Gun Karlsson
Illustration style: hand-drawn, still life
On Instagram, Gun Karlsson shares a wide variety of illustration work. From illustrations drawn for limited edition Budweiser bottles to beautifully detailed still life-style work and bold digital design work, there’s always something new and different to see on Gun’s Instagram.
Owen Gent
Illustration style: Abstract, textured, book covers
We love how unique Owen’s warm, abstract illustrations are. Plus, fellow (and aspiring) book cover illustrators can check out the Highlight featuring all of Owen’s published book work for tons of inspiration.
Sam Jayne
Illustration style: cartoon
Sam Jayne’s Instagram promises “pink, positive illustrations to make you smile,” and she delivers. In colorful cartoon style, Sam shares client work, illustrations for purchase, and inspirational graphics.
Shawna X
Illustration style: abstract
Shawna X’s unique, abstract illustrations are some of the most unique work we came across. Her bright style borders on the psychedelic and she shares a variety of work, including a full store concept done for Nike and brought to life in their store.
Sarah Alice Rabbit
Illustration style: bright and bold, editorial
Sarah Alice Rabbit shares mostly editorial work on her Instagram and her posts are a masterclass in developing a consistent, trademark illustration style. Plus, Sarah shares peeks into works in progress and alternate versions of finished illustrations.
Ben Bauchau
Illustration style: Concept art, character
Ben Bauchau’s detailed character and concept art illustrations bring followers to another world. For a look at how Ben brings these characters to life, followers can check out a lengthy Highlight dedicated to sharing works in progress at various stages.
Quentin Monge
Illustration style: Flat, abstract
We love the simplicity and minimal style of Quentin Monge’s illustrations. Quentin largely lets the work speak for itself, offering followers the opportunity to invent their own stories and scenarios for each piece.
Joey Yu
Illustration style: Line art, hand-drawn, abstract
Joey Yu’s work skews toward raw hand-drawn, line-art style illustrations—and it’s some of the most unique work on our list. Joey shares a variety of both illustration and animation work, including published editorial work and her visual interpretation of meaningful poetry.
Janice Sung
Illustration style: Comic book, hand-painted
Janice Sung’s hand-painted style borders on the comic book and character art side of illustration. Followers get to see finished work in a variety of styles, plus videos that show Janice’s sketching process from beginning to end.
Scott Biersack
Illustration style: lettering
Scott Biersack’s Instagram is dedicated primarily to his lettering work. Still, followers are in for a ton of variety and inspiration from Scott’s work, which features individual lettering illustrations along with a look at entire series’ worth of work.
Carlotta Notaro
Illustration style: Flat, abstract, textured
Carlotta Notaro’s warm, natural style might inspire you. And, it might make you hungry, too. Her illustrations include character work, abstract nature scenes, and lots of food. We love her interpretation (pictured above) of what it feels like to get lost in the work.
Check out Carlotta’s Instagram
Juliette Oberndorfer
Illustration style: Fantasy, bright and bold
We love Juliette Oberndorfer’s bright and bold fantasy illustrations. Juliette shares illustrative concept art featuring a variety of animals and landscapes, along with subtle animations that bring her work to life.
Check out Juliette’s Instagram
Illustrators to follow and learn from
Whether you’re a seasoned illustrator or an aspiring one, the pros above offer a ton of valuable inspiration and tips to grace your Instagram feed. Check them out to get inspired, learn new skills, and connect with like-minded artists.
