Nina Watson

Creating atmosphere

I studied Art & Design in Bath, where I developed a love of the city’s architecture, history and beautiful details. My work combined painting, drawing and collage, often with digital techniques, to capture the feeling of a place or a moment in time.

I went on to work as an illustrator across publishing, editorial, greetings cards and advertising. I loved bringing different materials and images together, building up layers to tell a story and create something personal. Mixing hand-drawn details with digital processes became a natural part of how I worked.

Bedtime Stories

Some stories stay with us long after childhood. My Grandpa used to read Edward Lear’s poems to us when we were small, and whenever I hear The Owl and the Pussycat, I think of him.

When I created the British Wildlife print, I wanted to bring a little of that memory into the illustration. Drawing on the poem was a lovely way to include something personal in a commissioned piece - a connection to my Grandpa and the stories we loved.

From Page to Space

In more recent years, I’ve moved into interior design and set up my own studio in London. So much of what I enjoyed in illustration carries through into my work today - layering colour, pattern and texture and considering how each element works with the next. To me, art, architecture, interiors and fashion have always been closely connected, so it felt like a natural progression.

I’m particularly drawn to period homes and the details that tell you something about their past. I enjoy mixing old and new, retaining the quirks and original features while making each room comfortable, practical and personal to the people who live in it.