Meet the illustrator: Phoebe

Meet Phoebe Robinson, a multi-faceted artist hailing from Birmingham, UK. Inspired by music, fashion and cityscapes, Phoebe’s art often features nature-inspired elements and quirky characters interacting with their urban surroundings.

From her home studio, equipped with a mix of digital tools and hands-on materials, Phoebe is continuously exploring new ideas and techniques. Whether she’s painting a mural, animating a scene, or sketching out her next big idea, her creative process revolves around pushing boundaries and infusing fresh, playful energy into every project.

We chatted with Phoebe about her pursuit of creative freedom, how she balances passion with self-care, and her advice for aspiring illustrators.

Who are you and where are you from? 

Hi, I’m Pheeb! I’m an illustrator, animator, and mural artist from Birmingham, UK. 

What themes or subjects do you enjoy illustrating the most? 

I love to illustrate characters in cool, quirky outfits, often with a mix of funky shapes, textures, and vibrant, contrasting colors. For me, it's all about bringing a sense of joy and playfulness to whatever I'm working on.

I’m particularly drawn to themes that allow for a lot of creative freedom, like music and fashion. I like to take photos of cityscapes and add in these big, long-limbed characters in cool, flowy outfits, making it look like they’re casually walking through or even stepping over skyscrapers. I have fun playing with scale and adding nature-inspired elements like flowers popping out of windows or vines wrapping around cranes, which creates a nice contrast with the clean lines of the city.

Ultimately, I love working on projects that allow me to experiment and push boundaries, whether it's a live mural, branding animation, or packaging design. The goal is always to create something that feels fresh, fun, and full of life.

What is your illustration setup? 

My setup is a mix of digital tools and hands-on creativity. I primarily use Procreate and Procreate Dreams on my iPad Pro for sketching, illustrating, and simpler animations or for larger scale projects I use a Huion pen display. For animations and complex designs, I rely on Adobe Illustrator and After Effects.

In my home studio, I’ve gathered a large collection of materials over the years. For when I want to step away from the screen and get hands-on, my go-to is a bold-coloured acrylic and spray paint, and often like to get experimental with creating contrasting textures.

What's your favorite thing about being an illustrator, and what's the most challenging aspect of the profession for you? 

My favorite thing about being an illustrator, especially after freelancing for over four years, is the joy and fulfillment I get from creating. I love the freedom to choose my own hours, work on projects that excite me, and give myself space to step back when needed.

This flexibility also allows me to make time to learn new skills, improve my practice, or focus on business development, which keeps my work dynamic and fresh. However, this freedom can also be challenging.

As someone who genuinely loves what I do, it’s hard to know when to stop. I often find myself struggling to set boundaries and avoid burnout. To manage this, I make sure to take breaks, work in different locations, and give myself time outside to recharge. Balancing passion with self-care is a constant challenge, but it’s essential for staying creative and motivated. 

If you were to illustrate a quirky new character based on your own personality traits, what would they look like? 

If I were to create a character based on myself, they'd probably be tall with some wavy, wobbly limbs, dressed in block-colored clothes from some of my favorite brands, most likely with splashes of paint and a lot of personality. 

What advice do you have for aspiring illustrators? 

My biggest piece of advice for aspiring illustrators is to stay curious and keep experimenting. Don’t be afraid to try new techniques, explore different styles, and step out of your comfort zone. The more you experiment, the more you’ll discover your unique voice and what really excites you.

Also, be patient with yourself. Growth takes time, and every project is a learning experience. It's important to find a balance between honing your craft and taking care of yourself. Burnout is real, especially when you’re passionate about what you do, so remember to take breaks and recharge your creative energy.

Finally, treat your journey as both a creative and a business one. Set aside time to learn about the business side of things—whether it's managing your time, promoting your work, or building relationships. The more you understand the business, the more control you'll have over your career!

Is there a particular place or environment where you feel most inspired to create your illustrations? 

I’m most inspired when I’m in my creative space at home, working at my desk. It’s a space that’s uniquely mine, filled with the colors, textures, and tools that spark my creativity. I love how everything I need is right at hand, making it easy to jump between different types of projects.

When it comes to my creative rhythm, I’m definitely an early bird. I often have bursts of creativity first thing in the morning, especially after a good night’s sleep and a strong cup of coffee. That’s when I feel most refreshed and ready to dive into new ideas, keen to sit in my space and get stuff done.

Go-to music playlist, podcast, show/movie that you listen to/or watch when creating? 

Music is a huge influence on my creativity and mood, so I always have something playing while I work. I’ve got a playlist for just about every vibe I might be feeling, but my go-to is called Top of the Bops'. It’s a mix of everything from funky alt/indie to jazz-influenced hip-hop.

If you had to choose - what is one of your favorite illustrations you’ve created? 

One of my favorite illustrations has to be the work I’ve done for Queens Heath Pride, a Pride event that takes place every year in Kings Heath, Birmingham. It’s such a vibrant and joyful celebration, and I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in so many aspects of it.

I’ve created beer labels, posters, logos, characters, and even tote bag designs, all while collaborating with an amazing team and the local community. The energy, happiness and sense of community that Queens Heath brings is something I absolutely adore, and being able to contribute to that with my art is something I’m really proud of. 

Describe yourself in 3 emojis.