Peilin Li: Finding Personal Style Through Natural Creation
One of the biggest hurdles for illustrators is developing a personal style of their own, and the pressure to nail it—from teachers, clients, and even the artists themselves—can feel overwhelming. But sometimes, the best way to find that style is to step back, let the pressure fade, and just create in whatever way feels most natural. That’s exactly what Peilin Li did, and it’s led to major awards and satisfying client partnerships.
“I was really eager—maybe too eager—to figure it out,” Peilin says. “I played around with countless techniques, hoping to find a quick answer, but I finally realized style isn’t something you can rush; it grows organically through steady practice and slow accumulation. Focus on your ideas, your ability to tell a story, and expressing yourself in the way that feels most true to you. Over time, your style will make itself known. And don’t write off your weaknesses—they might be the very things that make your work one-of-a-kind.”
For instance, Peilin used to struggle with realistic figure drawing. Instead of forcing herself to master something that didn’t click, though, she shifted to a geometric approach for rendering the human body. By using simple shapes as the foundation for more complex forms, her style took on a folksy, approachable vibe. The small, heartfelt details she adds to her illustrations strike a chord with viewers, pulling them into the emotion and story behind each piece.
Chastity and Lust, personal artwork
A major turning point in Peilin’s career came in 2022, when she won the Society of Illustrators’ 64th Annual Competition. “Back then, I didn’t believe in my work much, and I was shy about sharing it with the public,” she recalls. “I submitted my pieces with a ‘why not give it a shot’ attitude, so winning was a total shock. It gave me the confidence to create more freely and reminded me that my work resonates with people.”
More awards followed, and that recognition got clients’ attention. Peilin has since worked with global brands like Disney, Huawei, and Farfetch. She’s also branching out to include motion design and branding in her work. “I want my illustrations to feel like they’re moving, to be more alive,” she shares. “Learning animation also taught me how to give even static images a sense of motion.”
At the heart of everything Peilin creates is simplicity—a quality that goes back to her childhood and her first creative inspiration: picture books. She’d spend hours not just reading the stories, but getting lost in the backgrounds, the rich details, and the hidden elements in the art that added depth to the narratives. The books she loved most were those about everyday life, the seemingly small things that bring joy and comfort to all of us.
“One that stuck with me is Ernest et Célestine by Gabrielle Vincent,” Peilin says. “It’s the story of an unlikely duo—a big bear and a little mouse—who become each other’s best friends. They live together in a tiny attic, struggling financially, but still finding joy and warmth in the little moments. That perspective inspired me to start capturing life through illustration. Today, I hope my work shines a light on the small, beautiful details we often miss, giving viewers a sense of warmth and maybe even a little comfort.”
Motion design examples
Looking forward, Peilin wants to see her illustrations become part of design systems. She also hopes to create her own picture book. On top of that, she’s experimenting with different digital media, adding new textures and finding ways to weave them into her work.
“I hope my style keeps evolving into something more layered and design-driven,” she says, “blending different media to create unique textures and immersive storytelling experiences.”
