I write stories and make clear illustrations that connect with the audience.

working together

I’m like a funnel.

Tell me a long and complex story, and my mind sums it up in a few sentences and images. I extract the essence and make it understandable for others.

I do this in an accessible way: through my style of drawing and my use of words. ‘Lowering thresholds’, I call it. Preferably with a touch of humour!

What I do | Testimonials | How I work

Who I enjoy working with

I collaborate with people and organisations from different sectors, from book publishers to healthcare organisations, for both children and adults. What is important is that I feel a connection with what you want to convey.

I am very interested in psychology and why people do the things they do. A project with such themes is right up my street!

I am a visual problem solver. I do my best work when I am given the space to find my own solutions within an assignment, and translate that into images (and text).
It does not suit me well when I am told exactly what to draw. I like doing research and finding a visual image gets me excited.

What I create and do

book cover designs
Illustrations for (children’s) books
illustrations for magazines and newspapers
comics & cartoons
fine art/paintings
speaking & teaching

Experienced

I have over 20 years of experience as a freelancer, starting as a portrait artist and web designer. The last 13 years I’ve been working as an illustrator. Before that I worked as an art director, graphic designer and photographer for advertising and marketing agencies.

Professional

I always keep to deadlines. I communicate clearly about what I’m going to do and when the work is done. My creative expertise is broad: this way you can be sure that everything, from sketch to delivery, is done in a professional manner.

Personal

If we are going to work together more often or on a larger project, I like to get to know you and/or the organization better. We can schedule a phone call to brainstorm about the assignment, so that I understand what you have in mind.

Testimonials

“It was pleasure to work with Marloes. She not only delivered on the brief, but expanded it, made it her own and made the final piece better because of it. I’d be thrilled to work with her again and I recommend her to anyone looking for great work and collaboration.”

Mat Bisher (McCann)

“It is super nice and enjoyable to work with Marloes. She communicates clearly and calmly, thinks with you and you know exactly what to expect. The way Marloes looks at life is very inspiring. We are happy with her as a person and as an illustrator, we enjoy having contact with her and hope to work with her often in the future.”

Veerle (publisher at Davidsfonds/Standaard Uitgeverij)

“Marloes has quite a few different illustration styles so her illustrations always surprise. And she can write well! That combination, besides being kind and keeping her appointments, makes it very pleasant working with her.”

Caroline (Flow Magazine)

“We were thrilled to invite Marloes as a special guest to our live Q&A call for Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag. She was brilliant! Marloes inspired lots of great questions from our students and answered them all brilliantly. We’d love to have her back again!”

Katie, Tania and Helen (The Good Ship Illustration)

TOPICS CLOSE TO MY HEART

Psychology, philosophy, HSP/high sensitivity, dealing with emotions, love for books, nature, hiking, developing self-confidence, conscious childlessness/being childfree, relationships, self-care and well-being, creativity, art and culture, solo travelling, the UK and more.

How does it work?

step 01

Send me a mail

I’d love to hear how I can help you so get in touch with me. If you already have a briefing, that helps but I would in any case like to hear what kind of work I can make for you, what the work will be used for and the deadline. The more details, the better.

step 02

Quotation

When I have enough information about the assignment, I will write a quotation/proposal. I will send it to you by email and you can sign it digitally when you’re ready.

step 03

Brainstorming and sketches

Based on the briefing I will research the subject, brainstorm and then create sketches. From that process I select a few sketches that I send to you by email. Then you can send me feedback on the sketches, after which I adjust the sketches.

step 04

Finalising

If you’re happy with the sketches I’ll work them out into the final work. Depending on what you’re going to use it for, I’ll make sure it’s delivered to you in the right way. For example, if it’s an illustration for a magazine, I will ensure that the files are ready for print.

FAQ

How much does an illustration cost?

Every job is tailor-made. It depends on what you would like, the amount of work, what you are going to use the work for, licenses, any costs of printing, etc. My prices start at €350 excl. VAT per project (limited license). Illustrations/designs for a book cover start at €850 excl. VAT. If you’re thinking of working with me, feel free to get a quote.

When can you start?

It depends how big your project is and what my planning looks like. Send me a message/email to check if I’m available!

Do I work with you or do you have a team?

You work directly with me. I’m self-employed, so I have people on my payroll. I have someone to help with technical bits and mail, but that mainly involves social media and my shop.
I know plenty of other freelancers in case a task is not up my street (like web design and photography), so I can still offer a broad spectrum.

Do we deal with all contact through email?

Not everything, but a lot. Phone calls, video calls and appointments are also possible.
I do a lot via e-mail so that all specifications can be found easily, and no important things are left out. For larger projects, it is nice to call or speak to each other via Zoom to brainstorm together, for example. And sometimes it is convenient for me to come to you or for you to come to me, e.g. for me to look at something to draw in the assignment. This will be especially for long-term projects.
I don’t discuss anything business-like via Whatsapp, SMS or social media DMs. Important information quickly gets lost in all kinds of inboxes. So I do not respond to these messages so that I can deliver better work.

Can we call over the phone?

If we’re working on a project together, of course! We’ll pick a day and time, and I’ll make sure I have all the time for you then. Because I need concentration to do my work well, I (usually) do not answer my phone when I am working/illustrating.

Do you create wedding invitations, birth announcements or family portraits?

Unfortunately, I don’t.

Do I own the work you create?

No, the copyright remains with me. Sometimes a client wants to buy off the work. That is possible, and I will prepare a lump sum payment for that. In my experience, buying out of copyright is not necessary in many cases, and an exclusive, unlimited license is sufficient.

What is a license?

“License” is another word for right of use. With a license, the client receives permission from the maker to use a design. As an illustrator, I grant a basic license within projects so that the client can use the illustration for an outlet, such as a poster.

Can you arrange the printwork for me?

I can. I have a network of printshops within the Netherlands that I work with, depending on your budget. I will include the time I spend on contact with the printer and handling in the quote, so I would like to hear in advance whether you wish this.

Can I use your expertise in an advisory role?

I mainly focus on image making when I work on commission. Advice or help in the field of marketing, text writing, social media, photography, etc. is therefore not included as standard.

Can I edit and modify your illustrations?

I am happy to adjust the illustrations where necessary, in accordance with my hourly rate. But you are not allowed to do that yourself, because of copyrights.

Can I also post the work on social media?

It depends on the project and what we’ve agreed upon. Photos of the final product are of course always allowed. Do you want to place the created illustrations on social media independently, but we have not agreed a license for this? Please contact me first. Placement on social media counts as an extra publication (i.e. extra license).

Do you also provide product photography and texts for social media or website?

I do not offer this, but I can introduce you to people who can.

Do you want to promote the work/product and tag my company on your Instagram?

Advertising on my channels is not included in the price by default. If I find it appropriate to post the work, I am happy to do so, but under my own conditions.

I have a question not listed here.

Feel free to drop me an email! I also have a much more extensive FAQ, if you want to know more.

Clients

Wieden + Kennedy, Flow Magazine, Ohh Deer, CNBC, 3D Total, Leopold Uitgevers, Süddeutsche Zeitung, BNO, Teylers Museum, Island Press, Lannoo, NTR/NPO/3FM, NRC, Tina, Drents Museum, TEDx, Lev. Publisher, Flair, Ravensburger, Bibliotheek Rotterdam, Viking Direct, Luitingh-Sijthoff, American Greetings, Uitgeverij Loopvis, Uitgeverij Rubinstein, Uitgeverij Snor, Usborne Publishers, Provincie Drenthe, Memisa, Blossom Books, Van Halewyck Uitgeverij, Gallery Nucleus, Workman Publishers New York, Zwijssen, Lev., Hautekiet Uitgevers, A.W. Bruna Uitgevers.