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WHICH PROCESS + THOUGHT IS BEHIND ILLUSTRATIONARY?

My work is a celebration and exploration of Biophilia - our inherent, biological need to connect with the living world. Through a handmade-focused process, I explore the fascinating tension between structured design and the organic fluidity of nature.

Wonder what to expect once you commission me?

The Process

 

Firstly, my creative work process always starts out with extensive research on the particular subject matter of interest and/or an intensive, clear briefing session with the commissioning party to fully understand, discuss and agree on:

  • what the final illustration should cover thematically,

  • which form or structure would ideally convey the topic and

  • what emotion or message it shall evoke or carry as well as

  • which timeline and other project parameters apply. 

The second step is the creation of a concept and sketch, for more complex projects even up to three, of which I or the commissioning party get(s) to choose the preferred version for subsequent finalization. - In case of a commission, a limited number of iterations is possible during this stage before I start working on the final illustration. This means I'll need your input here again.

 

The third phase entails detailed drawing to create the final illustration. Once the subject matter is meticulously composed and drawn out, I initiate the inking or coloring process by using the respective (mixed) media and tools to finalize the artwork, depending on the intended - or requested -  illustration form. 

Fourth, in case of projects involving custom-made surface design, I use digital tools to create my pattern-based collections and workable digital files for the intended purpose in the respective industries and/or markets. 

That's it, in a nutshell...
If this sparks any project ideas on your side...

let me know! :) 

+ If you do want to know more about my creative process, ongoing projects as well as other things happening behind the scenes, follow my (b)log.

Profile picture of me with signature azulejo pattern in black and white as background

I'll get back to you swiftly!

BIOPHILIC INFLUENCES

Raven_illustration_close-up (excerpt)_By K.Wilfong
BiomorphicPattern_Design by K.Wilfong_manta rays (Maori-style)
BiomorphicPattern_Design by K.Wilfong_Art Nouveau_Spring Blossoms

The Thought
behind my Process + Style

 

- The Handmade Element: I like to focus on manual techniques since it provides a “non-rhythmic sensory stimulus”. Research suggests that seeing the slight variations of a hand-drawn line is more calming than the perfect repetition of a machine-made one.


Structured Harmony: I am a huge fan of Portugal’s Azulejos (Portuguese tile designs) as well as the Art Deco art genre (amongst others). Combining these areas of interest in my designs facilitates the biophilic pattern of “Complexity & Order” - where high sensory information is organized into a coherent structure, which our brains find deeply satisfying rather than overwhelming.

 

- Evolutionary Comfort: The curved, “biomorphic” contours in some of my pattern designs signal safety and vitality to our brain, contrasted with the sharp, artificial angles often found in modern technology.

Kat's MIXED MEDIA BAR

graphite+coloring pencils_photo by K.Wilfong

Graphite + Coloring pencils

ink-fineliners-gel pens_photo by K.Wilfong

Archival ink, Fineliners + Gel pens

watercolors (all)+gouache_photo by K.Wilfong

Watercolor + Gouache

alcohol + water-based markers_all_photo by K.Wilfong

Markers (alcohol, water-based)

acrylics_all_photo by K.Wilfong

Acrylics

(paint, markers)

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INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?
CLICK HERE:

Social Media + Associations

  • Illustrationary.art_kw
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • IO-Logo_screenshot_3 (big)_noBG
  • logo_AOI_edited_edited

Or send a message...

CONTACT ME

Privacy & Data Use Disclaimer: by contacting me through this form, your consent to the use of your personal contact information for communication purposes is automatically provided. The processing of your data for contacting you back will be for a legitimate purpose, such as to fulfill your request, and in line with data protection guidelines like GDPR. This consent can be revoked at any given time.

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©2026 Illustrationary®.art. All rights reserved. "Illustrationary", the brand and company logo are trademarks officially registered by Kathrin Wilfong. - Website powered and secured by Wix

All images displayed on this website are subject to copyright. They may not be copied, published, or used in any other way for commercial, private, or other purposes without the consent of their originator/ creator Kathrin Wilfong. If you wish to use any of the works, please contact the originator. - Any use of the content posted on this website for text and data mining purposes, in particular to enable use in works created by artificial intelligence (AI), is expressly prohibited. - My illustrations are exclusively handmade by me and never created with AI.

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