Hi there.
I am so happy you’re reading this. This is my first time writing a blogpost, and I am a bit nervous to be honest.
I thought I would tell you a bit more about myself and how I became an illustrator and artist.

Me enjoying a cup of ceremonial cacao in the forest next to our home

I live in a village called Hald Ege, located outside of Viborg, which is in the middle of Denmark. We don’t have any coasts nearby, but we have a beautiful lake and the most amazing nature just around the corner.

I moved here recently with my boyfriend, bunny and my sister. Quite a bundle!
It’s so great to have some of my favourite people (and animals) close to me every day.

Since I was a kid I have always loved to draw, write and read.
I loved fantasy stories, and was totally into the Alanna series, Elfquest, Lord of the Rings and of course Harry Potter. I spent so much time just reading and drawing, making my own universes.

At the end of my teen years I suddenly started doubting myself - did I actually want to be an artist? Wasn’t it cooler to move to a bigger city like Copenhagen and get a university degree?
I decided to wait with making a decision, and worked for half a year at a cafe, to save up for a trip to India. After I came back from India I had made up my mind - I was going to pursue an artistic career, and I wanted to draw!

I applied for The Drawing Academy in Viborg, Denmark.
It’s a half year course in classical drawing, where they teach figure studies of the body, portraits, life drawing and croquis. I loved the course, the curriculum, the teachers and my classmates.

After the half year at The Drawing Academy was over, I decided I wanted to become an illustrator.
Many of my friends from the course were preparing their portfolios for The Animation Workshop (the animation school located right next to The Drawing Academy), but I felt like animation was not for me.
I researched illustration degrees throughout Europe, and even went to visit a university in Hamburg. Nothing quite resonated.

So I actually decided to work on a portfolio for The Animation Workshop, not expecting to get in, but more to have something to do. At the same time I started to work again at a cafe, and saved up to go to Nepal this time.

Me living my best life in Lisbon, Portugal

I went to Nepal, came back after some months away, and finished up my portfolio. And low and behold, if I didn’t get asked to go to the admission test and interview, and ended up getting into the school! I gladly accepted and have never regretted it once.

Because even though it was an animation school and I wanted to be more of a traditional illustrator and artist, I learned so much, which helped me to become an even better illustrator and artist, while at the same time learning the craft of animating.

During my last year at the school, I went to Lisbon for an internship to work on an animated short film.
When I came back to Denmark I graduated and started to work for animation studios as an animator, but I wanted to design, work with colours and shapes! I didn’t get to do much of that as an animator, which is more about making the characters move and act.

I then got a job offer some months after graduating, as an in-house illustrator for a company. So I moved to Copenhagen and lived there a little more than a year. I have since worked for the company both in-house and freelance, and it has really helped me sharpen my skills as an illustrator.

Amongst other things I have been to Portugal again to work on my own project at an artist residency.
I have also illustrated a children’s book for a big Danish publishing house, and have worked in-house at LEGO.

I looove being my own boss, and even though there are some challenges, like “when will I get a new gig”, “how should I plan my time”, “ what to charge” etc. there are so many things I can work on and the freedom it gives me is really great.

I have so many plans for future projects, like writing books, creating a webshop, making an exhibition with my things, doing workshops, travelling - but I am trying to take it one step at a time.

Thank you so much for reading along, I hope it was fun.

Best

Anne

BLOG

find me on instagram