We are thrilled to feature the incredible work of UK-based illustrator Lucy Truman. With over two decades of experience, Lucy has lent her signature style to global powerhouse brands across publishing, advertising, and hospitality—including Ralph Lauren, LVMH, Estée Lauder, Penguin Random House, and Vanity Fair.
Central to Lucy’s commercial success is her deeply personal practice of visual note-taking. By traveling with a sketchbook in hand, she captures the distinct soul of a destination on-location, channeling those raw atmospheres directly into her editorial, publishing, and hospitality-focused illustration projects.
Recently, Lucy’s passion for documenting travel brought her to the historic waterways of Venice, Italy.
Capturing the Atmosphere and Light of Venezia
Working initially on-location, Lucy focused heavily on Venice’s soft architectural tones, shifting light, and the unique rhythm of the canals. Rather than just recreating famous landmarks from a detached perspective, her goal was to tap into the actual feeling of being there—capturing the intangible essence that defines a traveler’s experience.
By immersing herself directly in the environment, she was able to look past the typical tourist rush and uncover the city’s hidden cadence.
“My aim was to capture not only the architecture but the quieter mood of the city, moments of stillness between the hustle and bustle. This set of drawings explores calm compositions, reflected light, and the rhythm of the canals, balancing loose observational drawing with a limited colour palette.”
This dedication to authentic visual note-taking allows Lucy to construct illustrations that do more than decorate a page; they tell a story. By balancing spontaneous, loose lines with a carefully curated palette, she translates the sensory details of Venice—the gentle slap of canal water, the warm glow of historic brick, and the peaceful midday lulls—into commercially compelling imagery perfectly suited for premium editorial, publishing, and hospitality projects.
From the Sketchbook to Final Art
Lucy’s Venice collection beautifully balances loose observational drawing with a carefully curated color palette reminiscent of the city’s historic streets. Key moments from her visual journal include:
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The Rhythm of the Waterways: Classic scenes of typical Venetian canals, capturing travelers taking in the sights from a gondola as a gondolier steers from the rear.
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Alfresco Evenings: Lively yet peaceful scenes of people dining on restaurant balconies overlooking the water.
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Iconic Views: On-the-spot sketchbook pages capturing the grand architecture of the Hotel Danieli on the Main Canal.
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The Perfect People-Watching Spot: A particular favorite stop was the historic Caffè Florian at Piazza San Marco—offering endless visual stimuli, great sketching opportunities, and, of course, excellent gelato.
By building these rich, atmospheric details into her portfolio, Lucy continues to master the art of visual storytelling and a true sense of place.
About the Artist: Lucy Truman
Lucy Truman is an acclaimed international illustrator specializing in fashion, lifestyle, portraiture, and commercial publishing. Over a celebrated two-decade career, she has lent her sophisticated, atmospheric style to global luxury and media brands like Ralph Lauren, LVMH, Vanity Fair, and American Girl, while also becoming a fixture in the children’s market as a New York Times bestselling illustrator for the hit Unicorn Academy series (Nosy Crow/Penguin). Based in the UK, Lucy’s distinct ability to capture a true “sense of place” through on-location sketching and elegant observational drawing has earned her numerous industry accolades, including multiple selections by American Illustration, the International Motion Art Awards, and the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles for her animated work.
