iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!! My name is Yusuke and I'm an illustrator from Tokyo, Japan. I love whimsical stories and I'm available for picture books, board books, and covers to illustrate! Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @starlingliterary.bsky.social More at yusukewatanabe.com

The children find a little train of mice running through a watermelon field.

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Reposted by Yusuke Watanabe

Denis Angelov @denisillustrates.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Happy September #KidLitArtPostcard 🍂 My name is Denis and I'm an illustrator from Sofia, Bulgaria. I like bold lineart, limited palettes, painterly textures and wonky shapes. 🌐 denisillustrates.com 📚 represented by Emily Talbot at United Agents (UK and Europe) #kidlitart #illustration

Illustration of a toddler in a crib, sucking on his thumb, looking up and out the window where there are yellow trees and falling leaves

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Reposted by Yusuke Watanabe

Nicola Schofield @nicolaschofield.com · 03/09/2026

September #kidlitartpostcard day! 🍁 I'd love to illustrate some more surreal, funny, sci-fi or folktale type picture books! Portfolio ➡️ NicolaSchofield.com Rep by @sallymkim.bsky.social at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social #kidlitart #illustration #folktale

Kitlitart postcard illustration by Nicola Schofield showing a boy lying on the ground with his eyes closed. A swoosh of stars and a ghostly swan sweep up from him to the top left corner.

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Reposted by Yusuke Watanabe

Mark Hoffmann @studiohoffmann.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Is it hard to control your pets? Imagine doing it in space. 👋 Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! Im proudly, and newly, rep’d by Nicole Tugeau @thet2agency.bsky.social #kidlitpostcard #kidlitartpostcardday #kidlit #kidlitart

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I usually paint with watercolors, but this is one I did digitally! See more: yusukewatanabe.com/album/enviro... #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #海外絵本作家 #海外絵本

An illustration of a town made up of houses built from retired train cars.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

✨Cover reveal!✨ I’m so excited to share the cover of Turtle on the Tarmac, written by @annettepimentel.bsky.social and illustrated by me! Story is inspired by the real-life work of wildlife biologists at John F. Kennedy Airport. It's available for pre-order! www.abramsbooks.com/product/turt...

A turtle on a hill overlooks a runway with an airplane taking off, with the Manhattan skyline in New York City in the background. The cover of the picture book Turtle on the Tarmac.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Made progress on a new illustration. Updated my website. Wrote and published a new Substack post. A pretty productive half-day. Feeling good about the progress!

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m Yusuke, a Japanese illustrator who loves whimsical stories. I'm available for picture books, board books & covers to illustrate! Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @starlingliterary.bsky.social More at yusukewatanabe.com #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #海外絵本作家

A watercolor illustration of a cat and avocado characters in a kitchen.

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Reposted by Yusuke Watanabe

Hey Crystal Smith Illustrates @crystalsmithart.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

It's #kidlitartpostcard day! ⭐️ I'm addicted to nature & neon! Creating wild stories & bright worlds... PBs, covers, MG & more— let's make amazing books! 🎉 www.heycrystalsmith.com Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at @starlingliterary.bsky.social #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist

Underwater scene with jellyfish glowing and seal silhouettes swimming in blue and green water. Above, you can see the bottom of a kayak with paddles.

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Reposted by Yusuke Watanabe

Mark Hoffmann @studiohoffmann.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Do you like sour foods? Sour candy? How much do you love to pucker up? These here piggies love them some limes. 👋 Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m always looking for my next book (be it a picture book, board book, or more) to work on. #kidlitpostcard #kidlitartpostcardday #kidlit #kidlitart

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Reposted by Yusuke Watanabe

Charlene Chua @charlenedraws.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Hello #kidlitartpostcard ! I am Charlene Chua & I illustrate for kids. 🌟 Interested in books + other kids-related projects 🌟 Portfolio - charlenechua.com Rep' by Tracy Marchini Literary #kidlitart #illustration #smaugust #dragon

illustration of a pink dragon sitting on top a pile of gold, smiling at a friendly girl knight who is waving towards it.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Just started my Substack! ✨ I didn't start drawing seriously until I was an adult. So what was I doing before then? I wrote about my winding career path in this post. I'd love for you to check it out! Every Detour Leads Somewhere open.substack.com/pub/artofyus...

open.substack.com

Every Detour Leads Somewhere

Who am I?

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Called a friend to catch up, and he told me he's been using a phone charger with only about a 2-inch cable. This keeps him from using his smartphone in bed, and he's been able to reclaim that time for reading before going to sleep. What a life hack!

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

New Substack post📗⭐️ I often wonder how other authors spend their days. Do you have a set routine, or do you just wing it? I've always been a “wing it” kind of person, but lately I've been wondering if a routine might bring a little more peace of mind.

open.substack.com

Winging It vs. A Routine

Greetings from hot, unbearably humid Tokyo.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Hello #PortfolioDay! I'm Yusuke Watanabe & I illustrate books for kids. I love whimsical stories and mixed media! I'm available for picture books, board books & covers! Thank you! Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @starlingliterary.bsky.social #kidlitart #kidlit

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The proofs are here! 🎉 I can only share a small sneak peek for now, but TURTLE ON THE TARMAC, the picture book I illustrated, is coming out next year! More to come soon! #newpicturebook #picturebookproofs #picturebookart #picturebookillustration #childrenbookillustration #childrenillustrator

A photograph of printed picture book proof pages showing text and layout.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

A little late for Father’s Day, but Happy Father’s Day! I hope everyone has a wonderful day! Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @starlingliterary.bsky.social More at yusukewatanabe.com #fathersday #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #海外絵本作家

A soft watercolor illustration of a daughter sitting on her father’s lap while holding a cat, as the father gently dries her wet hair with a bath towel in a warm and tender family moment.

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Reposted by Yusuke Watanabe

jen rofé @jenrofe.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

AUTHORS! Do not, without the explicit permission of an illustrator, upload the art from your book into any AI system to create content like trailers for your book. I cannot believe this needs to be said AND HERE WE ARE.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

I feel so satisfied and fulfilled. I love creating, reading, and talking about picture books. Being able to share that passion with my friends and my agent means so much to me. I feel grateful to be surrounded by people who love picture books just as much as I do.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Ever since art school, I’ve been thinking about how character design and life drawing somehow became disconnected, even though I feel character design should exist as a natural extension of life drawing. Redesigning older figure drawings I did feels like one step toward reconnecting them.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Some life drawings from today! It’s been a while, but I’m hoping to do this more often this year! #lifedrawing #figuredrawing

A charcoal pencil drawing of a seated woman.

A colored pencil drawing of a woman in a kneeling pose.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

It’s #KidLitArtPostcard day but I want to share this one. The only thing I pushed myself to do in this painting was to take as much time as possible, and it was truly enjoyable. Sometimes we all need to take a break from self-critique. I believe ideas expand and creativity deepens when we slow down

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Crunching through making a book dummy this week, hopefully I’ll have time to hit the gym next week! (and maybe get back to playing hockey… if I can find the motivation)

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

I absolutely love drawing houses, it’s one of my all-time favorites! If you’re planning a picture book project featuring many charming homes, I’d be happy to connect! Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @starlingliterary.bsky.social More at yusukewatanabe.com #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #海外絵本作家

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

It’s simpler and more spacious than usual, but I really like how it turned out. I’ll do more like this! Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @starlingliterary.bsky.social More at yusukewatanabe.com #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #海外絵本作家

A watercolor illustration of a boy riding a bicycle and another boy running with a paper airplane in front of small, cute houses.

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Reposted by Yusuke Watanabe

Andrea Brown Literary Agency @andreabrownlit.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

We're saying goodbye to our Second Chance Inbox and introducing a new query policy: Creators may now query more than one ABLA literary agent as long as you query us one at a time! Check out the SUBMISSIONS tab on our website for more info. We look forward to considering your work!

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES UPDATE:

We are saying goodbye to our Second Chance Inbox and introducing a new query policy:

Creators may now query more than one ABLA literary agent as long as you query us one at a time!

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Sketching on the train is always fun and a great chance to go with the flow! The models stay still, which makes it even better. I never travel without my sketchbook! #cafesketch #cafesketching #sketchbook #watercolors #kidlitart #kidlitartist #sketchbookart #kidslit

An exaggerated, design-pushed quick black-and-white pencil portrait sketch.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Can’t share anything just yet, but all the final artwork for TURTLE ON THE TARMAC (story by @annettepimentel.bsky.social) is done! I’m so excited to see the finished book come out!

Photos inset of white woman and Asian man next to Publisher's Weekly announcement of new book Turtle on the Tarmac, coming Spring 2027

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

I'm busy again this week with the PB project so here's my piece for #kidlitartpostcard day this month!

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Reposted by Yusuke Watanabe

Charlene Chua @charlenedraws.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Hello #kidlitartpostcard ! I am Charlene Chua & I illustrate for kids. 🌟 Available for books + other kids-related projects 🌟 Portfolio - charlenechua.com Rep' by Tracy Marchini Literary #kidlitart #kidlit #illustration

Art of a young warrior girl with one arm touching a blackened land. Magic spread from her arm, making colorful flower grow. Behind her is a large white wolf with red markings. In the far background are black menacing towers spewing smoke into a red sky.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Morning sketch at Priscilla's Coffee while ago. It was really cozy and so much fun to draw. People felt more open and vulnerable there! #cafesketch #cafesketching #sketchbook #watercolors #kidlitart #kidlitartist #sketchbookart #kidslit

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

I'm a bit busy this week with a small gig for TV so here's my piece for #kidlitartpostcard day this month!

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Had an absolute blast illustrating this picture book “A FISH CALLED ANDROMEDA” written by Cynthia C. Huijgens, and here is one of my favorite pages! www.amazon.com/Fish-Called-... #kidlitart #picturebooks #picturebook #illustration #childrensbookillustration #kidlitillustration #海外絵本 #海外絵本作家

An illustration of a young girl playing outside, from the book A Fish Called Andromeda by Cynthia C. Huijgens.

Front cover of the picture book "A fish Called Andromeda"

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m Yusuke, a Japanese illustrator who loves whimsical and fun stories! 2026 is the Year of the Horse, so I painted チャグチャグ馬コ (Chagu Chagu Umakko), a traditional horse festival in Iwate Prefecture, Japan! Portfolio yusukewatanabe.com Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social

An illustration of a souvenir horse figurine of Chagu Chagu Umakko, a traditional festival in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Something from my sketchbook. Last year, I didn’t travel much. It might have been the least I ever have. This year, I’m hoping to spend a little less time at home and more time on the road, traveling around, though it might be easier said than done😅 #sketchbook #sketchbookpage #drawingaday

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Wrapping up my current picture book project, and I’m now available for new picture books, board books, book covers, and other children’s content to illustrate! If you have a project you think would be a great fit, please reach out to my agent, Jemiscoe Chambers-Black @jemiscoe.bsky.social. Thanks!

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

I found my old sketch of a child I drew years ago (left), so I gave her a slightly more grown-up look (right)! Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @starlingliterary.bsky.social #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #海外絵本作家

An illustration of a kid wearing big glasses.

An illustration of a girl wearing big glasses.

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Yusuke Watanabe @artofyusuke.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

From September to December 2017, I lived in Queens, New York. Here’s an illustration inspired by those memories. I’d love to visit again sometime this year! Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @starlingliterary.bsky.social More at yusukewatanabe.com #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #雨だけどサニーサイド

The illustration of apartment in Queens, New York.

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