hello
handsome frank
Two years ago, I reached out to share my work with you. You helped me with honest feedback, pointing out the gaps in my portfolio that could be filled to attract more work. I've been on a mission since then to level up my portfolio.
Today, I feel the gaps have been closed. I've created a body of work that feels truer to my voice and, I believe, a great fit for the Handsome Frank family. I'd love to share my updated portfolio with you and created this page to highlight certain subjects we've talked about. In this selection, I’ve focused on the areas you mentioned in our Zoom call before: subjects like lifestyle, editorial, architecture and maps, and travel.
Thank you for taking the time to revisit my portfolio. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my latest work, and maybe explore the possibility of working together.
MAPS
First on the list: maps!
You mentioned there's a lot of work to be found in illustrating maps and buildings. I didn't have a lot of those in my portfolio, so I decided to create a map of Amsterdam. This map features 12 favourite spots of mine in the city (thus also having to illustrate 12 buildings). I hope you like the paper version I've send you as well.
I've also created 4 maps for Basecamp, a tiny house eco-resort with five locations world-wide and growing. These will be used for guests to find their tiny house on the grounds. Here is one example from their location in IJmuiden:
TRAVEl
You mentioned that too many illustrations with the same theme would result in me being asked to work on that theme alone, referring to my work on Japan. That's why I created a 'travel' category, with more diversity. Most of these were also commissioned by Basecamp.
See all of my travel projects here.
food & lifestyle
To fill my portfolio in the lifestyle categorie, I think my favourite project was that for Le Feast. This local brunch festival asked me to create the poster for their 2024 edition, highlighting people from all backgrounds coming together in their homes to cook for one another. It was the ideal brief to capture the essence of people doing what they love.
I'm also eager to work on projects in the food & beverage industry. I personally always enjoy a beautifully illustrated tea package or a wine label. To attract these clients, I designed a label for a cocktail I created with my boyfriend
(an ex-bartender) as a gift for our friend's wedding.
Fun fact: this personal project led to an actual project of illustrating
three wine labels, to be continued in 2025!
To stay within the food theme, here’s a fun coffee-inspired series I created for KoffieTcacao magazine. The budget was tight and the turnaround was quick, so I decided to try out a faster editorial style. This proved to be effective: I’ve received loads of positive feedback on this project, as well as multiple requests to create something similar (more on this later).
More on this project here.
portraits
You also noted that more portraits, like the one I made for Goodnight Stories For Rebel Girls, could help me bring in more work. I did not get lots of requests for portraits (probably due to the gap in my portfolio) so I created two music posters to fill that gap. I've mainly concentrated on the resemblances of musician's faces. I've also send you some samples. I hope you like these bands!
editorial
I've also worked on getting more editorial jobs and put these into two categories: one in a lavish, colourful style, great for in-depth interviews, and one in faster line work for projects with tighter deadlines. Both were met with enthusiasm from various clients. Below are a few examples, please go to the 'editorial' part of my website to see all cases in context.
See all of these projects here.
The faster line work style works great for when clients want a little more personality than icons. I've illustrated the core values of Sully Green (a flower bulb distribution company you've worked with on their logo with Tobias Hall), different types of coffee pouring methods, and details on maps. I think these can work especially well for educational or branding purposes.
I've made loads of other things too, such as book covers, posters, invitations, stickers, tote bags, animation and more. But before you're checking out the rest of my website, I'd love to explain why I'm approaching you with my work:
why do i want an agent?
International audience
Most of my clients are based in the Netherlands. I believe my illustrations have the potential to work for an international audience. I hope that working with an agent will help me get more clients overseas.
Promotion
With the death of social media I'm looking for alternative ways to promote myself. I believe that people are craving genuine connection more than ever before and I've always value making personal connections with my clients. Connecting with an agent can help bring more eyes to my portfolio.
Community
I've been working freelance fulltime since 2019. Despite renting a shared space with other creatives and being co-host of the Illustration Ladies Amsterdam, it's a lonely profession. I'm creating every decision and every quote with no other expertise than my own experiences and gut feeling. It would be wonderful to have someone around who has my business best interest at heart, someone who I can come to for advice if needed.
Variety in clients
My main income comes from five recurring clients: Hortus Botanicus, Farmer Gracy, IOM UN Migration, Basecamp Eco-resorts and Mariniersmuseum. I love working for them and I love them coming back to me every single time. However, I would love to find new clients with new problems to fix.
I've heard you're really nice and lovely to work with
Reason number one! Your artists always speak very highly of their collaboration with you. I always want to work with people who are nice and genuine, and you seem to be both!
We share the same work ethic
I understand from various interviews you did on podcasts that you value communication and a hard working mentality. I do as well! I love the business side of this job and I think our views on the current state of the illustration business overlap a lot.
Your views on AI match mine
I absolutely loved your thoughts on AI. With some agents choosing AI-artists amidst human ones, I think it's more important than ever to show the human touch of an artwork.
Being unique is an illusion, but handmade is still charming.
I love what you do for your artists
I love that you're so active! With the podcast, newsletter, mini documentaries, an active social media account and interviews on sites like Creative Boom, you're always visible in our industry.
The artists on your roster are top of the industry
Naturally, I'd love to be a part of that list :)
why do i want handsome frank?
Business mind
I come from a family of entrepreneurs and I quite enjoy the business and numbers side of the creative hustle. I also love to make genuine connections with my clients.
I animate!
After graduating in illustrating, I did a Masters degree in Animation, to expand my career prospects. I then worked 3 years as a designer/animator at production house Ambassadors in Amsterdam, working on various commercials, before freelancing fulltime.
As an animator, I worked on videoclips by Dua Lipa, commercials for insurance companies and other gems like these. I slowly but surely moved animation to the background to focus more on illustration, and it's now maybe 20% of my work. However, I would love to work on assignments that allow me to both illustrate and animate the entire project!
areas for improvement
Promotion and marketing
One area I’m working on is reaching new clients organically and developing a more consistent marketing strategy. I'm not the best at maintaining a solid presence on social media, so I'm looking for more ways to get my work seen by potential clients.
Higher workload
I often have time left in my calendar, so I'd love to take on more projects!
I'm just one person
In the past I've missed out on a biiiiig job, because I struggled to manage everything on my own. I'd love to have someone by my side with more knowledge in areas like contracts, legal matters, and managing budgets, especially for more complex projects.
my strenghts
what kind of projects would i like to work on in the future?
Food/beverages
I'd love to do a wine/cocktail/beer label, or illustration for packaging for products like tea or biscuits or tinned sardines. Even a cat food brand!
Publishing
I love creating book covers and I always want to do more! I'm working on two at the moment and I very much enjoy those. Illustrating a cocktail- or cookbook would also be a dream come true.
High fashion
Illustrating a Hermès scarf is still on top of my bucket list, but I'd also very much enjoy illustrating a perfume campaign. Working for Lush is also on my list, perhaps not so high fashion, but sustainable and a great mix between beauty and nature.
I also very much enjoy to work on lifestyle and nature-inspired projects.
want to know more?
I have one podcast interview that tells a little bit more about me: Podcast with Almost Perfect
But I can always hop on a videocall too!
And you can reach me at
or
+316 4628 1363
