The Art of Folio

May 02, 2025

Artist Lela Harris

It’s 1947. Folio has just published its first book: a simple and elegant edition of Tolstoy’s Tales. And there, emblazoned on the dust jacket in capital letters, is the word ‘ILLUSTRATED’.

As every book addict knows, illustration is what makes Folio… Folio. But when the choice of artist can completely change how you feel about an edition – or even about the text itself – how do you know you’ve made the right match?

Illustration © Alexis Deacon, from The Book Thief

‘When selecting an artist to illustrate a book, synergy is essential,’ says Fiction Editor Sophia Schoepfer. ‘The artist’s style should chime with the author’s writing, the novel’s themes and the book’s overall atmosphere. Our hope is that the artwork not only aligns with the story but also enhances it. Folio books present a special opportunity for readers to encounter their favourite stories in an entirely new, beautiful and immersive form. This alchemy works best when we find an artist with an aligned style, as well as a deep passion and energy for the project.’ Considering how crucial it is to select a suitable artist for a Folio book, it is understandable that the process is very collaborative. Sophia says, ‘Every week we meet as a team to share new illustrators whose work we admire. Editors will bring artist proposals to these meetings before proceeding with a commission. We work closely with authors and estates as well, and their approval matters deeply.’

Illustration © Sam Weber, from The Book of the New Sun

Sometimes an artist’s work for a book is so perfect that the two become deeply intertwined. Our illustrators often pour their heart into creating artwork for us, and become totally immersed in every detail. In fact, Publisher Tom Walker says that sometimes the best Folio books come from simply asking a Folio artist which book they would most like to work on.

‘When we asked Sam Weber – who had recently illustrated Dune for us – he came up with Gene Wolfe’s The Book of the New Sun,’ says Tom. ‘At the time I didn’t know anything about this masterpiece of dark science fantasy, but I knew the Folio version of it was going to be incredible, because Sam had been thinking about it all his life. Likewise, John Vernon Lord, who illustrated Ulysses and Finnegans Wake for us, started thinking about how to illustrate James Joyce while he was at university. He got the commission 60 years later!’

Illustration © Evangeline Gallagher, from Tales of Mystery and Imagination

While Folio has always worked with artists at the top of their game – such as Vernon Lord and Weber – finding new talent, and illustrators who work in different styles and mediums, is key. ‘There are so many incredible artists in the world, and each could bring a unique flair to a project, so it is important to continue seeking out new collaborators,’ says Sophia. ‘The Folio catalogue is ever evolving. We continue to expand into new territory, and naturally our pool of artists evolves in tandem. Each new partnership is an opportunity to grow and innovate.’ To make sure they stay in touch with new talent, Folio visits conventions and works closely with artists and with illustration agencies around the world. Artists also send in work directly via the submissions inbox, or enter the Folio Book Illustration Award. ‘The Awards are a brilliant way of finding new artists,’ says Sophia. ‘For the inaugural Award, we asked for an illustration for Edgar Allan Poe’s short story Masque of the Red Death, and Evangeline Gallagher’s was the winning entry. When the team decided to create a limited edition of Poe’s short stories a year later, we commissioned Evangeline for the entire project, and the version they crafted is sublime.’

Lela Harris in her studio

Once the right person is found, they are given a vast amount of creative freedom. ‘At Folio, we believe in being artist-led, which means we allow artists the space to be imaginative and inventive,’ says Sophia. ‘When an artist delivers their design, we work together to realise their vision as best as possible in book form. Translating artwork into a Folio book is an incredibly involved, thoughtful and enjoyable process, featuring swatches aplenty. It is that attention to detail, and the careful marrying of the visual with the tactile, that makes our books unique and covetable.’

Illustrator Lela Harris admits to ‘butterflies’ when she was chosen to illustrate Alice Walker’s The Color Purple: it wasn’t just her first Folio commission but her first professional illustration commission. But Raquel Leis Allion, Folio’s ex-Art Director, who discovered her on Instagram, told her: ‘Just do what you do.’

An illustration from The Color Purple

Lela is entirely self-taught and only learned to draw a few years ago. ‘I have such a mishmash of styles because I’m a newcomer to drawing and painting and I want to try everything,’ she says. ‘I’ve eventually mastered charcoal, which I just love. It’s perfect for portraits and there’s a freedom that comes with being able to rub it out and build up layers. I’m obsessed with the process and draw at any time. I can lose myself for hours.’ She re-read the book, picking out particular scenes that resonated with her, and making notes and gathering inspiration. ‘I already love the 1930s photography of dustbowl America, which feels so familiar to me – there’s something about that era that fascinates me, so I was able to use these images to develop my illustrations.’

Lela with The Color Purpler

But her key creative moments came outside, on the hills. ‘Before committing anything to paper, I thought deeply about the characters during long dog walks – the Lake District, where I live, is a great landscape in which to find inspiration. But if it takes me a long time to mull over the characters, it might take just an hour to draw them.’

In a throwaway world, these perfect marriages of words, pictures and craft represent something deeply meaningful. ‘Illustration is fundamental to Folio – the artistry of our books encapsulates a deep respect for craft and storytelling,’ says Sophia. ‘And each Folio book is also a tribute to a love of literature that is shared by all involved – author, artist, publisher and reader.’

Photography of Lela Harris © Dunja Opalko

How can we help?

Trending

The Art of Folio