Howl's Moving Castle Limited Edition | Over two-thirds sold

In the Studio: Marie-Alice Harel

March 23, 2026

Winning Folio’s Book Illustration Award in 2019 – for her version of Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones – was just the springboard French author and illustrator Marie-Alice Harel needed. And she hasn’t looked back since, subsequently collaborating on a number of projects, including Castle in the Air and The House of Many Ways by Jones and The Neverending Story by Michael Ende.

Now, she returns to the beloved story where it all began with Folio’s Limited Edition of Howl's Moving Castle (publishing March 2026), created to mark the book's 40th anniversary with spectacular design, new artwork and the first-ever map of Ingary.

But as a true ‘artist in residence’ – the desk in her Edinburgh flat doubles as her dining table – Harel knows all too well the importance of a work–life balance. ‘I have to make an effort to have a life outside – I’m trying to be more human, less work-machine!’ she says.

‘For me, it’s important to stay in control, and I like quiet generally. I don’t get interrupted, but it can be lonely. I didn’t really used to set boundaries so, surprise surprise, it led to burnout. I have new rules now: no work at weekends, or only on my own projects; no work after 6pm; and try and go outside during the day and see the sun.’

The wall by her desk features illustrations she finds inspiring, including For a New Life by Wlastimil Hofman and a drawing from The Aristocats. ‘I love Milt Kahl’s line work,’ she says. ‘What’s on my wall are drawings I love or want to emulate.’

Harel works in watercolours, but her process starts with a hardback notebook and a mechanical pencil. ‘This book is my road map,’ she says. In it, Harel records all the practical details: deadlines, number of illustrations, size and dimensions. Then she writes notes from a careful reading of the text she’ll illustrate. ‘Staying loyal to the text is extremely important. So, I’ll note when characters appear, and their descriptions at different points. And I notice the moments I’d like to illustrate – where I think, “I’d like to see that” – and put them in a timeline.’

She sketches in the book, then scans the drawings into her computer, where she adds colour digitally, then sends them to her Folio art director to approve. ‘Folio gives a lot of licence to their artists, and it’s very nice to have that sense of freedom.’ Then, she uses a lightbox to trace the drawing onto watercolour paper, which she paints with watercolours.

‘My style is really about what suits the text and story,’ she says. ‘What am I excited about? What do I think the story needs visually? Sometimes I just want to try something new – I try to grow a little with every project. But style comes out of you, and everything you’ve seen and loved, it can only be yours.’

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In the Studio: Marie-Alice Harel

Step into Harel's illustrated world

Discover the books filled with enchanting artwork by Marie-Alice Harel – where every brushstroke invites you deeper into beloved stories.