ABOUT
Rachel Tappin Creative

"Texture is at the heart of my work".

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I'm based in beautiful North Norfolk, where much of the landscape and wildlife influences my creativity. Alongside my illustration practice, I run two Etsy stores: Rachel Tappin Handmade, where I share my textile-based work, and Sugar Mice Designs, which focuses on playful, characterful illustrations. I’m also open to commercial projects and collaborations that allow me to bring my skills into new contexts.

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My work is strongly inspired by classic illustrators such as John Tenniel, whose intricate linework has always fascinated me, and E. H. Shepard, whose minimal lines and soft watercolour washes capture so much character with such subtlety. These influences, combined with my love of texture, shape the way I approach my own illustration.

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Texture plays a vital role in my practice. I love to experiment with a variety of techniques, including gel plate printing, which forms the foundation of my greeting card collection published with Green Pebble. This process allows me to create richly layered surfaces that I can then build upon with drawing or painting.

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Whether I’m working with textiles, printmaking, or illustration, I’m continually exploring how different materials and approaches can be used to tell stories, evoke atmosphere, and create expressive, tactile imagery.