Pilar Garcia de Leaniz — Judge Interview

Our second judge interview with Pilar Garcia de Leaniz comes all the way from Edinburgh, Scotland! The judging panel will evaluate your work for the 2025 Annual, scoring it based on our criteria to determine what makes it into the final publication.

Images obtained from Pilar’s website: https://pilargarciadeleaniz.com/

Pilar is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer specialising in advertising, publishing, and murals. She lectures design and illustration at the Edinburgh College of Art (University of Edinburgh).

Pilar believes in the power of visual storytelling to connect, inspire, and spark dialogue. Her work combines bold composition with thoughtful details, tailored to communicate strong messages across various formats and audiences. Pilar’s favourite subjects to draw are womanhood and mental health; these themes are deeply personal for her, yet universally relevant. Pilar is passionate about exploring the complexities of identity, emotion, and resilience, especially through female perspectives. She aims to create images that not only resonate but also comfort, challenge, and empower.

Pilar primarily works in digital media, which allows her the flexibility to adapt quickly, experiment with vibrant color palettes, and create artwork suitable for both print and screen.

Can you mention a project that you’re particularly proud of?

I am very proud of the work I did with Stripe Communications Creative Agency and Scottish Government for the Census campaign 2022.

I was involved in developing the concept through collaborative brainstorming sessions and went on to create a wide range of illustrations for a giant colouring puzzle that toured across Scotland. It was a fantastic experience that also included two photoshoots, with a Scottish MSP and with Royal Mail.

Census 2022 Campaign · Scottish Government, Via: https://pilargarciadeleaniz.com/

Census 2022 Campaign · Scottish Government, Via: https://pilargarciadeleaniz.com/

Can you mention one of your favourite illustrators? What makes their work stand out to you?

One of my favourite illustrators are Maria Herreros and her husband, Ricardo Cavolo, while Maria Herreros’ illustration style is distinctive, expressive, and emotionally rich, I particularly love the creativity, lines and face expressions. Ricardo is bold, vibrant and playful. He use a consistent colour theme that clearly help to identify his work.

TOP: Maria Herrerros, Via: https://mariaherreros.com/ BOTTOM: Ricardo Cavolo X Zara, Via: https://shop.ricardocavolo.com/pages/zara

If you had to mentor an illustrator who was just starting out, what advice would you give them?

Sketch, sketch, sketch every day. observe and experimentation.

Sketch every single day. Make drawing a daily habit, it keeps your hand loose and your ideas flowing. Stay observant, study people, objects, light, and life around you. Let curiosity guide you. And most importantly, experiment. Don’t be afraid to try new tools, styles, or approaches.

LEFT: Campaign · University of Edinburgh, by Pilar, RIGHT: Mural — Summerhall Edinburgh, by Pilar, via: https://pilargarciadeleaniz.com/

Are there any specific themes or subject matters that you would like to see explored through the illustrations in this year’s Annual?

There are 2 themes that I would like to see explored through the illustrations in this year’s Annual,

First is the celebrating of joy capturing delight, connection, and the everyday experiences, and climate change, approached not only through crisis but also through hope, innovation, and our evolving relationship with the planet.

Are you a Maltese illustrator or a non-Maltese illustrator who is based in Malta? We are documenting the best Maltese illustration year after year! Submit your work for our fifth Illustration Annual here.