Yusuke Watanabe
@artofyusuke.bsky.social
*Available for work*
Children’s Book Author/Illustrator
TURTLE ON THE TARMAC(Abrams '27)
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_yusuke/
Portfolio: https://yusukewatanabe.com/
Children’s Book Author/Illustrator
TURTLE ON THE TARMAC(Abrams '27)
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_yusuke/
Portfolio: https://yusukewatanabe.com/
I'm a bit late but Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media.
I'm available for picture books, board books & covers!
Thank you!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media.
I'm available for picture books, board books & covers!
Thank you!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 8:29 AM
I'm a bit late but Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media.
I'm available for picture books, board books & covers!
Thank you!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media.
I'm available for picture books, board books & covers!
Thank you!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I usually work on picture book illustrations, but I'm available for book cover projects as well! If you have a project you think would be a great fit, please reach out to my agent Jemiscoe Chambers-Black @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Thank you!
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Thank you!
October 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I usually work on picture book illustrations, but I'm available for book cover projects as well! If you have a project you think would be a great fit, please reach out to my agent Jemiscoe Chambers-Black @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Thank you!
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Thank you!
Hello #PortfolioDay! I'm Yusuke Watanabe & I illustrate books for kids. I'm open for 2026 book projects! Thank you!
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #PB
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #PB
October 15, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Hello #PortfolioDay! I'm Yusuke Watanabe & I illustrate books for kids. I'm open for 2026 book projects! Thank you!
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #PB
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #PB
Had fun painting with oil pastels and gouache over the weekend! Mungyo oil pastels are actually really good!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration #oilpastelsdrawing #mungyooilpastel
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration #oilpastelsdrawing #mungyooilpastel
October 7, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Had fun painting with oil pastels and gouache over the weekend! Mungyo oil pastels are actually really good!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration #oilpastelsdrawing #mungyooilpastel
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration #oilpastelsdrawing #mungyooilpastel
While waiting for feedback on my tight sketch and color sample, I was fighting a bit of imposter syndrome. I tried to distract myself by reading, but the editors and art director gave me such encouraging feedback! Now it’s time to stop reading and dive in to finish the rest of the final artwork!
October 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
While waiting for feedback on my tight sketch and color sample, I was fighting a bit of imposter syndrome. I tried to distract myself by reading, but the editors and art director gave me such encouraging feedback! Now it’s time to stop reading and dive in to finish the rest of the final artwork!
Hi Brian, thank you for the open call, I’d love to be considered for a magical Christmas book!
Here's some examples of my work, and you can view more at yusukewatanabe.com
Thanks again!
Here's some examples of my work, and you can view more at yusukewatanabe.com
Thanks again!
September 18, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Hi Brian, thank you for the open call, I’d love to be considered for a magical Christmas book!
Here's some examples of my work, and you can view more at yusukewatanabe.com
Thanks again!
Here's some examples of my work, and you can view more at yusukewatanabe.com
Thanks again!
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Happy #internationaldogday !!
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
August 27, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Happy #internationaldogday !!
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
✏️ Progress update ✏️
Just sent off the tight sketches of PB to the editor!
Now it’s time for a little breather until the feedback comes in...
But actually, I need to dive right into another project! Juggling different works is challenging, but also one of the fun parts of being creative!
Just sent off the tight sketches of PB to the editor!
Now it’s time for a little breather until the feedback comes in...
But actually, I need to dive right into another project! Juggling different works is challenging, but also one of the fun parts of being creative!
August 22, 2025 at 1:46 PM
✏️ Progress update ✏️
Just sent off the tight sketches of PB to the editor!
Now it’s time for a little breather until the feedback comes in...
But actually, I need to dive right into another project! Juggling different works is challenging, but also one of the fun parts of being creative!
Just sent off the tight sketches of PB to the editor!
Now it’s time for a little breather until the feedback comes in...
But actually, I need to dive right into another project! Juggling different works is challenging, but also one of the fun parts of being creative!
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
August 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I always make a small physical dummy book to check if the flow and beat of illustrations works by flipping through the pages!
July 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I always make a small physical dummy book to check if the flow and beat of illustrations works by flipping through the pages!
Happy #portfolioday ✨
Hi, I'm Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator! I’m available for new picture books, board books, and book covers to illustrate!
My portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Thank you!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
Hi, I'm Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator! I’m available for new picture books, board books, and book covers to illustrate!
My portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Thank you!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
July 8, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Happy #portfolioday ✨
Hi, I'm Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator! I’m available for new picture books, board books, and book covers to illustrate!
My portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Thank you!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
Hi, I'm Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator! I’m available for new picture books, board books, and book covers to illustrate!
My portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Thank you!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
Can’t share anything just yet, but first sketch pass for TURTLE ON THE TARMAC (by @annettepimentel.bsky.social ) is done!
I’m excited to hear what my editor and design team think!
The image is just me working on sketches for a picture book at my desk🖍️
I’m excited to hear what my editor and design team think!
The image is just me working on sketches for a picture book at my desk🖍️
July 8, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Can’t share anything just yet, but first sketch pass for TURTLE ON THE TARMAC (by @annettepimentel.bsky.social ) is done!
I’m excited to hear what my editor and design team think!
The image is just me working on sketches for a picture book at my desk🖍️
I’m excited to hear what my editor and design team think!
The image is just me working on sketches for a picture book at my desk🖍️
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
July 3, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Hello #kidlitartpostcard day! I am Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese illustrator. The rainy season is coming soon in Japan, it's called Tsuyu (梅雨). A perfect inspiration for illustrations!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart
June 5, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Hello #kidlitartpostcard day! I am Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese illustrator. The rainy season is coming soon in Japan, it's called Tsuyu (梅雨). A perfect inspiration for illustrations!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart
Tried to capture the mood of a storm in this piece. The heavy sky, pouring rain, crashing waves. Hope the feeling comes through!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
May 22, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Tried to capture the mood of a storm in this piece. The heavy sky, pouring rain, crashing waves. Hope the feeling comes through!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
I was so inspired by this photo from @debbieohi.com !! Just the idea of making art in a place like that felt so beautiful!! I couldn’t help but try capturing the scene with oil pastels and acrylic gouache!!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
May 21, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I was so inspired by this photo from @debbieohi.com !! Just the idea of making art in a place like that felt so beautiful!! I couldn’t help but try capturing the scene with oil pastels and acrylic gouache!!
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
I’ve always wanted to try oil pastels, and I finally got the chance! It was super intuitive and incredibly fun!! I absolutely loved it! Can’t wait to play with them more!!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
May 19, 2025 at 9:21 AM
I’ve always wanted to try oil pastels, and I finally got the chance! It was super intuitive and incredibly fun!! I absolutely loved it! Can’t wait to play with them more!!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis
今日は
愛犬の日
ということで。
www.instagram.com/art_yusuke/
#愛犬の日 #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
愛犬の日
ということで。
www.instagram.com/art_yusuke/
#愛犬の日 #kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
May 13, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Another illustration of buildings of a town!!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
May 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Another illustration of buildings of a town!!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
May 1, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!
More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
Always love illustrating the buildings of a town and the people living there!
More of my illustrations at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
More of my illustrations at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
April 28, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Always love illustrating the buildings of a town and the people living there!
More of my illustrations at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
More of my illustrations at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration
Having so much fun drawing her!
More of my illustrations at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration #childrensillustration #kidlitartist #watercolorsketch
More of my illustrations at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration #childrensillustration #kidlitartist #watercolorsketch
April 24, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Having so much fun drawing her!
More of my illustrations at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration #childrensillustration #kidlitartist #watercolorsketch
More of my illustrations at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit #kidlitartis #childrensbookillustration #childrensillustration #kidlitartist #watercolorsketch
When a new project kicks off, I love to just sketch freely, playing with ideas without any judgment. It’s one of my favorite stages! Here's one I did for a previous project.
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit
April 23, 2025 at 9:33 AM
When a new project kicks off, I love to just sketch freely, playing with ideas without any judgment. It’s one of my favorite stages! Here's one I did for a previous project.
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #kidlit
Watercolor is one of my favorite media, and here is the low-res version of a spread illustration I did with it!
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #childrensillustration #kidlitartist #watercolorsketch
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #childrensillustration #kidlitartist #watercolorsketch
April 17, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Watercolor is one of my favorite media, and here is the low-res version of a spread illustration I did with it!
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #childrensillustration #kidlitartist #watercolorsketch
Portfolio: yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
#kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #childrensillustration #kidlitartist #watercolorsketch