From scribbles in the sketchbook to a finished illustration

I enjoy illustrating when there is time—sitting down with an idea, trying out a few lines, and seeing what emerges. Sometimes a character takes shape quite quickly; at other times, it takes several attempts before the expression feels just right.

My name is Anna Maria, and I am the person behind Svea Designs. Here, I want to share a more personal side of my work: the joy of drawing and the journey from an initial sketch to a finished illustration.

The person behind Svea Designs

I live in a yellow wooden house in Småland, near Växjö, with my family, my dog, and my grey cat with white paws. Through Svea Designs, I work with areas including graphic design, web design, and content for social media.

I enjoy working with both form and function. Colors, images, and typography need to work together and help tell a story. At the same time, I want there to be personality in what I create.

My own illustrations give me the space to explore ideas a bit more freely. In them, animals, imaginative characters, and small details get to take center stage. On the blog, I therefore want to showcase more of that side of myself as well.

Animals, nature, and a bit of imagination

Hares, foxes, and cats are among my subjects, but so are characters with more attitude and imagination. I love how much an expression can transform an image. A sideways glance, large ears, or a slight tilt of the head can give a character a personality all its own.

The natural surroundings here in Småland also offer plenty to look at. The forests, the lakes, and the colors that shift with the seasons harmonize beautifully with the world I wish to explore in my images.

It doesn’t have to be an exact representation. A leaf can take on a different shape, and an animal can have a more playful expression. There is room to experiment.

To begin with, it’s allowed to be a bit messy.

A finished illustration rarely shows all the attempts that came before it. That is why I also want to give space to the sketches here.

In a sketch, you can change your mind. Proportions can be adjusted, details can disappear, and a figure can take on an entirely new expression. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect from the start.

If you want to start drawing yourself, my tip is to make a few small sketches of the same subject. Try out different forms without spending too much time on the details. This makes it easier to figure out which version you want to continue with.

The colors help the subject move forward

When color is introduced, the feeling changes. The same figure can be perceived as soft and calm with one color palette, or lively and playful with another.

That is why it can be fun to try out a few color combinations before making a final decision. Not every detail needs to stand out to the same degree; one element might catch the eye first, while the rest helps the composition hold together.

Sometimes, fewer details are needed than you might think. Taking a break and then looking at the image again can make it easier to see what actually adds value.

More illustration and more of me

Here on the Svea Design blog, I want to share both completed projects and things that are still taking shape—sketches, color choices, and little ideas that might eventually grow into something bigger.

For me, illustration is an opportunity to create with curiosity and let my own personal expression show through. I want to give that more space here.