Discover how illustrator Kyria and Helen worked together to prepare for and make the most of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and how her new illustrations will serve a greater purpose.

Kyria joined the mentorship at a point where she already had solid experience and an established client base. What she was really looking for was access—connection to larger, more widely recognised publishers—and a way to enhance her work so it could confidently sit within that space and attract well known publishers.

A key area we focused on was her use of line. Her illustrations were heavily outlined, which gave them a distinct character, but I felt that reducing the reliance on line would bring a greater sense of sophistication and open up opportunities with the kind of clients she wanted to reach.

This wasn’t an easy shift. Line was central to her process and something she genuinely loved working with, so stepping away from it felt uncomfortable at first which was very understandable to me. What impressed me most was how she handled it: even though she wasn’t sure, she gave it a go. In that moment, I could see how open she was to feedback and how willing she was to experiment and see where things lead. I knew then that publishers would enjoy working with her, as this collaborative mindset is exactly what they look for in an illustrator.

Over time, through experimentation and a few challenges, Kyria began to find a balance. She didn’t abandon line altogether—instead, she refined it.

What impressed me again was that she wasn’t simply doing exactly what I suggested. She took the feedback, adapted it, and then brought back her own interpretation—her own solutions. It was a real moment of seeing her creative independence coming through. I remember thinking, yes, this is exactly the kind of illustrator publishers will love to work with.

Using fewer, more intentional lines allowed her work to feel more confident and advanced, while still retaining a sense of her identity.

It was a process that came with frustration and fear, but she stayed with it, and that persistence led to a stronger, more resolved visual style. This attitude towards her work is a real strength and is quite rare.

Her passion is rooted in children’s classics, so we developed work that aligned with that direction. Then, during her trip to the Bologna Children's Book Fair, something unexpected emerged.

In a conversation with a publisher towards the end of the fair, she began exploring the idea of creating religious-themed content—something she had thought about before, but hadn’t been sure there was space for.

That moment opened up a new direction—one that felt deeply personal and meaningful—and it’s an area we’re now developing through the mentorship sessions. Watch this space for some very special work. 

The lead-up to Bologna was focused and energising. We identified key publishers she could connect with, refined her portfolio curation, and prepared tailored presentation sheets so she could approach meetings with confidence. Her portfolio sheets were beautifully presented, and The Little Prince looked actually alive on the page - he was so proud.

After the fair, we regrouped to turn those conversations into actionable next steps, and it was clear to me that Kyria had really made the most of her time there and did not waste a second. She got around to as many people as she could, had great conversations with publishers and agents, and thoroughly enjoyed herself—it was so good to see.

Here’s what Kyria had to say about the experience:

"I’ve been working with Helen for a few months now, and her mentorship could not have come at a better time. I was preparing for my very first trip to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair as an illustrator, and I needed both clarity and direction.

In the lead-up to the fair, Helen helped me tremendously to elevate my work and shape a portfolio that I felt genuinely proud of and confident presenting. Beyond that, she offered practical, experience-based guidance and shared essential insights that are difficult to find elsewhere.

During the Bologna trip itself, she was an absolute gem. She was always there, responsive, supportive, and incredibly thoughtful in her advice.

Whenever I felt unsure, she helped me refocus, approach things with confidence, and make the most of every opportunity. Her understanding of the market and her ability to guide me toward the right direction made a real difference.

That trip was truly eye-opening for me, and I can say with certainty that a large part of that experience was shaped by Helen’s precious guidance and her ability to make you feel confident and proud of your work.

I’m really looking forward to continuing this mentorship. I cannot recommend it enough. This kind of one-to-one support goes far beyond generic online training or simple portfolio reviews.

Having a dedicated mentor made all the difference for me and was exactly what I needed at this stage in my journey". KYRIA MCKIE

Kyria is seeking opportunities with publishers specialising in children’s classics and religious content, as these are the two subject areas she is super passionate about (and very, very good at). To work with Kyria please feel free to reach out @by_kyria_illustration To see Kyria full portfolio visit https://www.bykyriaillustration.co.uk