Hello, I'm Nadia.
I'm a Manchester-based illustrator of Spanish and Libyan heritage, painting quiet, dreamlike worlds in acrylic gouache and coloured pencil.
I work mainly in acrylic gouache, painting quiet, dreamlike worlds where the landscape itself is alive: mountains that sleep, clouds with faces, and tiny figures wandering through vast, gentle forests. Much of it grows out of my love of the natural world, and I think of each piece as a small window into a wider, unexplored world.
I started out working digitally before falling in love with traditional paint, and these days almost everything I make is painted by hand. I love the texture, the happy accidents, and the way gouache makes every piece feel a little handmade and a little imperfect.
Alongside my own work, I illustrate for commissions and brand collaborations, and share my process with a lovely community on Instagram, YouTube and my Patreon.
For commissions, publishing and collaborations, get in touch at nadia@kawafi.uk - I'd love to connect!