Contact me at: criss.radu@gmail.com
Freelance illustrator based in Bucharest. I live with (my) cats and a lot of books.
I trained in painting and visual arts before finding my way to illustration over the years. In 2023 I completed the Ars in Fabula children’s illustration MA. I’ve illustrated over 20 picture books, some awarded nationally and internationally, along with book covers and decorative work — pattern and ornament have always been part of how I see.
I work in physical media: gouache, coloured pencils, linocut. I experiment until I find what a story needs. Photoshop assembles the final piece.
I also practice chadō — the presence it asks for is the same one drawing asks for.
Fluent in French. Open to new projects.
Awards
- Ma-G Museum of Avangarde‘s annual illustration award
- Bologna Children’s Book Fair exhibition
- Among finalists, 2024
- World Illustration Awards
- Longlisted 2021, Children’s Publishing category
- Shortlisted 2017, Children’s Publishing category
- Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award nomination, 2019
- White Raven Books Selection
- 2017 – Why do Witches fly on brooms? by Adina Rosetti, Curtea Veche Publishing House
- 2016 – Wordless Ela by Victoria Pătrașcu, Cartea Copiilor Publishing House
- 2015 – Miss Day-After-Tomorrow and the Game of Time by Adina Rosetti, Curtea Veche
- The Most Beautiful Romanian Children’s Book of the Year
- 2016 – Why do Witches fly on Brooms by Adina Rosetti, Curtea Veche Publishing House
- 2014 – Miss Day-After-Tomorrow and the Game of Time by Adina Rosetti, Curtea Veche Publishing House
- 2013 – Journey through Herbs and Light by Iulia Iordan, Cartea Copiilor
- The Best Romanian Children’s Book of the Year (Ready to Print Gala)
- 2015 – Miss Day-After-Tomorrow and the Game of Time by Adina Rosetti, Curtea Veche
- 2015 – Miss Day-After-Tomorrow and the Game of Time by Adina Rosetti, Curtea Veche
Book titles translations entirely mine, the books are published in Romanian.