Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Nostalgic, whimsical, full of contrast.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
The good old sketchbook, pencil and eraser. Oh, plus some drawing pens. And then there's my trusted iPad, with all my usual drawing apps installed. Last but not least, my laptop to finish everything off.
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Lately, I have been really into drawing with pencil on paper. But I have enjoyed drawing with pen on paper for a long time.
With my current space and time constraints, I find I always use digital tools to colour in and finish my illustrations.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Shaun Tan, Arnold Lobel, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I have always liked Impressionist paintings, so maybe that would be the period I would most likely visit. I am rather curious about what the world they were seeing looked like and I imagine how that would inspire them to create what they made.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
When I was younger, I really enjoyed times I could sit down and read the books I liked over and over and over again. I tend to go back to my favourite books a lot. Some of them were children's picture books. Some of them were manga for younger readers, such as Mouse Soup, Frog and Toad and Doraemon). I guess that made me want to create similar stories when I grew up.
Share a photo of your creative workspace or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
I generally have very limited space, so all my work is concentrated on this desk.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Shaun Tan, Arnold Lobel, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I have always liked Impressionist paintings, so maybe that would be the period I would most likely visit. I am rather curious about what the world they were seeing looked like and I imagine how that would inspire them to create what they made.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
When I was younger, I really enjoyed times I could sit down and read the books I liked over and over and over again. I tend to go back to my favourite books a lot. Some of them were children's picture books. Some of them were manga for younger readers, such as Mouse Soup, Frog and Toad and Doraemon). I guess that made me want to create similar stories when I grew up.
Share a photo of your creative workspace or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
I generally have very limited space, so all my work is concentrated on this desk.
I have various sketchbooks and notebooks for specific purposes or projects, but I also have one or two for random times or whenever I feel like drawing outside of a project. Having them close by on the table just makes it easy for me to grab them whenever I want to work on something.
I also always have my iPad and laptop nearby, as they are essential devices for me to finish my illustrations.
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
I quite enjoy brainstorming and then creating scenes and ideas based on the project I'm working on.
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
I quite enjoy brainstorming and then creating scenes and ideas based on the project I'm working on.
I also like working on the final line art after cleaning up the pencil sketch. I find it relaxing because I'm done thinking about what the drawing should look like and how to make it work; it allows me to just enjoy the process.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
I would encourage illustrators to pursue their own unique style and ideas, and maybe not worry too much about following trends.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
I would encourage illustrators to pursue their own unique style and ideas, and maybe not worry too much about following trends.
Be patient with your illustration journey and don’t be afraid to share your work with others. (I’m still learning to do this.) It may just lead you to another discovery.
Triandhika Anjani (Dhika to those who know her) is a Canberra-based illustrator originally from Indonesia. She has loved illustrated books since childhood and enjoys bringing stories to life through her art. In 2023, she illustrated her first published picture book, What Will You Make Today?, written by Maura Pierlot (Storytorch Press), and created the comic series Kara: Guardian of the Realms (VISI8 Entertainment). Her latest work, Bandit the Bush Turkey, written by Bryan Phillips, was released in November 2025. You can find out more about Dhika and view more of her gorgeous artwork on Instagram or via her website.
Triandhika Anjani (Dhika to those who know her) is a Canberra-based illustrator originally from Indonesia. She has loved illustrated books since childhood and enjoys bringing stories to life through her art. In 2023, she illustrated her first published picture book, What Will You Make Today?, written by Maura Pierlot (Storytorch Press), and created the comic series Kara: Guardian of the Realms (VISI8 Entertainment). Her latest work, Bandit the Bush Turkey, written by Bryan Phillips, was released in November 2025. You can find out more about Dhika and view more of her gorgeous artwork on Instagram or via her website.
