Chrissy Lau

All

Animals

Black & White

Editorial

Graphic

Line

Vector

Colorful artwork of eight horses with vibrant patterns by Chrissy Lau

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Portrait of a woman with long wavy black hair by Chrissy Lau

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Glass jar with gold line art illustrations of people and animals by Chrissy Lau

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Back cover of cozy bookshop coloring book with flowers and books illustration

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Cozy bookshop exterior with books, bicycle, flowers, and a cat sitting

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The Queen has given a nod to her designs

Lots of lines and flourishes that make a great whole.

Based in Sydney, Australia, Chrissy Lau’s impressive pen & ink and digital drawing skills have enabled her to develop a bold-yet-intricate style that’s perfect for fashion and beauty, lifestyle and branding projects. A professional illustrator since 2002, Chrissy’s award-winning work has featured everywhere from coins by the Royal Australian Mint to leading publications and campaigns by global brands. Born to Chinese parents in Yorkshire, Chrissy grew up in a family that runs Chinese takeaways. She’s highly skilled with a wok and, if you’ve ever seen a cookery program where the wok is alight and the chef is flipping food up in the air – well, she can do that. She also has a degree in law but her passion has always been drawing and she’s inspired by her Chinese heritage, the alluring pattern work of Yayoi Kusama and Finnish illustrator Laura Laine.

Approach

Chrissy’s compositions develop organically but she usually starts with a focal point, adding the line work to build up the image and its textures. Flourishes of colour are added in Photoshop.

Key Software

Photoshop

Style

Flowing hair, detailed patterns and intricate line work are highlighted with dashes of colour – sometimes subtle, sometimes bold – and quirky, surreal twists. Metallic flashes occasionally give the work something extra.

Awards

2011 – IAB Search Marketing Awards – Marketing Campaign of the Year 2013 – Red Dot Design Awards – Winner – Communication Design 2020 - World Illustration Awards Longlist - Design Product & Packaging category - Johnnie Walker

Impressions

Interview

Video

Website

Send Enquiry

Interview

What drew you to illustration/design?As cheesy as it sounds I've been drawing for as long as I can remember so illustration has always been a part of who I am. I'm naturally creative so I think it was impossible not to pursue illustration. Do you have any formal design training? I'm self taught in illustration and have a degree in Law from the University of Sheffield. Where are you originally from? I was born in a little seaside town called Cleethorpes, we then moved to Hull, East Yorkshire when I was 4 and I lived there until I went to uni in Sheffield. Where do you live now & what drew you there? I now live in Sydney, Australia and have done so for the past 6 years. I first came here to visit a friend and ended up meeting my husband and staying! Where is your studio and can you describe it for me? My studio is the front room of our new house. My studio has nice old wooden floors and crisp white walls. I have a large white desk, which is brilliant for laying out all my work. How do you get your ideas? If I'm reading a client brief normally the ideas will pop into my mind. For added inspiration I will use Google, Pinterest and also flick through my art books. Tell us about a favourite project you've recently completed.I've just completed a series of horse illustrations for Chinese New Year stamps for Guernsey Post. I really enjoyed this project because it's something I've always wanted to do and it's extra special because I get to research my Chinese heritage. The Queen also has to approve the designs so it's quite nice knowing she'll be looking at my work. What would be your dream job/commission? I'm always excited when I am commissioned to illustrate for a client. Designing a limited edition coin for the Royal Australian Mint was pretty amazing, it's something I never thought I'd achieve. I would love to illustrate for Vogue Magazine or the New York Times, or design for Topshop, Nike and H&M. If you were not an illustrator, what would you be? I was a search marketing manager writing Google ads but I plucked up the courage to leave and pursue illustration full time. So if I wasn't an illustrator I'd still be doing that. Growing up I wanted to be a Barrister or Judge. What's the best advice you've ever been given? Dreams don't work unless you do. Who would you like to have as your muse if you were painting their portrait? The Queen. What do you have bookmarked? All the usual things like Hotmail, Facebook, Pinterest, Illustration Ltd.

Favourites

Cafe: The Grounds of Alexandria because they have a pet pig there called Kevin Bacon Art Equipment/Tool: Faber Castel fountain pen, a standard pencil and eraser, a scanner then a little Photoshop Food: I love chips and pizza. I really miss English fish & chips with mushy peas. I'm also a big fan of Vietnamese food

Six red snake design Guernsey stamps for Year of the Snake 2025

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Ornate floral frame illustration with symmetrical botanical centerpiece by Chrissy Lau

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Colorful Chinese zodiac horse with lanterns and fruit by Chrissy Lau

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Red Chinese teapot with lotus flowers and water waves illustration

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Red snake surrounded by gold coins on a Year of the Snake stamp

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Line drawing of two women surrounded by flowers, illustrated by Chrissy Lau

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Black-and-white apothecary shelf illustration by Chrissy Lau with jars, plants, books, and flowers.

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Line-art dancers in an ornate hall by Chrissy Lau

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Intricate floral and animal-inspired line art by Chrissy Lau with swirling ornamental patterns.

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Food collage illustration by Chrissy Lau featuring sushi, noodles, seafood, and vegetables

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Chrissy Lau line drawing of the Dymocks bookstore building facade

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Line drawing of vintage bookstore exterior with windows and flowers

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Living room with orange sofa, red lanterns, and a decorated table

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Chrissy Lau Lunar New Year 2026 zodiac postage stamp sheet with horse designs

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Intricate colorful dragon illustration by Chrissy Lau

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Colorful dragon illustration for Lunar New Year celebration

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Colorful dragon and children celebrating Lunar New Year

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Black and white floral portrait illustration by Chrissy Lau

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Chinese Lunar New Year stamp illustration

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johnnie walker year of the pig package illustration

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Chrissy Lau

Selected illustrations

Brightly painted tram in city plaza with people walking nearby

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Red snake design on 2025 Guernsey Year of the Snake postage stamp

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Bright, colorful horse with coins leaps, orange floral background by Chrissy Lau

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Bookstore exterior with flowers, bicycle, and a cat inside window seat.

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2025 Australia Year of the Snake postage stamp with red snake and gold coins

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Chrissy Lau's Romantasy Colouring Book beneath a colorful bouquet of flowers

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Chrissy Lau ocean illustration with octopus, shells, coral, turtles, and starfish

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Ornate compass journal cover line art by Chrissy Lau

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Whimsical still life coloring illustration by Chrissy Lau with books and floral objects

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Chrissy Lau line illustration of the Shakespeare and Company bookstore facade

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Chrissy Lau illustration of a Year of the Horse US Bank calendar

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Outdoor café with table, chair, plants, and a window showing inside details

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Black and white line drawing of a home library with ladder and bookshelves

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Chrissy Lau's colorful Year of the Horse stamp exhibition sheet

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Chrissy Lau illustration of an ornate crystal ball, candles, herbs, flowers, and clouds

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Colorful Year of the Rabbit 2023 Lunar New Year stamps with animals and red swirls

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Colorful Year of the Dragon flags hanging on street poles

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Pink living room with chandelier, shell sofa, coffee table, and two cats.

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Colorful Chinese rabbit mural with peaches and flowers on red background

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Chrissy Lau illustration of two women surrounded by ornate flowers and botanical patterns

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Mid Autumn Festival scene with rabbits and mooncakes by Chrissy Lau

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Chrissy Lau line drawing of a bookstore storefront with a scooter and chair

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Chrissy Lau artwork featuring colorful Australian Snake Lunar New Year stamps

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Colorful psychedelic pattern with fruits and flowers by Chrissy Lau

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Brightly colored snake illustration with bold patterns on blue background

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Brightly colored Chinese snake with flowers and lanterns on blue background

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Red and gold wood snake with floral patterns for Lunar New Year

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Brightly lit bird sculpture on green trash bin outdoors at night

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Colorful Chinese New Year lion dance with traditional decorations by Chrissy Lau

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Cozy bookshop illustration with books, bicycle, flowers, and cat

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Red and gold snake illustration on 2025 Christmas Island stamp

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Chrissy Lau illustration of two women kissing within an ornate floral frame

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Chrissy Lau illustration of an open book surrounded by plants, mushrooms, and magical objects

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Chrissy Lau illustration of a couple embracing in a flower-filled garden

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Chrissy Lau illustration of women sharing tea around a dining table

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Chrissy Lau illustration of a Chinese bookstore with bookshelves, cats, plants, and tiled pavement

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Chrissy Lau's colorful A World of Cozy Bookstores coloring book spread

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Line drawing of Tipping & Company Bookshop facade with columns and entrance

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Red chaise lounge and decorative shelf with plants and figurines under staircase

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Ox stamps for Australia Christmas Island

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Chrissy Lau illustration of a peacock surrounded by flowers and open books

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Lunar New Year 2022 stamps featuring various cartoon tiger designs

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Colorful dragon and children illustration for Lunar New Year

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Chrissy Lau line drawing of a cozy library with plants, bookshelves, seating, and circular window

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Book cover of The Colorful Jane Austen by Chrissy Lau with ornate floral illustrations.

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Chrissy Lau creates Australia Post' Tiger Stamps 2022

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Black and white illustration of bedtime stories

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Selected Clients

Samsung, Johnnie Walker, Marie Claire, Sydney Opera House, Jetstar, BIC, Random House Penguin, Harper Collins, US Bank, LUSH, Woodford Reserve, Australia Post, Commonwealth Bank, Royal Australian Mint, Guernsey Post, Orange Mobile, Mambo, Red Magazine, Men's Health Magazine, Elle Girl, Virgin, City of Sydney, Pearson Publishers