Prints, Portraits & the Beautiful Mess In Between

Hello! Welcome to my online world. A little about me… I’m a designer and illustrator with over a decade of experience working at the crossover of art and design. I studied fashion illustration in my late teens and fell in love with drawing people - something that’s stuck with me ever since.

These days, I work full-time as a designer for a global lifestyle brand, creating prints and artwork for products that end up in homes, hands, and suitcases around the world. On the side, I run a small studio practice that brings together the best of both worlds: slow, expressive pencil portraiture and bold, commercially-minded surface prints.

I’ve taught hundreds of people how to draw (both online and in person), collaborated with some brilliant brands, and built Print Haven — a curated print library where home and fashion labels can license exclusive textile designs.

Right now, I split my time between developing new print collections and taking on a handful of custom portrait commissions, usually based on wedding, maternity, or engagement photos.

Outside of all that, I’m wrangling two small kids, chasing my Italian greyhound, or climbing imaginary hills on my spin bike for fun/punishment.

I’m always happy to connect and discuss new projects, collaborations, or just say hello. Feel free to reach out at hello@vanessavanderhaven.com — I look forward to hearing from you!