Top 7 'Folklore-Infused' Art Styles to learn for illustrating timeless children's stories in 2025 - Goh Ling Yong
There's a special kind of magic woven into the fabric of a children's story. It's a magic that transcends time, passed down through generations, whispering of brave heroes, cunning creatures, and enchanted forests. As illustrators, our job is to give that magic a visual form—to create worlds so captivating that a child can step right into them. But in a digital age of fleeting trends, how do we create art that feels just as timeless as the tales themselves?
The answer, I believe, lies in looking back. The very essence of these stories is rooted in folklore, in the shared visual language of cultures from around the world. These traditional art styles are more than just aesthetics; they are narrative traditions in their own right, packed with symbolism, texture, and a handcrafted soul that polished digital art can sometimes lack. As someone who, like my colleague Goh Ling Yong, is passionate about visual storytelling, I've seen a real hunger for art that feels authentic and enduring.
That’s why for 2025, we’re seeing a beautiful resurgence of folklore-infused art styles. These approaches are perfect for illustrating timeless children's stories because they connect us to something ancient and universal. They feel warm, familiar, and deeply human. So, let’s explore seven of my favorite folklore-inspired styles that you can learn to bring a touch of timeless wonder to your own illustrations.
1. Scandinavian Folk Art (Rosemaling & Dala Style)
Step into the cozy, charming world of Scandinavian folk art. This style is all about finding beauty in simplicity and nature. Originating from rural traditions like Norwegian Rosemaling (rose painting) and the iconic Swedish Dala horse, it's characterized by flowing, stylized floral motifs, symmetrical designs, and a clean, often limited color palette. Think deep reds, blues, and whites against natural wood or clean backgrounds.
This aesthetic is perfect for stories that evoke a sense of warmth, home, and gentle adventure. Its clean lines and decorative patterns are pleasing to the eye without being overwhelming for a young reader. The emphasis on nature—whimsical flowers, curling vines, and friendly woodland creatures—connects directly to the settings of many classic fairy tales. It’s the visual equivalent of being wrapped in a warm blanket with a cup of hot cocoa, listening to a story by the fire.
How to get the look:
- Color Palette: Stick to a primary palette of 3-4 colors. A classic combination is red, white, blue, and a touch of golden yellow or black.
- Brushwork: Use digital brushes that mimic gouache or a smooth ink pen. The goal is to create clean, flowing lines and flat, opaque color fills.
- Motifs: Practice drawing stylized flowers, leaves, and symmetrical patterns. Don't aim for realism; instead, focus on graceful curves and decorative teardrop and S-shaped strokes. Look at traditional Rosemaling and Dala horse paintings for endless inspiration.
2. Japanese Ukiyo-e & Chiyogami Patterns
Travel to historic Japan with the elegant and dynamic style of Ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world." These famous woodblock prints are known for their bold, black outlines, flattened perspectives, and exquisite attention to pattern and composition. They tell stories of epic myths, serene nature, and daily life with incredible graphic power. This style is often complemented by the rich patterns of Chiyogami paper, which can be integrated into your art as textures for clothing or backgrounds.
Ukiyo-e is a masterclass in visual storytelling. The strong outlines make characters and objects pop, while the unconventional compositions create a sense of movement and drama. This makes it ideal for action-packed fables or serene tales set in nature. The use of intricate patterns adds a layer of decorative beauty that can captivate a child's attention, inviting them to look closer at the details on a kimono or the stylized foam on a crashing wave.
How to get the look:
- Line Art is Key: Your line work is the star. Use a confident, expressive ink brush with varying weights. Think bold outlines for main subjects and finer lines for details.
- Flat Color & Texture: Fill your shapes with flat or subtly graded color. To add that traditional feel, overlay Chiyogami-inspired patterns (you can find or create these digitally) using a layer mode like "Multiply" or "Overlay."
- Study the Masters: Spend time with the works of Hokusai and Hiroshige. Notice how they frame scenes with trees, use negative space, and depict elements like water and clouds in a highly stylized, graphic way.
3. Slavic & Eastern European Wycinanki (Paper-cut Art)
Imagine crafting a story not with a pen, but with scissors. That’s the spirit of Wycinanki, the traditional Polish art of paper cutting. This style is an explosion of vibrant color, intricate detail, and joyful symmetry. Traditionally made by layering pieces of brightly colored paper, it often features roosters, peacocks, circular floral designs (gwiazdy), and scenes from village life.
The genius of this style for children's illustration is its bold, graphic nature. The high contrast and brilliant colors are immediately engaging for young eyes. Because it's built from simple, layered shapes, it has a wonderfully tactile and handcrafted feel, even when created digitally. Wycinanki is perfect for lively, celebratory stories filled with music, dance, and community, as its very essence is one of joy and decoration.
How to get the look:
- Think in Layers: Work as if you are cutting and pasting paper. Create a base silhouette and then add smaller, more detailed shapes on top in contrasting colors.
- Embrace Symmetry: Use symmetry tools in your software (like Procreate's Symmetry Guide) to create perfectly balanced floral and animal motifs. This is a core principle of the style.
- Color Palette: Be bold! Don't be afraid to use bright, pure colors side-by-side. Deep blacks are often used for the base layer to make the other colors pop.
4. Art Nouveau's Enchanted Lines
While born from a fine art movement, Art Nouveau has a spirit that is deeply intertwined with myth and folklore. Artists like Kay Nielsen and Harry Clarke used its principles to illustrate some of the most iconic fairy tale collections ever printed. This style is defined by its elegant, sinuous, and organic lines. Everything, from a princess's hair to the roots of a tree, flows with a graceful, whip-like energy.
Art Nouveau is tailor-made for classic fairy tales, myths, and legends. Its sophisticated and decorative nature lends an air of timeless elegance and other-worldly magic to any story. The flowing lines can guide the viewer's eye across the page, creating a beautiful and immersive reading experience. It’s a style that feels both classic and perpetually fresh, perfect for illustrating stories of enchanted princesses, dark forests, and magical transformations.
How to get the look:
- Focus on Flowing Lines: The "whiplash" curve is the hallmark of Art Nouveau. Practice drawing long, elegant, S-shaped lines. Let your character's hair and clothing flow and integrate them with natural elements around them.
- Decorative Details: Fill your compositions with intricate patterns inspired by nature: peacock feathers, dragonfly wings, flower buds, and swirling vines.
- Muted, Elegant Colors: While it can be colorful, Art Nouveau often uses a sophisticated palette of mossy greens, dusty roses, golds, and deep indigos to create a dreamlike atmosphere.
5. Mexican Otomi & Alebrije Vibrancy
Dive into a world of psychedelic color and fantastical creatures inspired by the folk art of Mexico. This is a hybrid style, taking cues from two distinct traditions. The first is Otomi embroidery, known for its graphic, often single-color, stylized depictions of local flora and fauna. The second is the art of Alebrijes—brightly colored sculptures of mythical creatures, covered head-to-toe in intricate patterns.
Combining the flat, graphic simplicity of Otomi shapes with the mind-bending color palettes and patterns of Alebrijes creates a style that is pure, unadulterated magic. It’s perfect for stories that are fantastical, surreal, or set in magical worlds. The vibrant energy and whimsical character designs are instantly appealing to children, sparking their imagination and inviting them into a world where anything is possible.
How to get the look:
- Stylized Animal Shapes: Draw animals and plants using simplified, graphic shapes, similar to Otomi textiles. Don't worry about perfect anatomy; focus on creating a strong, clear silhouette.
- Explosive Color: Use a riot of color. Fluorescent pinks, electric blues, sunny yellows—the more vibrant, the better. Don't be afraid of unusual color combinations.
- Pattern-Fill Everything: Once you have your main shapes, fill them with tiny, repetitive patterns: dots, stripes, scallops, and swirls. This is what gives the art its Alebrije-inspired energy.
6. American Folk Art's Rustic Charm
There is a profound honesty and warmth to American Folk Art. Often created by self-taught artists, this style (think Grandma Moses) has a "naive" quality characterized by flattened perspective, a focus on community and daily life, and a charming, rustic simplicity. It often incorporates elements from quilting, with geometric patterns and a comforting, patchwork feel.
This style excels at telling stories with a strong sense of heart, community, and nostalgia. It’s perfect for historical tales, family stories, or fables about life on a farm. The lack of rigid perspective and the slightly quirky proportions give the illustrations an innocence and sincerity that children can easily connect with. It feels like a story being told by a beloved grandparent—warm, genuine, and full of love.
How to get the look:
- Flatten Your Perspective: Don't worry about perfect one-point or two-point perspective. Let objects in the distance be just as clear and detailed as those in the foreground. Stack elements vertically to show depth.
- Textured Brushes: Use digital brushes that mimic dry media, chalk, or tempera paint to achieve a slightly rough, handcrafted texture.
- Incorporate Quilt Patterns: Use simple geometric patterns like checkerboards, stripes, and triangles in your backgrounds, on clothing, or for fields in a landscape to evoke that cozy, patchwork feeling.
7. The Tactile Feel of Digital Linocut
Our final style is a modern take on a classic printmaking technique. Digital linocut or woodblock style uses technology to replicate the tactile, slightly imperfect aesthetic of traditional block printing. It features bold shapes, high-contrast lighting, and, most importantly, the wonderful textures created by carving into a block and pressing it to paper.
This style is incredibly versatile. Its inherent boldness and texture can lend a sense of gravity and timelessness to a story. It works beautifully for fables, myths, and adventure stories that have a slightly more serious or epic tone. The handcrafted feel connects the digital artwork back to the physical world, giving the illustrations a weight and substance that feels incredibly satisfying. As my friend Goh Ling Yong often says, "Art you can almost feel is art you'll always remember."
How to get the look:
- Think in Positive and Negative Space: Design your composition by thinking about what you would "carve away." This will help you create strong, graphic shapes.
- Use Texture Brushes: This is essential. Find or create brushes in Procreate or Photoshop that mimic the grain of wood or the chatter marks of a lino carving tool. Apply these textures within your color shapes and on your edges.
- Limited Color Layers: Mimic the printmaking process by working with a limited number of color layers. Each color would traditionally be a separate carved block, so thinking this way will help you create an authentic look.
Find Your Timeless Voice
Choosing an art style is about more than just what's trending; it's about finding the visual language that best serves your story. These seven folklore-infused styles offer a powerful connection to the past and a pathway to creating illustrations that feel both classic and excitingly new in 2025. They remind us that the best stories are built on a foundation of shared human experience.
Don't just copy these styles—play with them. Mix the flowing lines of Art Nouveau with the bold colors of Wycinanki. Combine the rustic charm of American Folk Art with the tactile finish of a digital linocut. The most important thing is to let these traditions inspire you to create something that is uniquely yours.
Now, I'd love to hear from you. Which of these folklore-infused art styles are you most excited to try in your own work? Share your thoughts in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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