ME IN A NUTSHELL

My name is Joey, and I’m a 27 year old freelance illustrator, Background Artist and Production Designer. 

I specialize most in making striking and atmospheric work – with a strong focus on depth, color and composition. But I enjoy all things illustrative, and I relish the challenge of turning a brief into the right end result.

On a more personal note, I love drawing moody or cozy environments, particularly fantasy landscapes. 

MY BACKSTORY

I’ve been drawing my whole life! Which was stimulated during those early years by my elementary and high school: Waldorfs schools with a high amount of creative subjects.

This interest in drawing was supercharged after I watched the Lord of the Rings Appendices. Seeing artists such as Alan Lee and John Howe putting their imagination to help design those movies was incredibly inspirational. 

When I was 15 I moved to Sweden where I attended a preparatory Art & Design program at the Folkuniversitetet in Karlstad. I graduated 2015 with a distinction in design. 

Following that I did a bachelor’s degree called Visual Communication + Change at Linnaeus University in Kalmar, Sweden. An experimental and interdisciplinary study focused on sustainability and design. Which I graduated from in 2018.

Since 2019 I have been working as a freelance artist focusing mainly on illustration. In the same year I had the privilege to work on the first Dutch interactive animation (ROBIN), doing storyboarding, concept, layout and background art.

Over the following years I’ve worked on a wide variety of projects. Making illustrations for albums, posters, banners, magazines and more. And collaborating on animated productions such as music videos, explainers and short movies. 

I currently live and work in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Joey Pool - Illustrator - Utrecht, the Netherlands

MY BACKSTORY

Joey Pool - Illustrator - Utrecht, the Netherlands

I’ve been drawing my whole life! Which was stimulated during those early years by my elementary and high school: Waldorfs schools with a high amount of creative subjects.

This interest in drawing was supercharged after I watched the Lord of the Rings Appendices. Seeing artists such as Alan Lee and John Howe putting their imagination to help design those movies was incredibly inspirational. 

When I was 15 I moved to Sweden where I attended a preparatory Art & Design program at the Folkuniversitetet in Karlstad. I graduated 2015 with a distinction in design. 

Following that I did a bachelor’s degree called Visual Communication + Change at Linnaeus University in Kalmar, Sweden. An experimental and interdisciplinary study focused on sustainability and design. Which I graduated from in 2018.

Since 2019 I have been working as a freelance artist focusing mainly on illustration. In the same year I had the privilege to work on the first Dutch interactive animation (ROBIN), doing storyboarding, concept, layout and background art.

Over the following years I’ve worked on a wide variety of projects. Making illustrations for albums, posters, banners, magazines and more. And collaborating on animated productions such as music videos, explainers and short movies. 

I currently live and work in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Where I share an office with Saverio Wielkens (character designer).

COLLABORATIONS

COLORBANDITS

Together with Saverio Wielkens I run COLORBANDITS. An illustration and animation Agency. We’re currently developing our website, But you’re very welcome to shoot us an email at: hello@colorbandits.nl

Studio Fivehead

I’m part of the Fivehead Collective. A group of artists specializing in doing animated productions. Such as animated music videos and short movies.