For Shanghai MGM Bund Hotel.
Let’s meet an artist who focuses on those peaceful, solitary moments when a woman can feel comfortable, relax and reflect upon the world.
Just a quick browse through Leah Han’s portfolio more than demonstrates what an incredible talent she is. Few illustrators have a style that’s quite so resolved and purposeful, while depicting subjects that so perfectly balance confidence with vulnerability. Sweeping, organic curves combine with gentle palettes for a look that’s tranquil yet glowing with quiet, sustained energy.
In an age of processor-powered AI imitation, Leah is a true original. The secret, perhaps, is that each illustration is drawn with feeling and created for a reason – to celebrate modern femininity.
“The intention behind my work is to capture women’s moments of self-introspection and solitude. In my illustrations, there is almost always a woman enjoying a moment of her own, immersed in her own world with a calm, inward focus,” says Leah.
“I want to express that women should feel cheerful about themselves and take care of their own thoughts, increasing their sense of individual agency rather than measuring themselves through others’ eyes or by how well they fit into a group,” she adds.
Nomad’s Garden – shortlisted in the World Illustration Awards 2025.
Two images from the Little Escape series.
From Leah’s collaboration with CASEKOO.
Some of her work’s originality stems from the way she synthesises Eastern and Western influences. Originally from Chengdu in China, Leah grew up in a place where life is a little slower and where people have a more philosophical outlook. Moving to Berlin, the thinking is more precise and logical. Together, these attitudes create a fascinating tension in her work, while her aesthetic takes cues from both European and Chinese culture, with some whimsical surrealism thrown into the mix.
For example, the wonderful, organic line work that is a cornerstone of her style comes out of years of practising Chinese painting, yet the lines themselves are thin, and her forms are balanced. “By combining empathy, personal reflection and consistent practice, I’ve gradually refined my style to what it is today, while allowing it to keep evolving as I do,” says Leah.
She uses a variety of media. Procreate is the first option for smaller pieces, where she builds up her sketches and colour matches. For larger commissions, Photoshop is often the tool of choice. With its unlimited layers and the ability to handle finer details, it’s easier to use for complex jobs.
However, Leah has never abandoned her favourite traditional media. For example, her personal series Moments of Her Own is created entirely by hand using gouache and watercolour. “I think it’s important to maintain that slower, more tactile process. It creates a deeper connection with the work and stimulates both sensitivity and creativity in a way that digital tools can’t fully replace,” she says.
Ethereal Embrace.
Moments of Her Own.
The streets of Berlin are brimming with inspiration for Leah. It’s full of fashion boutiques serving different neighbourhoods, each of which has a distinctive style. Fashion is something she finds hugely inspiring too, while her artistic heroes include David Hockney, Frida Kahlo, Kelly Beeman and Chang Yu. They’ve all influenced her visual language.
As the playfulness of her artwork suggests, Leah doesn’t see illustration as a job. For her, it’s a world to explore new things – from painting to crafts to motion design and more.
“The most exciting thing I have coming up is a new illustration line that I’m developing alongside my existing series,” says Leah. “While my current work often features full, detailed compositions, this new line will focus on dynamic, motion-based elements in my style. I plan to create animated icons, motion illustrations, and adaptable visual elements that can work for campaigns, packaging, products and more.”
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