John Shelley, was born in Birmingham UK to an Anglo-Welsh background and grew up in Sutton Coldfield.

He studied painting at Bournville School of Art, then Manchester Polytechnic specializing in children's illustration under Tony Ross. He then founded and became editor-in-chief of the indies rock music and arts periodical The Blue Blanket.

In 1983 Shelley began working as a freelance illustrator in London, and by 1984 had co-founded the artist's collective Facade Studios with designer Andy Royston and illustrators Jane Ray and Willie Ryan. His client list at this time included a wide range of publishers and magazines, as well as the Labour Party and developing countries support organizations. At the same time his interest in Ukiyo-e woodblock prints attracted him towards Japan. In January 1987 he moved to Tokyo in search of the missing link between Samurai and Sony, making it his home for the next 21 years.

In Japan Shelley quickly grew to be a familiar face in the Tokyo advertising and illustration scene. The style initially developed in work for Parco Department Store has been associated with numerous award-winning ads, as well as major special promotions such as the JR Ski Train. His commercial style has been used in everything from animated TV ads, poster and newspaper campaigns to character merchandising and editorial. Bilingual in Japanese and with a unique insight into the Japanese creative market he has stood as a committee member of JAGDA (Japan Graphic Designer Association) and presented at colleges across the country.

Now based internationally, Shelley is active on the world stage, having lectured in places as distant as Los Angeles, Paris and Mongolia, as well as Tokyo and his native UK.

Member of: The Society of Authors The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Picture Book Artists (PBA)

John Shelley Illustration Studio
Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1543 301535
Business conducted in Japanese or English
Fees subject to usage and period of use.

All illustrations on this website are copyright and may not be
reproduced or used in any way without express permission from John Shelley.

Children's Book Agents
UK and Europe - Pam Royds and Caroline Knox at Knoxfolio
(+44) 07977 982359 or email

North America - Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency
(+1) 650-853-1976 or email

John Shelley's commercial, editorial and children's book illustration portfolio spans newspapers, corporate image work for international companies, free clip art ( for MSN / Microsoft), stock illustration, syndicated cartoons, kids books, poster illustration, fashion illustration, mascots, licensed character design, merchandise, fantasy illustration, fairy tales illustration, fairy pictures, book covers, children's illustrations and illustrated graphic design. Artist materials include pen and ink, watercolor , pencil sketch and Adobe Illustrator / Photoshop.

John Shelley's Illustration clients include publishing companies, newspapers, corporate advertising, marketing, trade marks, licencing, television broadcasters, including animated TV commercials and illustration for clients in Kansai * Fukuoka * Hiroshima * Kamakura * Kobe * Kyoto * Nagasaki * Nagoya * Nara * Osaka * Sapporo * Tokyo * Yokohama * Seoul * New York * Miami * Los Angeles * Manchester * London * Birmingham * Paris * Bologna