Digital Freelance Artist | TheSleepingFoxy

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TheSleepingFoxy

Book Illustrations&Concept Art

About Me

Welcome to my portfolio!

I'm Mary, a Digital Illustrator and Concept Artist from Italy.

I create book illustrations for authors and publishers, bringing their vision to life through character art, book covers, endpapers, comics and more. Explore my Gallery, and if my work resonates with you, feel free to get touch! 🧡

Commission info

Today marks 1 year as a full time illustrator 💖

Looking back it's still hard to believe that this is my life now.
I can't say it's been easy, and I've made mistakes and it's been hard at times.
I still have so much to learn.

I'm working hard to improve in many different aspects and I'm am so grateful to everyone that has been following my journey and has trusted me with their characters and their worlds. It's difficult to put into words how happy that makes me feel. Thank you.

Here's a reel of some of the artworks I've worked on this past year 💕

#digitalart #artcommission #vgen #characterart #bookart

Today marks 1 year as a full time illustrator 💖

Looking back it's still hard to believe that this is my life now.
I can't say it's been easy, and I've made mistakes and it's been hard at times.
I still have so much to learn.

I'm working hard to improve in many different aspects and I'm am so grateful to everyone that has been following my journey and has trusted me with their characters and their worlds. It's difficult to put into words how happy that makes me feel. Thank you.

Here's a reel of some of the artworks I've worked on this past year 💕

#digitalart #artcommission #vgen #characterart #bookart

From finished artwork to sketch 😅
Commission for @bookish.gelli 💖💖

#bookart #characterart #sjmaas #acotar #sketchvsfinal

From finished artwork to sketch 😅
Commission for @bookish.gelli 💖💖

#bookart #characterart #sjmaas #acotar #sketchvsfinal

Sharing the Character Art I made for the lovely @rlynn_solomon 😊✨

#characterart #bookart #illustration #bookstagram #artwork

Sharing the Character Art I made for the lovely @rlynn_solomon 😊✨

#characterart #bookart #illustration #bookstagram #artwork

Process video of the character art for @raebooknook 🥰

Credits to this wonderful edit idea to @chl0woe
I saw their video the other day and fell on love with their art 🥰

Process video of the character art for @raebooknook 🥰

Credits to this wonderful edit idea to @chl0woe
I saw their video the other day and fell on love with their art 🥰

From Lineart to finished Illustration
Character Art commission for @sarasimonibooks ☀️🌟

A bit of an update on my schedule for the next few months:
This year has been very difficult, especially when it comes to keeping up with my workload. I took on too many commissions, and between school and still having a day job at the time, I ended up falling behind on some projects and it has taken a real toll on me. While I’m finally getting back on track, I don’t want to make the same mistake again.
I’m trying to be more careful with the number of commissions I take, especially over the next few months.
If you’d like to secure a spot for this year, check the link in my bio and fill out the form, or DM me to book your slot for Fall/Winter 2026 and early 2027.
And thank you everyone for the amount of support and trust in my art 🫶🏻🧡

#digitalart #characterart #bookish #illustrationartists #bookstagram

From Lineart to finished Illustration
Character Art commission for @sarasimonibooks ☀️🌟

A bit of an update on my schedule for the next few months:
This year has been very difficult, especially when it comes to keeping up with my workload. I took on too many commissions, and between school and still having a day job at the time, I ended up falling behind on some projects and it has taken a real toll on me. While I’m finally getting back on track, I don’t want to make the same mistake again.
I’m trying to be more careful with the number of commissions I take, especially over the next few months.
If you’d like to secure a spot for this year, check the link in my bio and fill out the form, or DM me to book your slot for Fall/Winter 2026 and early 2027.
And thank you everyone for the amount of support and trust in my art 🫶🏻🧡

#digitalart #characterart #bookish #illustrationartists #bookstagram

Endpaper Illustration for "Drowning Thrones - Egypt Empire" by @miri.smith.autorin published by @loomlightverlag in Germany ✨🌟

Swipe for the full image 🌸

#bookart #characterart #artcommission #illustration #digitalart

Endpaper Illustration for "Drowning Thrones - Egypt Empire" by @miri.smith.autorin published by @loomlightverlag in Germany ✨🌟

Swipe for the full image 🌸

#bookart #characterart #artcommission #illustration #digitalart

Character Art commission for @caseylblair 🥰

#illustration #characterart #artcommission #bookillustration #bookart

Character Art commission for @caseylblair 🥰

#illustration #characterart #artcommission #bookillustration #bookart

✨Repost✨
To celebrate spring and longer days 🥰
One of my favourite piece from a few years back.

Also one of my first attempts to make 🌶️more detailed backgrounds 🌸

Still in love with this one and it's cosy vibes.

#digitalart #illustration #artwork #springvibes #witchyart

✨Repost✨
To celebrate spring and longer days 🥰
One of my favourite piece from a few years back.

Also one of my first attempts to make 🌶️more detailed backgrounds 🌸

Still in love with this one and it's cosy vibes.

#digitalart #illustration #artwork #springvibes #witchyart

Philomena
D&D Character Art for @fountain_writes

I had so much fun designing this one and Jessica is amazing 🌸✨

#dungeonsanddragons #characterart #artcommission #characterdesign #illustration

Philomena
D&D Character Art for @fountain_writes

I had so much fun designing this one and Jessica is amazing 🌸✨

#dungeonsanddragons #characterart #artcommission #characterdesign #illustration

Cover Illustration for Fortune by @kcastauthor 🥰💕

Created thanks to @nicolelechtdesigns
@read_bloom

Swipe to see the details and sprayed edges!!
Fortune is coming may 26th 🌸

#bookcover #romance #fantasy #illustration

Cover Illustration for Fortune by @kcastauthor 🥰💕

Created thanks to @nicolelechtdesigns
@read_bloom

Swipe to see the details and sprayed edges!!
Fortune is coming may 26th 🌸

#bookcover #romance #fantasy #illustration

Character art commission for @hardlycharly 🥰✨

Dishonored Character Overseer Martin and their OC Alicia

#artcommission #romance #illustration #characterart #digitalart

Character art commission for @hardlycharly 🥰✨

Dishonored Character Overseer Martin and their OC Alicia

#artcommission #romance #illustration #characterart #digitalart

🌺✨

#digitalart #illustrations #romantasy #fantasy #characterart

🌺✨

#digitalart #illustrations #romantasy #fantasy #characterart

Process video on my lastes fan art commission for @missiemei and @ktreadsthings 🥰

#emilywildesencyclopaediaoffaeries #processvideo #artwork #illustration #romantasy

Process video on my lastes fan art commission for @missiemei and @ktreadsthings 🥰

#emilywildesencyclopaediaoffaeries #processvideo #artwork #illustration #romantasy

From sketch to final and all the in-between ✨
Illustration for @ktreadsthings @missiemei

Character fan art from "Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of faeries" by @heather_fawcett 🌿

#digitalart #emilywildesencyclopaediaoffaeries #characterart #fantasyart

From sketch to final and all the in-between ✨
Illustration for @ktreadsthings @missiemei

Character fan art from "Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of faeries" by @heather_fawcett 🌿

#digitalart #emilywildesencyclopaediaoffaeries #characterart #fantasyart

Character art for @breenovels
Swipe for the full pic 🥰

Last year I've had the pleasure to work on this illustration for Bree for a special edition of her series "The Quill and the Vial" a wonderful and cosy epic fantasy romance.

Bree was one of my first clients in this community a few years back and I was so happy to work together again on this project 🧡

#characterart #artwork #illustration #romantasy #bookart

Character art for @breenovels
Swipe for the full pic 🥰

Last year I've had the pleasure to work on this illustration for Bree for a special edition of her series "The Quill and the Vial" a wonderful and cosy epic fantasy romance.

Bree was one of my first clients in this community a few years back and I was so happy to work together again on this project 🧡

#characterart #artwork #illustration #romantasy #bookart

About time I shared this big commission I had the pleasure to work on back in July for the wonderful @catherinecowlesauthor 🧡

Fitting all the characters in one place was a challenge but one I happily took on ✨

Characters from Catherine Cowles "Sparrow Falls" Series

#artcommission #romancebooks #catherinecowles #characterart #illustrationartists

About time I shared this big commission I had the pleasure to work on back in July for the wonderful @catherinecowlesauthor 🧡

Fitting all the characters in one place was a challenge but one I happily took on ✨

Characters from Catherine Cowles "Sparrow Falls" Series

#artcommission #romancebooks #catherinecowles #characterart #illustrationartists

Character Art illustration for @avalon_griffin ✨

#artwork #sketch #blackandwhite #artcommission #romantasy

Character Art illustration for @avalon_griffin ✨

#artwork #sketch #blackandwhite #artcommission #romantasy

Character Art commission for @bettycorrello

Such a lovely collab ✨

#digitalart #artwork #artcommission #characterart #romance

Character Art commission for @bettycorrello

Such a lovely collab ✨

#digitalart #artwork #artcommission #characterart #romance

Character Art illustration I made for the lovely @scarlet_furey
It was a gift for a friend ✨
Characters belong to @throughhellorhighwater 🧡

#characterart #illustration #digitalart #originalcharacters #tarotcards

Character Art illustration I made for the lovely @scarlet_furey
It was a gift for a friend ✨
Characters belong to @throughhellorhighwater 🧡

#characterart #illustration #digitalart #originalcharacters #tarotcards

These are not even all of them as some I'm still working on and some are not ready to be shared.

I cannot even begin to express how 2025 changed my life career wise. Never in my wildest dreams I could've expected such switch. Looking back I worked so hard and made so many art pieces I'm proud of and it's incredible to see the improvement from the beginning of last year till now.
I have collaborated and am still collaborating with the most amazing clients and I feel so lucky to be part of this community of artists and authors.
2025 has not been perfect and I have struggled (and still am) at times especially with the workload and it's something I'm working on improving day by day.

My goals for this new year are
✨ to keep up what I've been doing so far and finish all the workload from last year as soon as possible
✨ get better and faster
✨ improve at communicating and my presence on social media
✨ work on more exciting projects
✨ do more art for myself (there are some cool challenges out there)
✨ read more, play more video games and generally have more time for myself.

Can't wait to see what this New Year will bring ✨
Thank you all for sticking with me and for supporting my journey. For your trust, patience and understanding. It's an honour to bring your characters to life. Love y'all 🫶🏻

#2025recap #digitalart #bookart #artcommissions #bookishcommunity

These are not even all of them as some I'm still working on and some are not ready to be shared.

I cannot even begin to express how 2025 changed my life career wise. Never in my wildest dreams I could've expected such switch. Looking back I worked so hard and made so many art pieces I'm proud of and it's incredible to see the improvement from the beginning of last year till now.
I have collaborated and am still collaborating with the most amazing clients and I feel so lucky to be part of this community of artists and authors.
2025 has not been perfect and I have struggled (and still am) at times especially with the workload and it's something I'm working on improving day by day.

My goals for this new year are
✨ to keep up what I've been doing so far and finish all the workload from last year as soon as possible
✨ get better and faster
✨ improve at communicating and my presence on social media
✨ work on more exciting projects
✨ do more art for myself (there are some cool challenges out there)
✨ read more, play more video games and generally have more time for myself.

Can't wait to see what this New Year will bring ✨
Thank you all for sticking with me and for supporting my journey. For your trust, patience and understanding. It's an honour to bring your characters to life. Love y'all 🫶🏻

#2025recap #digitalart #bookart #artcommissions #bookishcommunity

I wasn't sure if I wanted to post this today or at the end of December.
But since today's my ✨birthday✨, it seems nice to also celebrate almost 10 years of this challenge. It feels weird to think I was in my early twenties when I started this and to see how far I would come.
And even though it's been a long time coming, this marks the year I can proudly say I'm doing art full time.

To think that in 2025 alone I've worked (still working) on more than 100 projects... It's unbelievable.
Tho I'm a bit behind on some projects and I still have a long way to go. It has not been as easy as I thought, but I am happy 😊
And grateful for every single project and person I've met and I want to thank once again everyone that has trusted me in bringing their chances to life ✨
Here's to another year full of art 🎨 🥂
Can't wait to see what'll bring

#artvsartist2026 #artistjourney #digitalart #artworks #artprogress #illustration #bookartist #characterart #bookstagram #digitaldrawing #fantasyart #romantasy

I wasn't sure if I wanted to post this today or at the end of December.
But since today's my ✨birthday✨, it seems nice to also celebrate almost 10 years of this challenge. It feels weird to think I was in my early twenties when I started this and to see how far I would come.
And even though it's been a long time coming, this marks the year I can proudly say I'm doing art full time.

To think that in 2025 alone I've worked (still working) on more than 100 projects... It's unbelievable.
Tho I'm a bit behind on some projects and I still have a long way to go. It has not been as easy as I thought, but I am happy 😊
And grateful for every single project and person I've met and I want to thank once again everyone that has trusted me in bringing their chances to life ✨
Here's to another year full of art 🎨 🥂
Can't wait to see what'll bring

#artvsartist2026 #artistjourney #digitalart #artworks #artprogress #illustration #bookartist #characterart #bookstagram #digitaldrawing #fantasyart #romantasy

From sketch to final and everything in between ✨
Commission for @eckersleywrites 🥰

#artwork #digitaldrawing #artprocess #sketchvsfinal #romance #bookstagram

From sketch to final and everything in between ✨
Commission for @eckersleywrites 🥰

#artwork #digitaldrawing #artprocess #sketchvsfinal #romance #bookstagram

I had this video sitting for a while in my drafts 🧡

Illustration for @stellarossiwrites
#digitalart #speedpainting #processvideos #arttutorials✏️🎨 #artcommissions #bookart #romance #bookart #characterart

I had this video sitting for a while in my drafts 🧡

Illustration for @stellarossiwrites
#digitalart #speedpainting #processvideos #arttutorials✏️🎨 #artcommissions #bookart #romance #bookart #characterart

Do you see the resemblance? 🥰✨

#artist #illustration #digitalart #artvsartist

Do you see the resemblance? 🥰✨

#artist #illustration #digitalart #artvsartist

I'm late to this as only now I find my feed invaded with these edits and I couldn't resist!!
It's also the first time in a long time that I really felt compelled to draw something for myself ✨

Used this to imagine Evangeline's wedding to Apollo, and Jacks in the crowd, smirking lol

Characters from "Once Upon a Broken Heart" by @stephanie_garber

#arttrend #illustration #onceuponabrokenheart #ouabh #stephaniegarber #romantasy #romance #evajacks #goldenbrown #characterart

I'm late to this as only now I find my feed invaded with these edits and I couldn't resist!!
It's also the first time in a long time that I really felt compelled to draw something for myself ✨

Used this to imagine Evangeline's wedding to Apollo, and Jacks in the crowd, smirking lol

Characters from "Once Upon a Broken Heart" by @stephanie_garber

#arttrend #illustration #onceuponabrokenheart #ouabh #stephaniegarber #romantasy #romance #evajacks #goldenbrown #characterart

From sketch to final ✨
Step by step

Commission for @menakawrites_

#sketchvsfinal #artprocess #digitalart #illustration #originalart #characterart #romantasy #bookart #bookstagram #bookartist #rendering #lineart #sketch #stepbystep

From sketch to final ✨
Step by step

Commission for @menakawrites_

#sketchvsfinal #artprocess #digitalart #illustration #originalart #characterart #romantasy #bookart #bookstagram #bookartist #rendering #lineart #sketch #stepbystep

Commission for @menakawrites_ ✨🧡

#digitalart #illustration #bookart #artworks #artcommission #originalart #bookartist #bookstagram #fantasyart #characterart #characterdesign #romantasy #instaart

Commission for @menakawrites_ ✨🧡

#digitalart #illustration #bookart #artworks #artcommission #originalart #bookartist #bookstagram #fantasyart #characterart #characterdesign #romantasy #instaart

From flats to render 🥰
The satisfaction in finishing those feather 🪶

Artwork for @korinamurphy

#artreveal #rendering #sketchvsfinal #artprogress #originalart #characterart #artcommission #romantasy #bookstagram

From flats to render 🥰
The satisfaction in finishing those feather 🪶

Artwork for @korinamurphy

#artreveal #rendering #sketchvsfinal #artprogress #originalart #characterart #artcommission #romantasy #bookstagram

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@thesleepingfoxy

Projects Showcase

Kristin Cast, Death, Book Cover

Kristin Cast, Fortune, Book Cover

Ali Roberts, The Unseen, Book Cover

Christina Rain, Magic Drowned In Blood, Endpaper

Christina Rain, Crowns Buried in Chaos, Endpaper

Christina Rain, A Palace Woven In Darkness, Endpaper

Miriam Smith, Drowning Thrones 1: Egypt Empire, Endpaper

Miriam Smith, Drowning Thrones 2: Keltic Kingdom, Endpaper

Anna Nicoletto, Nemesi Montfort College, Character Art

Chloe C. Penaranda, Behind the Broken, Character Art

Sara Simoni, Manuale di Magia Oscura per Giovani Spose, Character Art

Maggie Eckersley, Back In The Saddle, Character Art

Stephanie Alves, The Rule Breaker, Character Art

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