About Tom Laird Illustration

Hi there! I’m Tom, a Glasgow native and proud graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, where I earned my BA Honours Degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working on everything from brochures and advertising to bus liveries, packaging, and point-of-sale displays for many recognisable names. I’ve also illustrated a variety of scholastic books, blending both illustration and design for numerous clients and employers.

For a long time, I stuck with traditional illustration techniques because using graphics tablets felt a bit clunky and disconnected. That all changed when my wife surprised me with an iPad Pro and Pen. At first, I wasn’t sure—until I remembered that my art hero, David Hockney, uses one. If it was good enough for him, it was good enough for me! I set out to master drawing digitally, aiming to replicate the feel of drawing on paper.

Now, I’m thrilled when customers are surprised to learn that my illustrations are created digitally on an iPad. That reaction makes all the hard work worth it! Whether it’s a pet portrait or a gifted print, I’m proud to know my artwork is putting smiles on faces and hanging in homes across the UK, USA, and Australia.

My goal has always been simple: to create art that makes people happy. And I hope to keep doing that for a long time. Thanks for visiting my site—hope you enjoy what you see!