Illustrator of stories that come to life

Who I am and why my images are more than drawings?

Portrait of Carles Arbat

I’m Carles Arbat, an illustrator born in Bescanó (Girona), currently based in Reus, city from which I fill pages with colors and characters.


With over 20 years of experience in the publishing world, I love turning words into images that bring texts to life for readers of all ages.
My versatile, colorful, and expressive style adapts well to picture books, young readers’ literature, educational materials, and magazines.
I enjoy telling stories through my illustrations and, every now and then, sharpening my pencil to deliver a little “bite.”

I have collaborated with several publishers and magazines at a national, European, and U.S. level, such as Baula, Barcanova, Penguin Kids, McGraw Hill, and Scholastic, among others. I have also taken part in internationally awarded educational projects. As an author, my picture book Bring Back the Crazy Cows! was honored with the prestigious Premi Llibreter in 2005.


For me, illustration is a way of telling stories, dreaming, thinking, and learning.