Laura Coutinho: Contemporary Illustration and Printmaking

Laura Coutinho is a Portuguese illustrator and visual researcher currently based in London, whose artistic practice is a delicate exploration of memory, place, and the natural world. A graduate of the Kingston School of Art with a degree in Graphic Design, Laura Coutinho has developed a unique visual language that blends analogue and digital techniques to create deeply atmospheric compositions. Her work is primarily rooted in monotype printing, specifically utilizing water-based methods to translate fleeting observations into tangible narratives of kinship and nostalgia. The creative process for Laura Coutinho often begins with a rich personal archive of photographs, home movies, and found objects, which serve as the foundation for her drawings. She masterfully captures the countless details encountered during her walks—the specific curve of a petal, the play of light on a mountain, or the gentle posture of a hand. These elements are then distilled through the lens of memory and imagination, resulting in layered scenes that invite viewers to find space to breathe. By integrating childlike brushstrokes with a refined sensitivity to color and texture, Laura Coutinho’s work resonates with a sense of quiet intimacy. Her illustrations have been featured in prominent design publications, highlighting her role as a notable voice in contemporary printmaking and illustration. Whether exploring the textures of the natural landscape or the soft edges of nostalgia, the work of Laura Coutinho remains anchored in a profound fascination with the beauty of the everyday and the human connection to the environment.