This is a background character illustration process from the second book about the amazing dog named Coco. It shows how simple shapes come alive through shading—kept soft and subtle so the character has form without stealing focus from the main story.

I’m Martynas, an illustrator who can work in a wide range of styles — adapting to fit the story, the mood, and the author’s vision. I’ve always been drawing, but my path into books wasn’t straightforward. For years I worked in animation — hundreds of projects where I learned how to give characters movement, timing, and personality. That experience shaped the way I draw today: I don’t just make images, I try to make them feel alive. The real turning point came when I walked up to Andy. At that time, I had no book illustrations in my portfolio — not a single one. Still, BearWithUs decided to trust me, and that trust became my doorway into illustrating books. It was a reminder that sometimes you don’t need a perfect portfolio; you just need someone to believe in you. Since then, books have become my favorite playground. I love getting lost in characters, quirks, and details that give each story its own heartbeat. And because I’m a bit of a free spirit, I usually work on the move — art supplies stuffed in my backpack, riding my motorcycle from place to place, sketching whenever inspiration hits. At the core, I just love creating illustrations that connect with people — that spark something human, something alive. Oh, and in this video, it’s me going to create your books ;)