10 women illustrators on Instagram we'd love to be real-life friends with
For their saccharine-sweet snippets and shareable sass
I met my spirit animal — a permanently exhausted pigeon. I owe this soul connection to Gemma Correll and her tribe of illustrators on Instagram who’ve become my virtual girl gang, especially when my IRL friends can’t get on a con call because of time zones, meetings, and needy partners.
From the quirks of a dysfunctional romance to championing body positivity, these talented illustrators on Instagram have a knack of bringing to life our exact thoughts, uniting harried women everywhere.
Let their works of art help you soldier through those woeful weekdays.
10 women illustrators on Instagram to get you through the week
Gemma Correll (@gemmacorrell)
“Infamous anti-socialite and pug lady” is how the illustrator describes herself. I like to call her the creator of my (and every working adult’s) spirit animal – the permanently exhausted pigeon.
Correll’s creations feature pugs and cats, the famous ‘Nope’ girl, and if that’s not good enough for you, (really?) then go for her relatable takes on all-things millennial — telephobia and dealing with anxiety and introversion.
Finding a community of like-minded worrywarts on her page will surely warm your cynical heart right up.
So, happy scrolling (and probably, unemployment if you don’t exercise self-control) to you.
Maria Qamara (@hatecopy)
‘I don’t want flowers, I want revenge’ is possibly the only mantra going around a person’s mind when wronged by a partner.
This account by one of the most popular desi illustrators on Instagram is the out-loud version of your inside thoughts, laced with sanskari sass.
Everything you’ve ever wanted to say to nosey Nita and her friends (who can’t seem to contain their fountains of unsolicited advice), all the things you’d want your misogynistic Tinder date to know, and a healthy dose of positive affirmations.
Also, check out the illustrator’s merchandise, which includes crockery that will make tea time a lot more interesting.
Catana Chetwynd (@catanacomics)
If your love story is laced with more grocery store runs than candlelight dinners, this account will remind you that over-loading your cart with nachos and three bags of M&Ms is more romantic than you think.
Inspired by creator Catana Chetwynd’s real-life relationship with her bearded fiancé, the account features comics based on their daily interactions.
This sweet, witty account of modern-day love is great for PMS scroll binges, and is an engaging (more realistic) and time-efficient substitute for three-hour-long rom-coms.
Jodie Langford (@bodeburnout)
‘Sorry I’m late, I wanted to cum’ — unabashedly real. ‘Don’t cut your hair over a boy’ — succinct and relatable. ‘Fucking thriving’ — inspiring.
An MVP among the women illustrators on Instagram, this page is for all the times you need a reality check but your best friend has “meetings to attend and stuff to do”.
Look out for profound lessons in self-love and body positivity, and PSAs to prepare you for Mr. Right. Remember, every time your life coach bails on you, this is where you need to head for direction.
Saher Sohail (@thepakistanimarthastewart)
Show them not the middle finger, but a bejewelled Thanos sleeve when they mention dowry.
Always keep the nazar repellent spray handy, and stock up on that ansoo-proof mascara. These are a few life lessons I’ve learnt from The Pakistani Martha Stewart.
The illustrator’s exploration of “South Asian woes” is tongue-in-cheek, and as shareable as it gets.
Desi Fairy (@sleepysoymilk)
This body positive handle gives you a sneak-peek of your neighbourhood rishta aunty’s shade card that assesses your chai’s kadakness, lets you experience the fantastical world of a brown mermaid, and reminds you that you aren’t alone and that there are others dreaming about jalebis and biryani too.
Priyadarshini Kacker (@p.kacker)
Raja Ravi Varma’s apple replaced by a bloody tampon, a burqa-clad Mona Lisa, women waiting for Wi-Fi signal in an Amrita Sher-Gil classic, an empowering take on the Hindi alphabet and so much more — we cannot get enough of the illustrator’s bold, on-the-nose graphics.
Akanksha Agnihotri @doodlesndreams
Honest, simple and sincere, the illustrator’s doodles tell tales of female friendships, wandering minds, and everyday struggles in the most delightful way possible.
Haven’t we all looked at someone our friend hates, and thrown in a very mature, ‘there goes your best friend’?
Whether it’s a maddening Monday or a terrible Tuesday, these doodles are the only pick-me-ups you need to be reminded that you’re not suffering alone.
Ashley Lukashevsky (@ashlukadraws)
Body positivity, LGBTQIA+ activism, equal pay and self-love are some of the many themes depicted through this illustrator’s beautiful work.
She uses her forum to spread the love, and literally stick up her middle finger at all the stereotypes standing in the way of progress.
Because, your sexuality, your rules.
Alison Rachel (@recipesforselflove)
Replace the good morning Whatsapp forwards with these self-love one liners, and your day will start on a surprisingly happy note. Easy to relate to and easier to understand. The illustrator brings to life women from all walks of life, so scroll for long enough and you might just catch a glimpse of yourself. The illustrations address mental health, sexuality, feminism, self love and more.