Lisa Candel        

Illustrated self-portrait of author and illustrator Lisa Candel with shoulder-length dark brown hair, round glasses, beauty marks, a black choker and a grey off-the-shoulder top, painted in a soft, sketchbook-inspired style.
Illustrated self-portrait of author and illustrator Lisa Candel with shoulder-length dark brown hair, round glasses, beauty marks, a black choker and a grey off-the-shoulder top, painted in a soft, sketchbook-inspired style.

I’m an indie author and artist based in London. When I’m not teaching French you’ll find me writing, drawing and/or expanding the worlds I create.

Welcome in!

Spread across my desk

Latest article :

I only seem to function in overload => Read here

Currently Writing :

Redrafting the plot outline of Lacey’s True Love

Currently Drawing :

Shenanigans in Hartfield

Latest favourite thing :

Dorothy’s red slippers, the Cast Courts at V&A

more about me

  my book(s?)  

Illustration of the manor from The Vampires of Yeeting Hill, silhouetted against a crimson sky beneath a full moon, with thousands of bats swirling overhead as the building dissolves into the flock.
Paperback book cover of The Vampires of Yeeting Hill by Lisa Candel, showing three vampire sisters gathered around a smoking cauldron beneath a blood-red sky, with a dark castle silhouetted in the background.

The Vampires of Yeeting Hill

was a passion project that got me through uni. It’s silly and unserious. A nice read about three sisters that you can pick up when you don’t want to start a whole thing.

read more here

  my art  

llustration of Salem in her transformed cat form as a fluffy black cat with bright yellow eyes, a star-shaped earring, a blue crystal pendant and a surprised expression.
llustration of Salem in her transformed cat form as a fluffy black cat with bright yellow eyes, a star-shaped earring, a blue crystal pendant and a surprised expression.

I still struggle to call myself an artist sometimes because I feel like I don’t focus on it enough. Although I have been keeping up (or trying to keep up) an art account since I was 14.

explore the gallery
Fantasy illustration of a wounded character kneeling in a moonlit stone courtyard beside severed glowing green fairy wings, with a sword lying on the ground nearby.
Illustration of Salem looking surprised at a dressing table in a colourful bedroom, holding a mascara wand while surrounded by makeup, art supplies and whimsical decorations.
Character design illustration of Lacey wearing a pink floral dress, shown in three different poses and expressions against a soft pastel background.

from the blog

Thoughts

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Slice of Life

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Reviews

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Writing updates

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Thoughts 〰️ Slice of Life 〰️ Reviews 〰️ Writing updates 〰️

I started bottom of my bag as a project to get out of my writer’s block, and ended up finding myself really, really enjoying blogging. It reminded me of keeping a diary. Today it's a place where I write about books, museums, films, creativity and whatever else happens to inspire me.

Illustrated logo for bottom of my bag, featuring a cream canvas tote bag filled with tarot cards, a bookmark and everyday objects, with pink crystals, coins and crumpled paper beside it.
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Title card for the article Frankelda: The Masterpiece I Didn't Know I Needed, featuring Frankelda reading a book alongside Herneval, with blue stationery-inspired decorations, heart-shaped jewellery and an ink bottle
Title card for the article The Female Friendship Pioneers, featuring Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe holding drinks, surrounded by vintage-inspired decorations, red gemstone jewellery and decorative diamonds.
Title card for the article Going from Dracula to Carnita, featuring the original design of Carnita alongside her later appearance with her two vampire sisters from The Vampires of Yeeting Hill, framed by a gothic window, a red flower and vampire-them