The most lonely whale in the world is a picture book in close collaboration with writer and friend Kim Crabeels. We started developing this story in the month of May 2016, in the Swedish village of Björköby. The Scandinavian light, vast magical forests and desolate lakes inspired us to do a story about a whale and a girl who are linked. It’s a story about imaginary friendship, to cope with loneliness.

My most recent picture book -Do, the dragon- about to be published (May 2019). A witty story about a dragon who is looking for a mother. On his way, he meets a bunch of crazy characters. And it ends with fireworks! Fully hand-painted & a collaboration with writer Marjet Huiberts, for Lannoo Publishers, Belgium.

'Het meisje met de botjes', published in Dutch by Lannoo Publishers (October 2017), Belgium is my very first picturebook as both illustrator AND author. Slightly based on a Grimm fairytale from the Andes, Peru, this story is linked to the very famous 'Dia de los Muertos', a colorful 'Halloween' in Mexico. It's the story about a girl who's been bewitched into a skeleton trough a spell. She needs to find the countless bones of another bewitched boy in an endless river. How will she manage? About to be translated in French by Alice Editions.

‘Het hele soepzootje’ is my very first non-fiction title, written by scientist Floor Bal & published by Gottmer publishers in the Netherlands. It tells the story of the beginning of time, the birth of our planet and the evolution of human beings for the very young. I absolutely loved drawing these space landscapes and dinosaurs, my inner ‘boy’ was out again like never before! The book is about to be translated in Danish and Chinese.

My Rock is a straight forward & light filosophical picture book for young children in collaboration with the great writer (& musician) Elvis Peeters (Elvis & Nicole, a duo). The story is about a seagull who lives on a rock. One day -after the seagull was looking for food on the beach- he comes back to his rock and finds a lizard on top of it. This starts a discussion between the 2 characters about the rock, who they are both claiming as their home. This book was published in dutch by Belgian publisher Lannoo (may 2017).

As the winner of the 'Picturale' biennale prize in Ronse, Belgium, I had the honour to show my work in 'de ververij', a contemporary art center in a former factory (for paint) in the city of Ronse. As part of the prize, I was granted a mural in the heart of the city. It was one big party & during the whole set-up, I was surrounded by the most lovely & helpful people. Grateful.

My sketchbook.

The starting point for all my projects and stories. The thing I love the most is to loose myself on its white pages and search for the right character, landscape, house, fashion, colors, structures and techniques without any given boundaries. Concept art is the very core of my inspiration. 

While on holiday, my sketchbook comes along. For me, sketching on vacation is just pure luxury.

Could never do without.

Geluk. Or -hapiness- is a colourful picture book with 10 different stories about birds in search for happiness. The concept also exists in the shape of a board game.

It's a read-do-act book & game for families with the goal to feel more attached with live and happiness.

Concept and text by Leo Bormans, published by Lannoo Publishers in Dutch, in the year 2014.

Translated in French by Glénat Jeunesse, in Canada by Editions de L'homme, in Germany by Dumont Buchverlag, in Korea by Better Books and in Poland by Publicat.

The birds have been used by Museum M Leuven and by Fort Napoleon, Oostende for an exposition and guided tour for young visitors trough the museums.

They are currently part (until the 15 th of June 2019) of an exposition in the Library of Genk, Belgium.

This big picture book, Cat with a capital C, was written by author Siska Goeminne and was published in Dutch by Lannoo Publishers in early summer 2014 with the original Dutch title: Kat, met hoofdletter K.

The book is a modern age adaptation based on the famous fairytale 'Puss in Boots'. The story unfolds in NYC, around the golden year of 1930. This setting is completely different from the original, romantic French tale.

Cat, with a capital C is a story about opportunity, ambition and pure selfishness. The story comes with a twist in the end and presents itself as a fully illustrated, big picture book to read for or together with children. It could be the starting point for a discussion with children about ambition and how to reach there goals.

This book is in the process of being translated in english by Plurus Books, UK and in Chinese by China People's Oriental. 

The illustrations for this book were awarded with the 'Picturale' prize in 2015.

This musical picture book for children 'Wit konijn in Wonderland' originally written in Dutch by Siska Goeminne, comes with a CD.

The colorful composition performed by DeFilharmonie and expressive vocal presentation of the text allows you to both read & listen. This brings a more intense way of experiencing the narrative. 

The story is an adaptation based on the famous story 'Alice in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll and is about Alice who's fed up with her life and rebels against the content of this classical story. 

It was published by Lannoo Publishers, 2015.

'Weg' or 'Away' is the first picturebook with words of my own. This book -under construction- will be a story about a father Babu and his girl who are running away from home. Home is fading away by some sort of mist. An empty -white- space who erases everything. They look for a new place to live and encounter dangers and will be confronted by the boundaries of what a home can or should be for a family. To be finished and will be published by Lannoo.

These illustrations were custom made for Boekieboekie magazine, the Netherlands. Strongly inspired by Jules Verne & early filmmaker Méliès, I came up with these theatrical images. They were exhibited @ Kunsthal Rotterdam to celebrate the 100th issue of Boekieboekie.

Together with writer and friend Kim Crabeels, I was selected as artist in residence in the quiet country village of Björköby, Sverige. It resulted in a very productive week that changed my work profoundly. I tried to work more with the aspect of a dominant nature/landscape as main character and the use of endless space and nordic colors/light. It felt like a fresh summer breeze trough my way of working. Many thanks go to Joke Guns & deAuteurs for making this happen.

Magnus is a series of picture books for the very young ones, written by Kim Crabeels. 

The protagonist -Magnus-  is a little boy who uses his rich imagination to come up with ideas and solutions in recognizable, daily family situations.

This series of funny, crazy picture books is about to be translated in Korean by Gimm Young and is already loved by lots of Belgian children.

Magnus was used as central character for an exposition/awareness project/guided tour/interactive postcard happening at Museum M, Leuven. Visiting children in the museum could discover the work of Vesalius trough an interactive Magnus guide, filled with small assignments and playful games. They could invite children who are unable to visit the hospital -due to illness- to the museum trough postcards. This was a true succes.

The series picture books are being published by Lannoo Publishers.

-Het Rarebeestencarnaval- or -Le Carnaval des Animaux- is a well known musical composition for a small orchestra, composed by Camille Saint-Saëns.

DeFilharmonie -a Belgian orchestra- performed this masterpiece for children all over the country. It was an honour and a true delight to create these theatrical illustrations for the picture book accompanied by a CD.

With Siska Goeminne, published by Lannoo Publishers.

This book was awarded a 'Boekenpluim' in the year 2014.

Illustrations for The Brugge Concert Hall. Stories, based on classical, musical compositions for children. With Evelien De Vlieger.

Illustrations or posters for various events and organizations.

Editorial illustrations, mainly based on articles for newspapers such as De Morgen & De Standaard or magazines such as Humo, Knack Weekend or Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazine.