Maruga Koops is an illustrator based in the Netherlands creating children's book illustrations and greeting card designs full of color, warmth, and diverse characters.
Her illustrations bring diverse characters to life, so every child can see themselves in the stories they read.
Selected Work — Children's book illustrations and greeting card designs
created with warmth, intention, and a whole lot of color.
Children's book illustrations
For publishers worldwide.
Warm, colorful, and rooted in inclusivity.
Illustratie coaching
Voor Nederlandse illustratoren die al tekenen
maar nog geen opdrachten binnenkrijgen.
Schoolbezoek & workshops
illustrator-bezoeken voor scholen en
bibliotheken in Nederland.
A curated selection of clients
Kind words from clients and students
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"Maruga was a pleasure to work with and an extremely talented artist that we are lucky to have in our greeting card line."
— Sarah Taylor
Creative Content Manager — Tree-Free Greetings (USA)
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"Maruga's illustraties weerspiegelen de huidige samenleving, de kijker kan zich hierin identificeren. Haar stijl is tijdloos en omarmt iedereen."
—Mirjam Faessen, Beeldredacteur — Uitgeverij Zwijsen
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"Wat was het fijn om Maruga als coach te hebben! Ze stimuleerde mij om mijn eigen pad als maker te volgen en gaf me veel vertrouwen. Mijn creatieve spark is nu meer aanwezig dan ooit."
—Claire, deelnemer illustratie coaching: The Studio
A bit about me
I'm Maruga Koops — a self-taught illustrator with Aruban-Dutch roots, working from my studio in Utrecht. After being discovered by Lilla Rogers Studio on Instagram, I started creating children's books and greeting card illustrations for clients around the world. I am now represented by Advocate Art. Diversity is at the heart of everything I make.
For Dutch-speaking illustrators: I also offer illustration coaching to help you build a practice that truly fits you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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I create illustrations for children’s books and educational publications, and licenses artwork for products such as greeting cards and puzzles.
I also offer coaching for starting illustrators (available in Dutch). -
Easy! Just send a message through the contact form or book a call for coaching. I’ll help you figure out the next steps and answer all your questions.
For illustration projects outside the Netherlands and Belgium, you can reach out to my lovely agents at Advocate Art. -
Diversity and inclusivity are at the heart of everything I create. I believe everyone deserves to be seen, recognised, and represented.
I’m known for my warm, open, and flexible way of working—and I love collaborating closely with clients. -
You can reach me anytime via my contact page or email. I aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.
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Pricing is flexible and based on the type and complexity of each project. After a first chat, you’ll receive a clear and transparent quote—no surprises.
For coaching, all prices are listed on the coaching page. -
Think collaborative, relaxed, and fun. I love bouncing ideas back and forth and creating something we’re both proud of. I communicate clearly, keep things flexible, and always make space for your input.
My goal? To make the process just as enjoyable as the final illustrations