Illustrator Gerda Smit

Published on October 21, 2025 | Written by Parpar

A Studio Visit with Illustrator Gerda Smit: Creativity in Full Bloom

by Julaine Marais

On Friday, 3 October, I had the pleasure of visiting the studio of artist and illustrator Gerda Smit as part of the Open Studios Fish Hoek and Clovelly initiative. Nestled in the heart of Fish Hoek, her creative space—O.Griet Studio—is a delightful display of colour, imagination, and inspiration.

From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by the colourful creativity that is her passion and work. Gerda generously shared a personal viewing of her artistic process, showcasing her sketches, finished illustration pages, character concepts, and a delightful collection of the children’s books she has brought to life.

Gerda’s approach to illustration is thoughtful and collaborative. She works closely with authors to design characters, patiently exploring different techniques and media until the perfect visual voice for the story emerges. Each character is developed with care, evolving through sketches, experiments, and refinements until they’re ready to leap from the page.

In addition to her illustration work, Gerda is passionate about sharing her love of art through teaching. At her O.Griet Studio, she offers a variety of art classes and workshops, including watercolour classes and pottery sculpting sessions. She also presents her popular watercolour workshops for groups to co-create a birthday calendar, as well as acrylic glazing on wood, and more. Each workshop is designed to be hands-on, engaging, and full of creative discovery.

Click the link for more information about illustrations or find out more about O.Griet Studio, go to info-ogriet-com.format.com

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