WES LEAL

WES LEAL

Two people dancing in a colorful, fun setting with a disco ball, rainbow stars, and hanging rainbow-striped star decorations.

I'm Wes Leal — a Cape Town-based illustrator making work that’s bold, honest, and a little offbeat. From commercial campaigns to storytelling, I draw with purpose and personality.

Clients

Nike

Go Daddy

Fabricate

V&A Waterfront

Past Projects

Illustration of a crowd of diverse cartoon children and teenagers wearing green and yellow sports jerseys, celebrating and smiling, with some making gestures and holding drinks, against a plain background.

Nike x Springboks

Colorful, irregularly shaped letters spelling out 'ALL GENDER'S ARE VALID' on a light pink background.
Illustration of a person holding a rainbow pride flag and a black, gray, and pink transgender pride flag, wearing a striped shirt, jeans, and black platform shoes, against a light pink background.

GoDaddy - Pride Campaign

GoDaddy - Pride campaign

Illustration of a person with dark curly hair, wearing a white t-shirt with a black flower and beige sleeves, purple high-waisted pants, kneeling with arms raised, surrounded by stars, with text 'NON-BINARY FINERY' above.

Go Daddy - Trans campaign

Kindred - Market poster

Colorful illustration of diverse people enjoying a picnic in a park, surrounded by trees and flowers. Some are sitting on a checkered blanket, others are standing or kneeling, with pets and rainbow flags visible.

Go Daddy - Pride Campaign

A diverse group of six young people holding a sign that reads 'LOVE IS LOVE' with colorful letters, symbolizing inclusivity and acceptance.

Go Daddy - Pride Campaign

Personal Projects

My personal work is an exploration of narrative timing and visual wit. I lean into the "off-kilter," using oddball characters and punchy visual beats to create stories that reward a closer look. By layering subtle, unexpected details with a specific sense of rhythm, I aim to flip a scene from sweet to sly in a single frame. These projects serve as a space to refine my voice, using recurring motifs and narrative throughlines to build worlds that are as inclusive as they are engaging. The result is a body of work that invites curiosity and celebrates the charm of a well-told story.

A cartoon-style illustration of a girl riding a horse in the desert, with large cacti, rocks, a yellow sun, and flying saucers in the sky.
A with long dark hair floating in space among stars, planets, and celestial objects. The is depicted with a relaxed, happy expression, surrounded by colorful stars, planets, moons, and a stylized atomic symbol, all set against a dark, textured background.
A cartoon person lying on top of a white van with colorful flame designs on the side, against a yellow background. The person is wearing a red cap, green shirt, blue jeans, and orange shoes, and is pointing upward with one hand.

Meet the maker

Young person with shoulder-length wavy hair, smiling, wearing a white T-shirt with a graphic design.

Based in Cape Town, Wes Leal is an illustrator specialising in storytelling that resonates. His aesthetic—defined by softness, humor, and organic textures—bridges the gap between digital platforms and emotional grounding. With a portfolio that includes campaigns for Nike and GoDaddy, Wes translates complex brand messages into inviting visuals that foster community and inclusivity. From large-scale events to intimate digital content, he brings a thoughtful, people-first perspective to every creative partnership.

Contact me
Contact my agent