Levi Pinfold
A Hogwarts Reunion in Ink
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Bloomsbury commissioned a new artistic take on J.K. Rowling’s classic world—a series of House-themed editions of the Harry Potter books. The honor of illustrating these books went to award-winning illustrator Levi Pinfold. For Pinfold, whose teenage years were steeped in the magical world of Harry Potter, the project was more than a job; it was a personal journey back into a formative literary universe.
“Life was a surreal wonderland for an hour or two, then I realised I had to actually do the work!” Pinfold admitted, upon discovering he would be the illustrator behind these editions. His work would not only be seen by millions of fans but would also become part of a series that generations continue to treasure. The first thing he drew? A majestic badger, paying homage to his personal favorite house: Hufflepuff.
Heraldry and House Pride
Each of the House Editions features meticulously designed covers and interiors that reflect the identity and values of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Pinfold drew on historical heraldic traditions to create unique crests for each house, embedding each one with symbols that conveyed specific meanings.
For instance, the Hufflepuff crest includes beech leaves symbolizing tolerance, a lamb for gentleness, and a beehive to represent hard work. Gryffindor’s crest features antlers for agility, a unicorn for purity, and its iconic red symbolizing military strength. Slytherin’s green denotes endurance, with a crescent moon for splendor and a cockatrice representing fierce power. Ravenclaw’s emblem includes parchment scrolls, a spearhead, a book, and an owl—symbols of academic prowess and wisdom.
“I love coded systems and the language of alchemy,” Pinfold explained. “It’s saying something specific about qualities, not just concrete things.”
Tiny Details, Grand Designs
In addition to the cover art, Pinfold created illustrations for house common rooms, founder portraits, and symbolic border designs packed with storytelling details. With a penchant for intricate, coded visuals, Pinfold took inspiration from medieval woodcuts, Renaissance etchings, and even Blake and Dürer. Each cover and its elements were carefully researched and composed to reflect the heart of the house it represented.
“It’s just the little tiny details that I really enjoy,” he said. “Because they’re so hard to see and I think that really brings it together and turns it into something you feel like you can disappear into.”
The Challenge of Popularity
Illustrating such a beloved franchise brought with it a heavy weight of expectation. “Harry Potter means a lot to so many people, so it comes with a responsibility,” Pinfold acknowledged. Each cover took several long days, often completed during sweltering Australian nights to avoid the heat of the day. With 10 to 18-hour workdays, he found the project both technically demanding and emotionally rewarding.
Despite being sorted into Ravenclaw by Pottermore, Pinfold often declared, “Hufflepuff is where it’s at.” Perhaps that’s why he found such joy in illustrating its symbols. Yet his favorite cover to design was Slytherin, particularly due to the opportunity to finally draw a cockatrice.
Artistic Roots and Influences
Unlike many illustrators of his generation, Pinfold started with traditional techniques—tempera painting, fine ink work, and woodcut-style illustrations. His work on the Harry Potter series required a shift in process. Due to tight deadlines, he adapted by creating most initial sketches on a digital tablet while maintaining the textured, handcrafted feel of his traditional work. “It was a case of learning from my experience of doing things traditionally, and applying them to a digital mindset.”
The change didn’t compromise the aesthetic. From majestic badgers to book-laden owls, the warmth and depth of Pinfold’s traditional art still glowed in every illustration. Even the tiniest symbols told stories if one took the time to look.
Extending the Magic
Pinfold’s involvement in the Harry Potter universe didn’t stop with the early books. He illustrated Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix House Editions and contributed richly detailed illustrations to The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac. His illustrations of the Order of the Phoenix members, including lesser-known characters like Dedalus Diggle, brought fresh life to familiar faces. He also contributed character portraits and helped visualise key locations, such as house common rooms and magical sites.
The fourth House Edition, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, was a particular triumph. Its central imagery—the Goblet of Fire surrounded by symbolic borders representing the four house elements (fire, air, water, earth)—united the book’s themes with the values of Hogwarts houses. From dragons to Beauxbatons carriages, Pinfold's work continued to elevate the visual canon of Harry Potter.
Looking Forward with Ink-Stained Hands
Though Pinfold now finds himself at the heart of one of the most recognizable literary franchises in the world, he remains humble. He still works long hours, often retreating into his studio for up to 18 hours a day. He draws inspiration from alchemy, heraldry, and medieval art. “Time-consuming,” he quips when asked to describe his style. His advice for aspiring illustrators is simple: “Practice. Every day.”
What’s next? At the time of writing, Pinfold has completed artwork for The Order of the Phoenix and is working on The Half-Blood Prince. More exciting collaborations with Bloomsbury lie ahead, alongside his work on personal projects like Paradise Sands.
With his talent, diligence, and reverence for Rowling’s world, Levi Pinfold has etched his own name in the artistic legacy of Harry Potter. Whether through a delicate ink line or a digitally rendered parchment scroll, his art continues to capture the essence of magic, making Hogwarts feel like home again.