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Read More About Lemon Rose Studios...
We were invited by Newcastle Uni to Live Illustrate at Winter Congregations 2025:
Congregations with Lemon Rose Studios; what went on in the Pop-Up shop?
Our Latest Venture...
Lemon Rose Studios x John Lewis
In what marks an exciting development from their recent series of successful pop-ups, Lemon Rose Studios will soon be hosting a pop-up inside John Lewis’ Eldon Square location; between the 4th and the 10th of May.The pop-up has been organised in collaboration with IND!E, a company that connects small businesses with industry giants, such as John Lewis. Any small business owner would jump at the chance to be placed alongside a such a trusted and well-established brand, and so IND!E’s pop-ups are highly competitive, receiving ‘hundreds of applications.’ To have been selected is a testament to the quality and creativity of Lemon Rose Studios’ products.Above all, John Lewis is renowned for its homeware. So, truly embracing the opportunity, Lemon Rose Studios have curated a campaign exclusively tailored to John Lewis’ homely atmosphere, aptly entitled ‘A Place to Call Home’. The collection is inspired by the personal and intimate touches that make a place feel like a home. From treasured memories of a childhood bedroom to the milestone of collecting the keys to a first home, the pop-up will encourage visitors to reflect on what home means to them. After all, what is more individual than the place we call home?Visitors can expect prints in a variety of sizes, greetings cards, and even live commissions. Commissions are unique to you, and entirely personalisable, making them the perfect way to experience the campaign’s themes. However, only a limited number are available, so it is recommended to arrive early to avoid disappointment.Pop down to John Lewis at Eldon Square between the 4th to the 10th May to experience Lemon Rose Studios’ most recent success for yourself!Written by Ruby Tinkler
Our Environmental Mission StatementWe want to be more eco-conscious about how we run our small art business. Our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint. It is important to me personally and as a business, that we are constantly thinking about ways to be better. We relaunched only recently in 2025 and are determined to keep improving our practices as we continue to grow!We are always open to new suggestions! Send in your thoughts and feelings - contact us via Instagram Direct Message @lemonrosestudios , or email: [email protected] .Here are some of the things we are doing as a small business to reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impact:
1. Strictly no AI.
2. Packaging: our clear bags/sleeves to protect art prints and commissions are compostable PLA sleeves from Eco Craft. I believe it is NATIVIA that produces these bags. Visit: https://www.eco-craft.co.uk/pages/faq for more information. As we now have them available in stock, biodegradable cello bags for packaging, we are currently working through our old packaging and will be rolling out the new more sustainable ones soon! The new ones are marked as ECO-CRAFT or NATIVIA. The old ones are blank._
Here is how you can responsibly dispose of these bags: https://www.eco-craft.co.uk/pages/faq“These bags are fully biodegradable and compostable which means that they break down to CO2, H2O and biomass which can then be reused in the eco system to make new plants. This will happen in either in home or commercial composting but in commercial composting the temperature will be higher and the process is much quicker. In a colder home composter it will just take longer.Compost Heap: Ideal choice - these bags are made for both home and industrial composting.Council Garden Waste Bin: Often suitable, but check with your local council first. Some may reject them or consider them the wrong type of waste.Food Waste Bin: May be acceptable, depending on council policy. Bags are suitable for anaerobic digestion or industrial composting - check first.General Waste Bin: Not ideal, but in landfill they’ll still eventually break down to CO₂ and water. ”
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3. We use Kraft Paper in our packaging which is recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. It also gives our packaging a homemade but still elevated touch! What you receive from us is made with care and love! We also use Kraft tape as an adhesive where possible/needed/appropriate. In the future, I am looking to have all of our adhesive packaging be biodegradable - I am looking at some potential options.4. We do not use cello bags for items like greetings cards as they contribute to needless plastic waste, offer little protection against damage (as people like to handle them a lot!), and people like to look inside cards so it is better for them not to be fully sealed! We like the @nakedcards philosophy of ditching unnecessary packaging; Visit: https://www.instagram.com/nakedcards/ for more information.5. We also like to use home-recycled paper for packaging where possible. We use our own paper scraps and repurpose them for packaging such as for our greetings cards!6. Materials: we use FSC certified recycled watercolour paper which is also bio-degradable and compostable (We hope it doesn't come to this but if you ever wish to throw us away, we are at least bio-degradable! So guilt-free!).7. We only choose print suppliers that are local/print locally and only order items that are FSC certified - such as Vistaprint, Print.Work and Solopress. This lowers our carbon footprint and is often cheaper for us anyways, as we don’t have to pay the more expensive overseas shipping fees.8. My chosen medium is watercolour paint - mainly as it is my favourite! And I use portable watercolour brushes (I use 2 for everything) - for me this works really well because 1 of these lasts for several years if they are taken care of well and I never have to worry about pouring away waste water especially when I'm on the go. No paint water ever goes down the drain. When we use India ink, the same applies. It is non toxic but we still avoid creating waste so we use only the amount that is needed at a time.9. Public transport where possible!!! Keywords: “where possible” - when my setup is small and I am travelling locally or into cities/areas easily accessible by public transport, there’s no need for a car. Travelling by public transport such as trains for long distance journeys reduces our carbon emissions. It may take longer and cost more as a trip but we also don't have to take driving breaks on long journeys. Transportation costs are already factored into our pricing, unless you are outside of the North East of England, which incurs a travel fee. Please inquire for more detail!*We would like to commit and hold ourselves accountable to our mission statement. We promise to continue to be aware and keep finding ways to improve our small business practices. Please feel free to give us suggestions - we would love to hear it! *Here are a few things we aim to implement within the year:
1. We are looking to include recycling/disposal guides that will either be included in our packaging and/or as an online guide.
2. I am looking into and testing biodegradable adhesives for packaging.
3. A better way into documenting what we use, companies we recommend for full transparency of our business practices.As a consumer, there are things you can do too to be more sustainable. This includes educating yourself and others about your environmental impact and sustainable practices. As a consumer, you can also make the decision to shop small and shop local!_______________________
Written by Founder and Illustrator of Lemon Rose Studios, Bex Appleton.Updated: 03.04.2026
We were invited by Newcastle Uni to Live Illustrate at Winter Congregations 2025:Congregations with Lemon Rose Studios; what went on in the Pop-Up shop?
Written by Lana Free 18 DECEMBER 2025Winter congregations at Newcastle University bring an air of excitement to the northern chill, with students returning to the city to commemorate their achievements and catch a final glimpse of the arches before beginning their careers. This year brought a special touch to the guests as, whilst the photographers were routinely fixing one mortar board after another and snapping each posed smile, an up-and-coming watercolour artist sat illustrating the day, bringing each unique moment to life.Tucked away behind the photographic booths, Bex and her assistants at Lemon Rose Studios offered live watercolour caricatures to the graduates and their loved ones. Students were able to choose between being drawn live or from their favourite photo, with many watching the talented hands as they sketched their caps and gowns for just 10 short minutes. An artistic alternative to the costly print photographs, Bex’s portraits provided an affordable and beautifully personalised depiction of the special day. Paintings of the iconic university sights were also available to purchase as postcards or prints alongside the portraits, each size (super tiny, postcard, or A5) seemingly made to fit in a pocket or congregation brochure. The portraits and prints complemented each other perfectly in size (A5 and A6), style, and memorability, leaving customers with a truly one-of-a-kind graduation gift; an illustrated microcosm of their university experience.Lemon Rose Studios is known for its watercolour keepsakes and stationery, and has been spotted in markets and events around the North East over the last few years. Bex and her team were invited by the university to hold a pop-up shop at the winter congregations from the 1st to the 5th of December, where she ran the stall and created at least five jobs for local creatives and freelancers. Her commitment to supporting and employing local talent brought a community feel to the pop-up and event, proving that creative entrepreneurship can catalyse opportunities within the wider business and arts scene.Focusing on watercolour portrait commissions and live illustration events, the company are the perfect addition to a special event or celebration. Each unique sketch is beautifully composed to capture each person, couple, or family’s likeness on the day. Many students sitting for graduate portraits also turned an eye to Lemon Rose Studios’ best-selling pet portraits, adding their beloved animal to the caricature or commissioning an extra illustration.“We had graduation sketches of us and a bonus one of our cat as their prices were so reasonable. Really cute pictures and they were lovely people too. Thank you!” – Customer Review.Murmurs of the artistic pop-up drifted amongst the warm buzz of celebrations, making the stall a must-visit for those wanting a playful memento to take home after their ceremony. The adorable style and vibrant watercolours were standout, sealed neatly in a protective pouch ready to be collected and cherished. Although priceless in sentiment, solo illustrations ranged between just £10-£16 – a truly premium service at a student-friendly price.
Lana Free
Freelance Writer
About Us: Lemon Rose Studios Biography
Written by Adam Heslop 18 DECEMBER 2025Nestled in the heart of the North East, Lemon Rose Studios is an independent freelance artist offering live illustrations and watercolour portrait commissions. Whether you’re looking for a new profile picture, commemorating a special moment or devoting a present to a loved one, Lemon Rose Studios will capture their essence in its signature style.Beginning as a freelance experiment in 2023, Rebecca “Bex” Appleton started the account @lemonsandwhiteroses on Instagram to document her journey of drawing every day for a full year, producing short-form daily content as well as weekly re-cap videos on YouTube under the same handle. This project became a muse for motivation, promotion, and daily artistic practice. With this gained experience she launched Lemon Rose Studios in 2024 during her final year at Newcastle University. Initially focusing on bespoke, illustrated wedding portraits, she showcased her confidence and technical ability by creating personalised artworks for each and every guest at her own wedding. Each illustration offered attendees a unique, hand-painted memento, creating a lasting and meaningful connection to the day.For her own unique approach, Bex drew inspiration from a wide variety of places. From the surreal and abstract yet undeniably gentle watercolour works of Loputyn, to the bold and graphic style of political cartoonist Ben Jennings, and of course the delightful whimsicality of studio ghibli character design. Lemon Rose Studios is the culmination of years of artistic inspiration, ultimately weaving into heartfelt, genuine portraits that seem to capture character better than any photo ever could.Shortly after their wedding came a third member to their family, and with it a short break. Services relaunched in 2025, utilising their signature style in the form of live watercolour illustrations at pop up markets. After great success in the 2025 Newcastle University pop up and numerous other appearances in Sunderland and Gateshead local markets (Mackem Market, Craft & Graze, North East BIC, Pop Recs, etc.), they were specifically requested to return for the Newcastle University Congregation pop-up, a clear sign of the pride that Newcastle University feels for one of its most promising STARTUP programme graduates.With a focus on thoughtful, character-led illustrations, Lemon Rose Studios continues to create personal portraits for clients across the UK. Now operating primarily online with a small team of creatives, the studio is open for commissions and always readily available to discuss details. Celebrating a milestone, searching for that meaningful gift, or curious about the process? You can reach Lemon Rose Studios via their Instagram (@lemonrosestudios) or their email address: [email protected].
What is Lemon Rose Studios? Freelance Illustrator to Small Business Founder.
Written by Ruby Tinkler 18 DECEMBER 2025Lemon Rose Studios, founded by Rebecca Appleton in 2024, is a North-East based small business specialising in human and pet caricatures, bespoke events stationery, and live illustrations. Rebecca now makes regular appearances at local markets and events in the North-East, and her business is going from strength to strength.The journey to Lemon Rose Studios began during Rebecca’s time as a student at Newcastle University. In 2023, she started doing commissioned character illustration and comic work as a freelance artist on Instagram with the handle @Lemonsandwhiteroses. Rebecca took on the challenge of drawing every day for a year, documenting her process and experience across various social media platforms. Rebecca’s commitment to posting daily shortform content and longer weekly re-caps grew her audience and led her to an online community.It was then that Lemon Rose Studios was born. While designing and creating her own wedding stationery, Rebecca founded Lemon Rose Studios as a bespoke events stationery service. Aligning her art with the milestones in her life allowed Rebecca to carry the personal touch she developed as a freelance, social media artist forward into her next steps as a business founder.Amongst the chaos of her final year of university study in 2024, Rebecca began to establish her relationship with Newcastle University’s careers service. NCL Start Up is a specific service which offers one-to-one support for entrepreneurial students interested in working for themselves, in whatever capacity, during their studies and for the first two years after graduation. By taking advantage of this resource, Rebecca was able to expand the opportunities available to her as a small business founder and connect with likeminded people.After her graduation, Rebecca took a long, well-deserved, break to have a baby! The flexibility of being a small business founder allowed her to adapt to this new stage of life. In August this year, Rebecca relaunched Lemon Rose Studios, officially registering the business. She began making appearances at local markets, beginning with the Sunderland Teen Market and Sunderland Art Festival.The latest highlight in Lemon Rose Studios’ calendar was a live illustrations pop-up at Newcastle University’s winter congregations between the 1st and 5th of December in collaboration with NCL Start Up. Working with a team of creatives (including writers, photographers and assistant artists), the pop-up was a success both for the business and for Rebecca personally. With some “back-to-back orders” and live illustrations of graduates from a range of disciplines, including psychology, biomedicine and research, it was “great to speak with them about their uni experience” and form a memorable part of their graduation. Alongside Lemon Rose Studios, there were two other small businesses running in the pop-up, and Rebecca loved the opportunity to “see and connect with other creatives.” The winter congregations pop-ups concluded Lemon Rose Studios’ appearances for 2025, entering the festive break on a high!
