An illustration student from the University of Cumbria has been honoured with a special award by British art materials manufacturer Derwent.
Elizabeth Joyce, known as Lily, won the 2026 Derwent Prize for Excellence during the University of Cumbria’s graduation ceremonies this week.
The graduate’s work focuses on digital collage, blending analogue methods with digital processes.
Her portfolio includes an illustrated edition of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, which she fully designed and illustrated.
University tutors said: “Lily has a remarkable, instinctive ability to put marks down in an evocative, deeply human way. Even at the level of initial thumbnails and development sheets, her work carries a clear sense of artistry, intent, and craft.
“While, like much contemporary illustration, digital intervention plays a role in Lily’s practice, it is used sparingly and purposefully — primarily to bring together and present work that is rooted in entirely analogue marks and materials.
“Lily also has a strong and distinctive aptitude for working with type. She takes full ownership of typographic form through hands‑on, analogue processes, favouring pencils, scissors, and physical experimentation over complex software or hardware.
“This materially grounded approach runs consistently through her practice and underlines a deep, confident engagement with drawing as both process and outcome. Her work consistently demonstrates a clarity of thinking and a respect for materials that aligns closely with the ethos of the Derwent Art Prize.”
Lily said: “I am gratified to have been put forward for this award, and seeing all the positive responses to my work as a result has been incredibly rewarding.
“Through my time at the University of Cumbria I have grown into a passionate and capable creative practitioner, and am excited to continue building my career as an illustrator as well as returning to the university next year through the Graduate in Residency programme.”
Tracy Strong, museum manager at the Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick, said: “It’s a real pleasure to recognise Lily’s work. What I noticed straight away is how natural it feels.
“I think the heart of her work is clearly in drawing, experimenting, and working directly with materials. Her approach to lettering is especially lovely.
“She is thoughtful about her materials and how she uses them, and that care comes through in the final work. It feels very true to what drawing is all about, and that’s why her work stands out.”
The partnership between the University of Cumbria and Derwent is now in its 11th year.
Winners of the award receive a limited edition box of Cumberland Pencils.
