Step into the world of Amandine Delaunay and it feels like opening a half-forgotten fairy tale—one that smells like sea salt, ink, and pine forests. Born in 1988 and based in Paris, Amandine is an illustrator and author who doesn’t just draw animals; she listens to them. Her work lives in that sweet spot between science and storytelling, where botanic plates flirt with folklore and wildlife feels quietly alive. With a master’s degree in art direction from ESAG Penninghen, she brings serious craft to her playful curiosity.
Her influences read like a dream art syllabus: Ernst Haeckel’s scientific precision, Gustave Doré’s drama, Tommy Ungerer’s wit, Quentin Blake’s looseness, and Pénélope Bagieu’s modern punch. That mix shows up everywhere in her illustrations—controlled but expressive, gentle yet fearless. Amandine moves effortlessly between worlds, collaborating with major publishing houses, art galleries, and luxury brands, while still keeping her work deeply personal.
Animals are the heartbeat of her art. Whether she’s sketching a whale mid-dive or a fox standing still in a frozen forest, her images feel less like portraits and more like encounters. She’s fascinated by ecosystems, by how humans and animals share space, and by the fragile poetry of nature itself. From ocean expeditions in Scotland to upcoming Arctic voyages along Greenland’s coast, Amandine doesn’t just imagine wild places—she goes there. And then, with ink-stained hands and a storyteller’s soul, she brings them back to us.
You can find Amandine Delaunay on the web:
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A Fairy-Tale Lens on the Animal Kingdom
Amandine Delaunay’s animal illustrations feel like modern fairy tales stripped of clichés and dipped in quiet wonder. There are no loud scenes or forced drama here. Instead, animals appear calm, observant, almost aware that they’re being watched. Her line work is deliberate and intimate, giving each creature a presence that feels earned, not exaggerated.
What makes her approach special is restraint. She doesn’t over-decorate or crowd the page. White space becomes part of the story, letting the viewer breathe and linger. Fur, feathers, and skin are hand-drawn with obsessive care, often in deep blacks and cool blues that hint at dusk, snow, or deep water. The result is work that feels timeless—like illustrations pulled from a nature journal kept by a traveler who really paid attention.
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From Publishing Houses to Pattern Studios
While Amandine’s work feels poetic, her career is anything but accidental. She collaborates with major publishers and galleries, bringing her visual language into books, exhibitions, and collections that reach wide audiences. In 2019, she co-founded the Calicot pattern studio in Paris, expanding her practice into wallpapers and surface design for packaging, décor, and fashion.
This shift didn’t dilute her voice—it amplified it. Her patterns still carry that natural rhythm, turning leaves, animals, and organic forms into repeating stories. It’s proof that her art can live anywhere: on a gallery wall, inside a book, or wrapped around an object you hold in your hands.
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My Cabin in Canada and the Beauty of Stillness
One of Amandine’s most striking bodies of work is My Cabin in Canada (Ma Cabane au Canada). Inspired by the remote wildlife of northern Quebec and dedicated to her sister Lucie, the series is a love letter to solitude and cold landscapes. Animals and environments are treated with equal respect, emerging slowly through disciplined lines and icy tones.
The series leans into silence. Sparse compositions, frozen light, and minimal color palettes create a meditative rhythm. Each illustration feels like a pause—a moment of stillness where nature isn’t performing, just existing. It’s intimate, honest, and deeply human.
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Art, Science, and the Joy of Sharing
Amandine’s curiosity has taken her far beyond the studio. From documenting whales and dolphins aboard a scientific research vessel in Scotland to preparing for an Arctic artistic residency, her work is grounded in real-world exploration. These experiences feed directly into her books and illustrations, blending scientific accuracy with emotional storytelling.
Yet, her greatest joy is connection. Through workshops in schools, libraries, and bookstores, she encourages students to embrace mistakes, play with ink, and laugh through the process. That generosity shows in her art—it invites you in, gently, and reminds you that wonder is something you can learn to see again.
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In Summary
Who is Amandine Delaunay?
- She is a Paris-based illustrator and author known for fairy-tale-inspired animal and nature illustrations.
What themes define her artwork?
- Animals, nature, marine life, botany, and the relationship between humans and their environment.
What is My Cabin in Canada about?
- A series inspired by northern Quebec wildlife, focusing on stillness, cold landscapes, and quiet observation.
Does Amandine work with science-based projects?
- Yes, she collaborates with scientists and has joined marine and polar expeditions to inform her work.
What makes her animal illustrations unique?
- A balance of scientific detail, poetic storytelling, and restrained, expressive line work.
