Illustrator and Illustrator-Author Study

          Ana Juan is a Spanish illustrator whose illustration style is unique and eye-grabbing. Her style can definitely be described as eerie at times, but in the best possible way. Her work often focuses on fairytale and folklore subjects and themes.

          She has illustrated the entire "Fairlyand" series, written by Catherynne Valente. In this series, her illustrations are mainly in sepia tones, done as soft and detailed pencil sketchings that include ample use of crosshatching to add texture and depth. These illustrations are simultaneously somber and fanciful, her ability to convey tone and atmosphere through them is truly outstanding. Her drawings add an air of mystery to the texts.

          Her cover illustrations for the Fairyland series, as well as her picture book, Frida, are done in full color. She uses a lot of bright reds and jewel tones, and this really makes her illustrations pop and draw the viewer into the worlds she's created.

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