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InspirationIllustration

Weitong Mai's dreamy illustrations that combine fine lines with soft earthy tones

Soft earthy tones, perfect fine lines and fantasy worlds are the running themes in Weitong Mai's dreamy work – full of whimsical characters, nature and animals.

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Figure seated on colourful ribbons among planets and stars in a dark space scene with fine linework and soft earth tones by Weitong Mai

The London-based illustrator only graduated from the University of the Arts London in 2017 but has already caught the attention of brands as big as the National Trust, Moleskine and Fever Tree.

Deeply inspired by William Morris and Alphonse Mucha, Weitong's earlier work focused on decorative illustrations and delicate line drawing. Her style has since developed a more narrative approach.

"After finishing some packaging and advertising commissions, I started to receive some editorial commissions and slowly found out the essential connection between stories and illustrations," she explains. "Since then, I've wanted to visualise the words to images, and bring out some interesting message to the audience through my creations."

Currently represented by Folio Arts, Weitong is working with publisher, DK Books, on a new book, which is due to be published later this year.

"I create most of my illustrations by the digital method," she adds. "I like to pencil draft and doodle my ideas to paper, and lately colour and finalise them through Adobe Photoshop."

White tiger with a glowing outline leaping through a moonlit forest of stylised green trees and glowing mushrooms, surrounded by flying fish and fireflies in Weitong Mai's dreamlike illustration
A figure with long white hair sits beneath a gnarled tree with golden leaves, gazing at a warm orange sky with a glowing sun and small flying creatures.
Two dark winged creatures with grey feathered wings intertwine against a black background, with a bright red circle positioned behind them
Illustrator in white clothes sits at a grand piano beneath a large glowing moon, playing in heavy rain with birds flying around in the moody blue landscape
Stylised night landscape with a dark silhouetted tree surrounded by drooping green willows beneath a full moon, stars and dandelions, with white circular flowers in the foreground
Person sheltering under an umbrella in a boat among tall trees in rain, illuminated by a glowing yellow sun, in muted teal and cream tones
A stylised black creature with golden spikes on its head, featuring a skull and floral motifs on its body against a dark background
Figure silhouetted against a window overlooking a stylised cityscape with iconic skyscrapers, rendered in soft pastels and fine linework
Figure in burgundy dress holding mirror under moonlight in circular woodland landscape with earthy tones and green foliage
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