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Biography Interview
Nathalie Dion is an illustrator based in Montreal. Her refined style and humoristic touch seduce art directors and fans around the world. Nathalie’s technique uses a mix of real gouache and watercolour scanned and then cut and paste in Photoshop. She also uses digital brushes but even though they are amazing they are not quite like the real ones that she still prefers. Nathalie is an acclaimed children’s book and editorial illustrator. She received a Governor General’s Award nominee for her work in The Big Bad Wolf in my House and has won many international awards for her editorial illustrations. Nathalie studied Design Art at Concordia University and has been working as an illustrator for more than twenty years and has been represented by Anna Goodson illustration for almost as long.
Selected clients
Chronicle Books, Random House Publishing Group, Simon & Schuster, Éditions Hurtubise, Bayard Canada, Working Mother, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger, Coup de Pouce, Parents, Santé Inc., Redbook, Parents, Health, Best Health, Family Circle, HGTV magazines.
Read moreAwards
- 2023- Golden Kite Award 2023, SCBWI for Kumo the bashful cloud written by Kyo Maclear, Tundra Books
- 2022- Merit award, 3 X 3 International Illustration Annual no.19 pour I caught a rainbow written by Danielle Chaperon, Milky Way Picture Books
- 2022- Merit award, 3 X 3 International Illustration Annual no.19 for Kumo the bashful cloud written by Kyo Maclear, Tundra Books
- 2022- Prix Illustration Jeunesse /Salon du livre de Trois-Rivières, Les baleines et nous, India Desjardins, Éditions de la bagnole
- 2022- Prix des libraires du Québec -L’ébouriffée, Éditions de la bagnole (Finaliste)
- 2021- Prix Espiègle 2021 -Le Grand Méchant Loup dans ma Maison, Valérie Fontaine, Éditions les 400 coups
- 2021- Prix Littéraire du Gouverneur Général -Le Grand Méchant Loup dans ma Maison, Valérie Fontaine, Éditions les 400 coups (Finaliste)
- 2021- Prix Harry Black -Le Grand Méchant Loup dans ma Maison, Valérie Fontaine, Éditions les 400 coups (Finaliste)
- 2021- The Elizabeth Cleaver-Mrazik Canadian Picture Book award, Le Grand Méchant Loup dans ma Maison, Éditions les 400 coups (shortlisted)
- 2021- Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal -Le Grand Méchant Loup dans ma Maison, Valérie Fontaine, Éditions les 400 coups (Finaliste)
- Communication Arts Illustration Annual 2021
- 3 X 3 International llustration Annual 2020
- American Illustration 2020
- Communication Arts Illustration Annual 2020
- Communication Arts Illustration Annual 2019
- Illustration Annual 2019
- 3X3 Illustration Annual 2018
- Communication Arts Illustration Annual 2017
- Applied Arts Illustration Annual 2017
Nathalie Dion in the Spotlight
Nathalie Dion
Illustrating the future
We work with the world's most brilliant and visionary creatives to bring the boldest concepts to life.
Your pronouns
She/Her
Where is home?
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Describe your illustration style in one sentence
Free-spirited, narrative with a sense of humour and a retro yet modern touch.
What lights your soul on fire?
Paintings
What themes do you enjoy exploring in your illustrations?
Whatever the theme is, I always enjoy inducing emotions and a story to an illustration.
What techniques do you use?
Gouache and water-colour digitalized, cut and paste in Photoshop.
How much of yourself and your own story can we see in your work?
I think my illustrations mostly express my tender side.
What do you want to be known for?
Having illustrated a story that touched one kid enough for him/her to remember it when he/she becomes an adult.
Which projects excite you most?
Definitely, children’s picture books.
What is your dream gig?
Surprise me!
Where, when and how do you best create?
In the fall, on a rainy day.
How has your style evolved since you started?
It’s more painterly. (digitally 🙂
hat do you find most challenging in your practice or in the illustration industry?
Everything besides drawing; social medias, promotion, interviews, etc.
Name a tool you can’t live without!
Photoshop
Tell us about a project you worked on that was meaningful to you as an artist.
The Big Bad Wolf in my House, a picture book about domestic violence written by Valérie Fontaine.
What influences or inspires your art?
Often people/animals around me appear in my work.
What would you tell your younger self?
Believe in yourself a little more… (I could actually tell that to my oldest self as well.)
Why do you think art speaks louder than words?
Does it? They go beautifully together, though.