Forestology Book Cover - 2 | Hand-Drawn Nature Illustration

Forestology — Illustrated Book Cover

This book cover for Forestology was created to reflect the quiet intelligence, depth, and interconnectedness of forests, while inviting the reader to slow down and look more closely at the natural world.

Concept and Symbolism

The cover uses subtle, repeating tree and woodland patterns layered into the background to suggest how forests are made up of many individual elements working together as one system. Rather than depicting a literal forest scene, I wanted the illustration to feel immersive and contemplative — echoing the way forests operate beneath the surface, through root systems, networks, and cycles of growth.

The design encourages the reader to pause, notice texture and pattern, and experience the forest as something living and intelligent rather than purely decorative.

Hand-Drawn Approach

All elements of the cover were drawn by hand, allowing the lines, textures and forms to retain a natural imperfection. This hand-drawn quality was important to me, as it mirrors the organic, non-uniform nature of forests themselves.

By avoiding overly polished or digital effects, the illustration maintains a sense of authenticity and tactility, reinforcing the book’s themes of observation, connection, and respect for nature.

Colour and Texture

The colour palette was kept restrained and earthy to reflect the calm, grounding presence of woodland environments. Subtle tonal variations and layered textures add depth without overwhelming the composition, allowing the title and imagery to breathe.

Intent

This cover was designed for readers interested in nature writing, ecology, and environmental reflection. The aim was to create a book cover that feels thoughtful, intelligent and quietly engaging — one that communicates the complexity of forests through simplicity and craft.

I also created endpapers for the book with patterns of trees