WILD CHILDREN

When the City Meets Nature

What would happen if a city full of children was overtaken by the jungle and its wild animals?

There would be no shortage of fun there.

Art Direction: Emily Coggins
Illustration: Leandro Cunha

This is an illustration for a children's book where I aimed to capture the spontaneity and joy of children connecting with the whimsical setting of a city overtaken by nature.

It's impossible not to believe in such a natural connection between them and the animals in this free and imaginative environment.

PROCESS

From the outset, I wanted to incorporate two key elements into this illustration: New York City as a model for the urban setting, and a diner, or what remains of it, as a focal point within the scene. The lively dynamics of the characters would unfold in both locations.

I illustrated a wide street corner with towering blocks of buildings facing different directions, adding depth to the scene. The lighting is entirely inspired by an expansive horizon, with a sunset on one side while the other is cloaked in the embrace of night.

I loved how this lighting played over the city.