As a lifelong fan of Jules Verne’s classic novel “20000 Leagues Under the Sea,” I was excited to have the opportunity to illustrate the story as a print. I made this for the “Beasts And Books” joint exhibition with my friend and fellow illustrator Olivia Golden.
It was a great experience to create sketches and a single final visual that brought this vivid undersea world to life. From the sea monsters and giant squid of Captain Nemo’s Nautilus to the exotic coral reefs and strange creatures of the depths, I wanted to show Verne’s world in all its beauty and mystery, in a fun way.
Captain Nemo appears in the Nautilus at the centre of the piece with a giant octopus attacking it. In the book, it’s a giant squid, but I thought a cute red octopus would also fit the bill. A giant Vampire Squid appears to the left of the Nautilus.
At the bottom right of the image, I’ve drawn Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land.
As a children’s book illustrator, I am constantly inspired by the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it. In this particular illustration of “20000 Leagues Under The Sea”, I was especially excited to bring the unique and fascinating underwater animals of Jules Verne’s classic tale to life.
In addition to the giant squid and octopus, I also had the pleasure of illustrating several other underwater animals. I wanted to create a sense of balance and contrast in the image, so I made sure to include little creatures along with the larger undersea creatures to balance out the tension of the squid and the crew fighting for their lives.
Each creature has its own unique character and personality, and I hope that my illustration does them justice and creates a fun overview of the story.
The Story Of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea (In a nutshell)
“Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” is a classic adventure novel written by the French author Jules Verne. First published in 1870, the novel tells the story of a group of men who embark on a dangerous and thrilling journey aboard the submarine Nautilus, which is captained by the mysterious and enigmatic Captain Nemo.
The story begins when a French professor named Pierre Aronnax, his assistant Conseil, and a harpooner named Ned Land set out on a mission to track down a sea monster that has been terrorizing ships across the world. They soon encounter the monster but quickly realize that it is not a sea creature at all, but a highly advanced submarine.
The three men are taken aboard the Nautilus, where they meet Captain Nemo, a brilliant but troubled man who has turned his back on civilization and society. As they travel with the captain beneath the waves, they experience a world that few humans have ever seen, full of stunning marine life, ancient shipwrecks and stunning vistas.
However, as they become more and more involved in Captain Nemo’s world, they begin to realize that the captain’s motivations and actions are not as noble as they first assumed. This creates a sense of conflict and tension as the three men are torn between their loyalty to the captain and their desire to return to their own lives and societies.
In the end, the men are able to escape the Nautilus and return to civilization, but not before experiencing an unforgettable journey that challenges their ideas about science, nature, and the world around them.
