Bianca Gschlecht freelance illustrator

Jane Austen

Illustrations for a special edition of “Pride & Prejudice“ and the “Jane Austen’s House” museum, including illustrations for the book cover and inner pages, illustrated landscapes, houses, exhibition items, a map,

the Briefing

Create illustrations for the book cover and inner pages, that take the reader into Jane Austen’s world and show themes like intimacy, suspense and longing.

mockup of illustrated cover

Sketch 1 & 2

colour rough

The book cover

I created two sketches for the cover, as well as a colour rough, then turned the second sketch into the cover illustration with custom handlettering, as shown here.

Sketch 1: nature

showing a scene in nature — a lake, wildflowers, softly shaped hills, horses and a small bird. I took inspiration from the BBC mini-series from 1995, and Austen’s descriptions of the lush scenery Elizabeth admires while traveling with Mrs. and Mr. Gardiner.

Sketch 2: reaching out for a touch

showing one hand holding a branch of lilac flowers and another reaching out for a touch. My inspiration was Jane Austen’s way of describing intimate moments in her novels. A simple touch of the hand has huge impacts on the characters and scenes and, because there’s rarely any other physical intimacy, gives the readers a sense of longing.

Sketch 3: colour rough

book cover / jacket with custom illustration and handlettering

illustrations for inner pages and museum

To take the reader into Jane Austen’s world, I did research on the places she lived and on exhibitions about her and her work.

I found the “Jane Austen’s House” museum, which not only exhibits some of her belongings, but is actually inside her last home in Chawton, Hampshire.

These illustrations can be used inside the book, e.g. to introduce new chapters, break up the text passages and give visual glimpses into the Regency era and set the mood, as well as for items for the museum’s gift shop and exhibitions.

Illustrations

– Chawton House, the “Jane Austen’s House” museum

– items exhibited at the museum, some were owned by Jane Austen or her family herself (e.g. ring, bookcase ) and others are modeled on items Austen owned (quill, chair, teapot)