Carmen Saldaña

Carmen Saldaña is a Spanish illustrator who lives in rainy Gijón. After studying Fine Arts, she began her career as a graphic designer in advertising agencies. Over time, she shifted away from commercial design and became a freelance illustrator, focusing on the field she likes most: illustrating children’s books.

She is best known for her warm, nature-inspired artwork in children’s publishing. She loves furry animals, birds, insects, leaves, and everything related to nature, which is her main source of inspiration. Her style is strongly inspired by nature. She frequently draws animals (especially small, expressive mammals, birds, insects, plants, leaves, and forest environments and gentle, organic landscapes.

A key characteristic of her style is the combination of softness and detail. Her illustrations often feel calm and story-like, with a slightly whimsical, hand-crafted quality that fits well in picture books for children. Nature is not just a theme in her work but also the main source of inspiration, shaping both her subjects and her colour palettes.