Nature is a beautiful and restorative source of inspiration in my work. I am fascinated by ways of seeing and often reflect on the words of Irish poet and philosopher, John O’Donohue; “when you really gaze at something, you bring it inside of you”.

Drawing from life is a fundamental part of my practice. I enjoy the challenge of capturing continuously changing light that informs the atmosphere of a place, as well as discovering the various ways a sense of movement and colour convey a feeling.

I work with tactile and expressive materials, such as soft pastels and charcoal, to capture a painterly impression of light and feeling.

About

Sally is an award winning illustrator and designer based in Ireland. She draws and paints scenes, figures and landscapes with a veneration for light, colour and vivid sense of atmosphere. Whether her artwork takes the form of published illustrations or a series of paintings, Sally continues to meditate on the ways her artwork can convey a sense of tranquillity, vibrancy, and invite viewers into a space of quiet, reflective wonder.

In 2020, Sally graduated with an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art. She began her professional career as an illustrator by winning the Student of the Year V&A Illustration Awards 2020 as well as being shortlisted for the Sebastian Walker Prize. Artwork from her winning entry was featured on the cover of Alexander Bett’s book “The Wealth of Refugees: How Displaced People Can Build Economies”. Sally has since worked on a number of high-profile commissions with The Folio Society, including the limited edition of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (2026). Her cover for Crooked House by Agatha Christie was shortlisted for the 2022 V&A Illustration Awards and shortlisted for the best Series/Brand Identity in the British Book Design and Production Awards 2024. She was also listed as one of the “21 Artists to Watch” by the Artists & Illustrator’s Magazine.

This year, Sally collabrated with artist JJerom87 to create the cover for his new solo album The Canyon.

Sally’s work has been featured in several academic books about Illustration, including “Children’s Picturebooks: The art of visual storytelling” by Martin Salisbury and Morag Styles (Second edition, Laurence King Publishing, 2020). Her sketchbooks also featured in Salisbury’s recent book “Drawing for Illustration” in a section titled “Sally Dunne: sketchbooks and me” (Thames and Hudson, 2022) as well as Professional Illustration: Getting Clients by Derek Brazell and Jo Davies (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2024). She has also exhibited artwork at the V&A Gallery, The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists and The Pastel Society. Sally is also a member of Illustrators Ireland.

Contact

To get in touch or reach out for commissions, please send an email to sallyillustrates@gmail.com

Publications

This Folio Life: The pastels and poisons within Agatha Christie

The Arts Shelf Interview – Sally Dunne [Crooked House] [The Folio Society]

V&A Illustration Awards – In Conversation with Sally Dunne, Student Illustrator of the Year 2020

Stephen Fry on the enduring appeal of Georgette Heyer; the Folio Society publishes a new edition of Venetia.

EDUCATION

MA Children’s Book Illustration 2020 | Distinction | Cambridge School of Art

BA Illustration 2014 | First-class Honours | Cambridge School of Art