Portfolio
Internationally published illustrator creating nature-inspired artwork with a unique Zen watercolor and ink style, licensed and sold worldwide.
Michelle Dujardin is a Dutch artist and illustrator whose work combines the depth and artistry of fine art with the clarity and versatility of contemporary design. Rooted in the practice of Zen Drawing — a technique she has written books about — her watercolor paintings emerge from mindful observation and a genuine connection with the subject. With a background in psychology and a deep bond with the natural world, she creates works that evoke a sense of calm and connection. Many of her projects involve artwork for small-format applications such as postage stamps, packaging, and card designs — disciplines that demand precision, clear composition, and strong visual impact at reduced scale. This curated portfolio offers a glimpse into her internationally published and licensed works.
Artwork & illustrations
A selection of standalone watercolor and ink illustrations, painted on a white background to emphasize line, color, and movement. These works show my signature Zen-inspired style, capturing the soul of nature in minimal yet expressive strokes. Below is a small glimpse of a collection of over one thousand paintings.
Subjects & Inspiration
My portfolio features a wide range of nature-inspired subjects — from animals, plants, flowers, and trees to landscapes, surf scenes, and ocean waves. The largest part of my work is devoted to birds: from realistic species from around the world to imaginative, fantasy-like hummingbirds. These paintings and illustrations appear on wall art products and are also combined into designs for product collections in collaboration with my licensing partners.
Product & Design Collaborations
Card collections featuring my artwork have been published across the Benelux and Germany. Publisher Bekking & Blitz releases gallery cards and card wallets, Greetz offers a large online greeting card collection, and in Germany my cards are published in collaboration with Give-X. Altogether, more than one million cards featuring my designs have been sold in recent years.
With publisher Bekking & Blitz, I also create card wallets in collaboration with charities such as Vogelbescherming (BirdLife Netherlands), Natuurmonumenten (Dutch Society for Nature Conservation), and Amnesty International. Each wallet contains ten cards with five different designs, and carries the additional logos of these organizations — reflecting shared values of nature conservation, bird protection, and human rights.
Winter Birds – A card wallet released in collaboration with Amnesty International.
Winter Birds – A card wallet created in partnership with Vogelbescherming Nederland (Dutch Society for the Protection of Birds).
Winter Animals – An example of a card wallet released in collaboration with Natuurmonumenten (Netherlands).
Product & Design
In collaboration with Orange Licensing, I have created a wide range of product designs released as greeting card collections, annual calendars and planners, and various gift and stationery items. These designs combine multiple artworks and illustrations, carefully curated into a recognizable style defined by color, lightness, calm, and transparency.
Publications
Author of several books on Zen Drawing and watercolor techniques, published in Dutch and English. Titles include Het Zen tekenboek (2012), Zen drawing pack (2014), Watercolor in Simpele Stappen (2021), and the e-books Zen drawing – A new way to become Mindful and Zen drawing – A new way to become an artist. These publications share my approach to mindful observation, artistic flow and concentration, and feeling connected to nature.
Zen Drawing Pack – Published by Rock Point, an imprint of Quarto Group (English). This creative gift set — including a book, journal, and two pencils — introduces the mindful art of Zen Drawing, combining observation, flow, and creative expression. Sold internationally.
Watercolor in Simpele Stappen – Hardcover, published by Luitingh-Sijthoff in collaboration with Talens Netherlands and parent company Sakura Japan, celebrating Sakura’s 100th anniversary. A step-by-step guide to creating watercolor artworks with ease.
Het Zen tekenboek – Hardcover, first published by Asoka (2012) and later reissued by Edicola (2018). This book introduces the mindful art of Zen Drawing and the practice of seeing with the heart.
Projects
In recent years, I have collaborated with Orange Licensing on several postage stamp projects. In 2018, PostNL released two series — Garden Birds of the Netherlands (Tuinvogels in Nederland) and Birds of the Netherlands (Vogels in Nederland, the latter nominated for the prestigious EUROPA Stamp competition. That same year, FXDC Post issued three tropical-themed stamp sheets for the Caribbean Netherlands. From 2019 to 2023, PostNL annually released four seasonal sets under the theme Experience Nature (Beleef de natuur), each consisting of three stamps with matching greeting cards.
Packaging
My artwork has been featured on product packaging for select boutique brands. For Wildlife Coffee Company in Maine, I created six coffee labels inspired by the state’s wild landscapes and native wildlife, giving the brand a distinctive and beloved identity. In collaboration with La Tulipe Jaune, importer of French goods, my illustrations appear on soap boxes, lavender sachets, and candles — bringing a touch of nature and lightness to everyday products.
Publications
Publications include my books Het Zen tekenboek (Asoka, 2012; Edicola, 2018), Zen Drawing Pack (Rock Point / Quarto Group, gift set with book, journal, and pencils), and Watercolor in Simpele Stappen (Luitingh-Sijthoff, in collaboration with Talens Netherlands and Sakura Japan). My work has also been featured in magazines such as Guideposts Magazine and Collect Magazine by PostNL, as well as various international art and lifestyle publications
Thank you for exploring my portfolio.
I welcome opportunities for new collaborations, licensing projects, and commissioned artwork.
Discover more about my work and creative process: Partnering with Michelle · Drawing with Michelle · Books · Contact
