Delightful Posters Illustrate the Beautiful Diversity of the Animal Kingdom

Animal Illustrations Animal Orders Kelsey Oseid

In her delightful series of animal illustrations, artist Kelsey Oseid explores and presents the amazing diversity of the earth's living things. Arranged by group and drawn by hand, Oseid's illustrated critters double as scientific studies and whimsical works of art.

Each illustration exhibits the creatures that compose different animal groups. While most are organized by order—a class that includes well-known labels like Primates, Carnivora, and Rodentia—some pieces are also arranged according to other groups, like Infraorder, Class, and Infraclass. Regardless of group, however, each poster follows the same format: a biologically-related (albeit often curiously eclectic) collection of animals is beautifully illustrated and helpfully labeled.

Though her pieces are undeniably rooted in science, Oseid approaches them in an artistic way. To evoke a “playful, folksy, vintage-inspired” aesthetic, she works with traditional mediums, like gouache and watercolor. Using these materials, she is able to impressively achieve the matte appearance, understated colors, and painterly brushstrokes characteristic of the classic flora and fauna depictions that inspire her.

You can find all of Oseid's lovely animal illustrations on Etsy.

In a series of posters, artist Kelsey Oseid presents the diversity of different animal groups. Most of her animal illustrations organize creatures according to order.

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Similarly, some are arranged according to other animal groups, like infraorder, class, and infraclass.

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Animal Illustrations Animal Groups Kelsey Oseid

Kelsey Oseid: Website | Instagram | TwitterEtsy
h/t: [So Super Awesome]

All images via Kelsey Oseid.

Related Articles:

Playful Illustrations Reveal the Quirky and Real Group Names of Animals

Photographer Captures the Colors of Nature to Create ‘Encyclopedia of Rainbows’

Beautiful Floral Anatomy Illustrations Give New Life to Discarded Pages of Old Books

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content