This original mixed media painting, titled 'Rooftop Crows,' was created by Olivia Lomenech Gill, the renowned illustrator of J.K. Rowling’s 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.' This specific work is featured in the award-winning book 'Clever Crow,' for which Gill received the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Illustration.
Original Endpaper Illustration for the Book Clever Crow
This original artwork fine art painting by Olivia Lomenech Gill juxtaposes urban architecture with the lively and playful nature of crows. Set on a snow-covered rooftop slope, the piece captures a moment of activity and interaction among the birds. The strong diagonals of the rooftop and the repeated patterns of chimney stacks create a rhythm that contrasts with the dynamic movement of the crows and their scattered footprints in the snow.
The snowy white foreground dominates the composition, emphasizing the starkness of winter and offering a clean stage for the black crows, whose dark forms stand out sharply. This high-contrast palette draws attention to the birds' behavior—sliding, standing, and flying—hinting at a sense of curiosity and playfulness. The details of their footprints add a sense of narrative, showing the marks left by their activity.
The urban background, with its muted tones and orderly chimney stacks, provides a sense of stillness and structure, which contrasts with the fluidity and spontaneity of the crows' movement. The cold, gray sky further enhances the wintry mood and underscores the resilience of these birds in such environments.
Overall, this original artwork fine art painting celebrates the adaptability of wildlife in urban spaces, portraying the crows as both observers and participants in the human world, thriving amid its constraints. Gill's layered textures and use of mixed media create a sense of depth and atmosphere, inviting viewers to observe the beauty and vitality of nature in unexpected places.
'Rooftop Crows' – Original Illustration by Carnegie Winner Olivia Lomenech Gill
Original Page Illustration
By Olivia Lomenech Gill for the book Clever Crow.- Medium: Collage, gouache & gesso on card.
- Dimensions (Unframed):
- Metric: 51 cm x 74 cm
- Imperial: 20.07 in x 29.13 in
- Framing: The frame can be purchased on demand for an additional price of 300€.
