Illustrating Nature: Interview with  

Jurassic Artist Vincent Dutrait

We've recently returned from GenCon, where we had our most successful show ever! Nature was the most anticipated game at GenCon 2025, and we celebrated a sell-out show. To continue the celebration, we're sharing interviews with Nature's amazing artists.

Nature and Module 1: Jurassic are now available to buy

Creating mechanics that mimic real-world evolutionary systems is just one step in bringing the theme to life. Nature also captures the beauty of the natural world through gorgeous and realistic artwork. Working with artists who take this mission seriously was crucial for a series famed for its strong thematic links grounded in biological science.

In the Nature: Jurassic module, size is power, and colossal dinosaurs roam the land. When capturing these iconic creatures, the team had one artist in mind: Vincent Dutrait. Vincent is one of the most well-loved artists in the industry. You may have seen his work on games such as Heat, Robinson Crusoe, Broom Service, and Lost Cities, among others. We sat down with Vincent to learn more about his process and work on Nature: Jurassic. Enjoy!

Hi Vincent! You've illustrated some iconic creatures in Nature. What do you love about illustrating the natural world?

I've always loved nature, having grown up along the Durance river in the south of France, spending my days there among kingfishers, herons, and beavers. In my illustrations, I pay particular attention to elements like water, wind, and temperature, giving depth through a sky full of clouds, and using color play to surprise or even unsettle the viewer.

Also, you can’t cheat with nature; plants and animals are so well-documented with countless photos and references. Much more complex than we think... Lastly, I’m endlessly fascinated by the patterns, shapes, and designs created by nature. In every nature-themed illustration, my first intent is to honor it—to show deep respect and endless admiration!

What was your process for creating the art of Nature?

I still work in what's considered a traditional way, using pencils, markers, paints, and brushes on paper. I take a very thorough and well-documented approach, close to docu-fiction. In fact, my research and reference phases can sometimes take longer than the illustration process itself! That’s because I strive to be as accurate and precise as possible.

For the Jurassic expansion, for example, we tend to think we know dinosaurs well and can represent them easily, but there are actually multiple interpretations and theories. Take Velociraptors: do you depict them with or without feathers? Are they more like large birds or reptiles? The popular image shaped by films like Jurassic Park was based on the scientific knowledge of the time, which has since evolved.

What inspired your Nature Jurassic box cover artwork?

The goal is to be immersive and to use the illustration—especially the cover art—as a window into these worlds. To place the viewer at the heart of the scene, whether contemplative or action-packed. I aim for highly readable, accessible, and impactful scenes. Often, I use a clear three-layer structure: a foreground that frames the scene and invites the viewer in, a central subject engaged in an action, and a background with supporting elements to enrich the message. It’s not just about creating a "beautiful picture" or being purely descriptive. The goal is to convey and share emotion through colors, contrasts, and even the expressions of the species.

How did you bring a feeling of life to the species in your Nature art?

When I illustrate a game with a nature theme, I always think of "Mother Nature". I aim to portray animals and plants in all their splendor, like in National Geographic or Planet Earth documentaries. I want to create something timeless, foundational, and essential. For each species, I try to capture what defines it best, highlight its essence, and embed it naturally in its environment—so viewers can grasp its size, scale, and interaction with the world around it. Like the poison dart frog from the Amazon Rainforest module, still, alert, with striking colors. It’s always a real challenge!

Worlds to Explore

Nature is a modular game system that allows you to create and explore a unique ecosystem each time you play. Play Nature without modules, or add and combine modules to create over 20 unique ecosystems! Nature, Flight, and Jurassic are available now with more modules to follow!