Weitong Mai
A New Voice in the Wizarding World
Weitong Mai, a Chinese-Canadian illustrator based in London, brought a distinctive, culturally rich visual voice to the wizarding world through her work on The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac, the first official magical companion to J.K. Rowling's beloved book series. One of seven artists selected from around the world, Mai was tasked with bringing to life an enchanting miscellany of wizarding knowledge, from magical plants to wand lore, while integrating her own artistic heritage and unique aesthetic.
Born in China in 1995 and later relocating to Canada, Mai grew up immersed in both Eastern and Western cultures. She developed a love of drawing in her childhood and pursued her passion at the Camberwell College of Arts, where she earned a BA in Illustration in 2017. Though she initially doubted illustration could become her career, steady commissions during her college years gradually solidified her belief in her chosen path. When Bloomsbury reached out in 2021 for a trial to join the Almanac project, it marked a turning point. Six months later, Mai received the life-changing news: she was officially part of the Harry Potter team.
East Meets West: The Cultural Aesthetic
Mai’s contribution to the Almanac stands out not only for her skill but for the way she wove Chinese artistic principles into the magical world. Her work is steeped in the philosophy of "leaving a blank"—a traditional concept in Chinese art that prioritizes negative space to direct the viewer’s attention and evoke contemplation. Rather than crowding her pages, Mai used strategic openness to balance the dense magical content and keep compositions elegant and accessible.
She consciously avoided stereotypical representations of Chinese culture. Instead of relying on dragons and clouds, she opted to express deeper values and emotions through line, shape, and color. Her treatment of magical phenomena—wand magic, smoke, and glowing lights—reflects this approach, emphasizing fluidity, softness, and mystery.
Illustrating the Wizarding Almanac
Illustrating the Almanac was a monumental task. Mai began painting in early 2022 and worked for a year and a half to complete her spreads. Each double-page layout required careful thought and detailed research. The information density of the book challenged her to balance visual storytelling with legibility.
Among her many illustrations, the Herbology spread stands out. It features a variety of magical plants such as Mandrakes, Puffapods, and Devil’s Snare, rendered in vivid greens and purples. A tiny Bowtruckle can be seen lurking in a corner, guarding the foliage—a perfect nod to fans. Mai named this spread as her favorite, delighting in the opportunity to capture the strange beauty and whimsical danger of the wizarding flora.
Another highlight is her work on Ollivanders, the wand shop. Mai painstakingly designed each wand individually, ensuring each matched the personality of its wizard. These were first drawn separately and approved before being compiled into the now-iconic wand wheel. Her illustration includes wand boxes, measuring tapes, and the intimate atmosphere of the shop, capturing its mystery and charm.
Personal Connection and Journey
For Mai, the Harry Potter series holds a deeply personal significance. She first encountered the books at age 14 after immigrating to Vancouver. As a non-native English speaker, the series helped her learn the language and feel more at home in a new country. It gave her comfort during difficult times and inspired her creatively.
It’s fitting, then, that years later she would be chosen to reinterpret this world for new and longtime fans alike. Her illustrations don’t just depict the magical universe—they offer a fresh, introspective lens through which readers can experience it anew.
Artistic Philosophy and Technique
Mai’s painting style leans toward abstraction. She is especially adept at rendering atmospheric elements—mist, magical auras, and light—which add a dreamlike quality to her work. Her colors are soft and rich, often muted in tone, drawing viewers into a contemplative space. She believes in expressing the inner essence of a subject rather than its outward form, a hallmark of traditional Chinese art.
While her illustrations may seem effortless, each is the result of painstaking attention to detail. Mai balances modern illustration techniques with the cultural legacy of Chinese art, preferring to focus on the emotional and symbolic content of an image rather than mere realism.
Recognition and Impact
The Wizarding Almanac offered Mai not just a creative challenge but a platform for recognition. A guest lecturer at the University for the Creative Arts and a multiple award-winning illustrator, Mai’s career continues to blossom. The Almanac brought her work to a global audience, and fans around the world now admire her poetic interpretations of the Harry Potter universe.
Her favorite character? Dobby. She admires his kindness, courage, and loyalty—qualities she sees as essential in both fiction and life.
A Lasting Contribution
Weitong Mai’s work in The Harry Potter Wizarding Almanac exemplifies what it means to blend cultural heritage with contemporary storytelling. Her elegant, minimalist, and emotionally resonant illustrations provide a new visual entryway into the magical world—one that honors the complexity of both the books and the global community of readers who cherish them. Her pages remind us that sometimes, less is more, and that the spaces left blank are just as magical as those filled with detail.