DNA

This was a really good commission from Oxford Today magazine.
Ostensibly about DNA and the consequences of it's discovery, it was to include Darwin as a main feature along with the DNA double helix. I've not done any work like this for a while, and it's brilliant to get a commission for such an esteemed publication, read by suitably intelligent illumni.
I relished working on it, I am interested in these subjects that require proper thought, and I wanted to include enough metaphors and elements to appeal to intellectuals reading the magazine. Darwin is opening the door to the double helix, with a key that also unlocks the keyhole in his brain. He is followed by the monkey Darwin who follows him everywhere he goes. The brain of the monkey is the double helix coin from 2003. The butterflies represent the overload of information escaping. The picture in the top left hand corner is a vintage family tree. Elements such as the Origins of life book cover and inside pages, DNA fingerprints and Darwin's own handwriting appear as ghostly elements. It was like a jigsaw, fitting all the pieces together, but being careful not to overdo it.
I was really pleased with the result and so was the client.

Stop thief!

The brief for this guitar thief illustration was a "typical stumpy character, black eye mask, black and white striped top depicting the thief somehow stealing a guitar" it was to be in the style of "Pink Panther" DePatie-Freleng - and I was looking at 1950's style cartoons generally. I loved hanna-barbera cartoons as a child - so I wanted to evoke that look as well.
I also wanted simplicity, in composition and quality of line to look like it was hand done, so I sent some time in illustrator getting the line work just so for that authentic look.

Lefthanders

I love doing parody designs, and this seems to be my signature style for the Guitarist magazine.
This article was about left handers - and as one myself I wanted to do it justice!
A 1950's advertisement was what was required, which means my usual limited colour (usually red and black) and aged paper. The main type is actually Coca cola, and the smaller type Futura and one called Balloon, which I got for this piece as it suited this design. I loved doing all the little details like the cut away coupon - which adds to it's authenticity.
Job done!