Infinity

Crop from "Infinity– LHC" illustration for April issue of BBC Focus

Robbie Bennie, Deputy Art Editor on BBC Focus, commissioned me to illustrate a feature based around the concept of "Infinity". As per usual, it's always so much fun working with the guys at Focus and I had a blast drawing mad scientists, planets and apes! Sadly, not all in the same image...

Robbie sent me the draft spreads for the feature. For the illustrations he'd created very rough photomontages that I then worked from to create the final illustrations. For me, the advantage of this way of working is I know where all the text will be and can compose the images accordingly.

The first image was based on the German mathematician George Cantor who discovered "Absolute Infinity... This number is so vast that it is literally indescribable: indeed, its definition is based on the idea that any attempt to describe it always describes something smaller. Not surprisingly, Cantor’s discoveries sparked huge controversy, and he found himself attacked by fellow mathematicians – and even some theologians, who accused him of encroaching on the concept of God. The criticism plunged Cantor into depression and led to frequent spells in asylums."

Rough sketch and linework created in Manga Studio

Final artwork, linework coloured in Photoshop.

"How infinity can turn a chimp into a genius – Imagine sitting Bubbles the chimp in front of a standard computer keyboard, which has around 100 keys. How long would it take for Bubbles to bash out the famous phrase “To be or not to be”? Assuming he hits the keys at random, there’s just a 1 in 100 chance of getting the first letter right, 1 in 100 of the second and so on. Even typing at the rate of a keystroke per second, getting just this bit of Hamlet right would typically take Bubbles far longer than the age of the Universe."

Rough sketch and linework created in Manga Studio

Final artwork, linework coloured in Photoshop.

"The Multiverse – Do we live in an infinite universe – or universes? The basic argument comes in various guises, but they all start by assuming that our Universe is just finite in extent, so that somewhere out there lies the edge of space itself. But an edge only makes sense if it marks the boundary with something else, and as the Universe includes everything by definition, the ‘something’ must also be part of the Universe."

Rough sketch and linework created in Manga Studio

Final artwork, linework coloured in Photoshop.

Rough sketch and linework created in Manga Studio

Final artwork, linework coloured in Photoshop.

Get a copy to read the rest of the article and have a great week!

Jungle Stampede

Jungle Stampede, lineart in Manga Studio, colour in Photoshop

In between other projects I've been creating some concept art pinups to boost my portfolio in that direction. I've done some concept work in the past and really enjoyed it, so I would welcome the chance to do more work in the field. If you are interested on hiring me on a project (of any kind), I'm always keen to fit you in so please get in touch through the site.

Jungle Stampede, lineart in Manga Studio

Have a great week!

Ling Magazine "Lisbon"

"Lisbon" illustration for "Ling" Magazine. Artwork created in Manga Studio.

The above illustration is for Ling Magazine, the in-flight magazine of Vueling. They have a one page feature in every issue offering 10 ideas for things to do in one of their destination cities written by a local. This one is for Lisbon.

I can't post any process images because I went straight into the final artwork, working on each element and balancing the colour and line style as I went. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed producing something much more colourful and playful than the darker stuff I've been doing lately.

Have a great week!