Alex Vs Axel: The Impossible Quest

ALEX VS AXEL by best-selling author, Sam Copeland, showcases Dotty’s creative versatility from the stunning cover and lettering right through to the interiors which include a fabulous fantasy map.

We are so proud that Alex Vs Axel: The Impossible Quest is also Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month for May!

Alex is a normal, everyday boy living a normal, everyday city. Axel is a monster-slaying hero, living in a world of magic. Unfortunately, when the two boys mysteriously swap worlds, each of them ends up being mistaken for the other.

Alex has zero experience of heroism, he can’t even climb the rope in a gym but he is thrust into an epic quest to defeat the evil Felonius Gloam who has stolen the Book of Lifetales and is using it to unravel the very fabric of the world of Aérth.  Axel would love to be saving the world… but instead he has to win a chess tournament (when he doesn’t even know how to play) AND pass a maths test!

Can the two boys complete their Impossible Quests and fine a way back to their own lives? Dotty Sutton’s characters leap off the page using dramatic lighting to full effect. This book is a wonderfully funny adventure about family, friendship and finding your inner confidence and strength and shows the reader that heroes come in many forms.

Dotty Sutton is represented by Arena Illustration.

Mary Atwood’s delicious designs for Harrods

Bright artist Mary Atwood’s illustrations are front and centre for Harrod’s sumptuous Easter range.

Adorning the packaging of the tantalising treats, Mary’s delicate designs give us a floral and spring-inspired way to celebrate Easter.

You can see more of Mary’s work in her portfolio here:

https://thebrightagency.com/uk/licensing/artists/mary-atwood

Lucy Rose Creates Fantastical Scene for Don Papa Rum

Commissioned by Stranger and Stranger, Lucy Rose has illustrated a limited-edition canister for Don Papa Rum of Sugarlandia, the jungle that the brand world exists in.

Creating two colourways, with one used for Don Papa Rum and the other for Don Papa Baroko, Lucy’s work features an array of resplendent wildlife and magical creatures to get lost in.

Lucy Rose is represented by The Artworks

Lumps Goes to Ibiza with elrow

Phosphor's Lumps (aka Sam Drew) is excited to be collaborating with elrow on their 2024 summer season at Amnesia in Ibiza. Sam - a big music lover - described the commission as a "dream project" and it's true, he is the perfect man for the job.

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Ing Lee: Lush Knot Wrap

A knot-wrap for cosmetic company Lush is designed by Ing Lee to honour White Day.

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Matthew Woodson – Ford Mustang / Zero To 60

Matthew Woodson was commissioned by Ford to create a limited print to celebrate the 60th Birthday of their classic Mustang car. Sixty of the prints were created and offered as prizes to owners.

More of Matthew’s work can be viewed at https://www.debutart.com/artist/matthew-woodson

MARIE-ALICE HAREL – BRITANNIA COIN DESIGN

The Royal Mint commissioned a modern interpretation of the icon, Britannia to celebrate the unwavering symbol of strength and resilience. 

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FRANCES CASTLE – MOVIE POSTERS

The Heart Shopping Centre in Walton-on-Thames celebrates the history of film with these eye-catching walkway banners. 

The retail centre was once the site of a pioneering British film studio which released the first film adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and where eminent film figures such as Douglas Fairbank Jr., Bette Davis and Rock Hudson filmed.

Each movie banner had to be instantly recognisable and colourful to celebrate the history of the site’s past and Frances Castle certainly came up with the goods by creating these very bold illustrations depicting 12 iconic films from the 1930’s through to the 2010’s.

Frances Castle is represented by Arena Illustration.

Débora Islas for Rolling Stone Magazine

An alluring portrait illustration from the hands of Débora Islas is commissioned by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Featured in the Rolling Stone reviews section, Débora's seductive and beautifully crafted artwork is of Colombian-American singer-songwriter Kali Uchis.

The magazine reviews the musician's new Latino album, one which is entirely in Spanish and is inspired by the timeless, mysterious, mystical, striking, graceful and sensual allure of the orchid.

Débora Islas is represented by IllustrationX

Katharine Asher for The Radio Times

Katharine Asher is honoured to illustrate an iconic fashion 'look' on the cover of Radio Times.

"This is the job of my dreams", says Katharine, tasked with creating an illustration of the 1947 'New Look,' and employing the bold black and white lines characteristic of the renowned illustrator René Gruau.

The assignment required exploring both retro and contemporary approaches to Dior's classic design, which involved initial sketches, and additionally, the exciting opportunity to craft the title text in a freehand brush and ink style.

Katharine explains, "As a creative team we went from initial  sketches to finished cover in just two days, the speed of decisions and response was exhilarating and the result quite dynamic - as was the collaborative intention. This Radio Times cover was created to publicise the historical story behind fashion's fiercest rivalry, between Dior and Chanel - a story of corsets, couture and Nazi collaborations. When Christian Dior shocked the world with his New Look collection, of which this look is considered the most iconic, he was expressing a desire for beauty and extravagance after the horror of war. A new drama on Apple TV this week tells the story of Dior as seen through the prism of wartime Paris and Dior's rivalry with Coco Chanel."

Katharine received some affirming comments from the art director -

'I just wanted to say thank you so much for such a fantastic illustrated cover, it really did knock the socks off not just me but everyone who saw it , the editors were really wowed by all you did, the images were beautifully drawn with loads of poses and attitude  – the final image is really impactful, and your additional typography only added to it.' Jacob Howard - Radio Times.

Katherine Asher is represented by IllustrationX