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InspirationIllustration

Arcane: Illustrations that pay homage to medieval drawings by Joshua Bale

In his intricately detailed series Arcane, UK-based illustrator and designer Joshua Bale created a range of illustrations heavily influenced by medieval drawings and art, as well as more contemporary sources. Think the mysterious Big Foot hiding in the forest where knights in shining armour share a forbidden kiss with their princess.

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Dark brown woolly rhinoceros with curved horn standing in a turquoise landscape with jagged mountains under pale sky, rendered in detailed medieval-inspired illustration style

A graduate of The Arts University Bournemouth, Bale is staging an exhibition of these works from the 9th January until 8th February 2016, at Fort Regent in Jersey. You can discover more of his work on his website. And for your viewing pleasure, I've thrown in a few more examples of his recent work – including one of a lonely wandering soul trekking along an ancient path to some isolated outpost in Tibet. Beautiful.

Two reddish-brown figures with bearded faces stand together among tall grey trees in this medieval-influenced illustration from Joshua Bale's Arcane series
Figure in a red patterned coat standing in a snowy field of stubble, illustrated in the style of medieval art by Joshua Bale
Armoured knight holding hands with a woman with long red hair in a dark forest, with mysterious black-eyed creatures watching from between the trees
Bird-headed figure in medieval clothing standing on a rock, dangling a pocket watch on a chain above water with plants and a skull below
A man in blue overalls and a wide-brimmed hat holds a three-pronged fork whilst standing in a barren landscape under a blue sky
A figure in an orange robe walks towards a castle perched on rocky cliffs, with birds flying overhead in a blue sky, in Joshua Bale's medieval-inspired illustration
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