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InspirationIllustration

A hilarious and sinister look at the work of Brighton-based illustrator Tim McDonagh

Here at CB, we’re acutely aware of just how compelling illustration and design can be. We blummin’ love it. But even we are still surprised at the lengths some people go to to demonstrate a similar level of passion for visual culture; like the bloke who loved Tim McDonagh’s illustration so much he got it tattooed all over him.

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Man in olive jacket standing in front of Brighton seafront steps with red arrow pointing to a small figure visible on the upper level of the structure

McDonagh’s beautiful work does lend itself very well to tattooing: his intricate linework captures faces, expressions and movements brilliantly. His colour palette and subject matter hark back to vintage comic and gig poster styles, and remarkably, everything he does is hand drawn.

In a new promo video for McDonagh’s agency, Handsome Frank, London-based creative agency Pal decided to take his knack for narrative, and the tale of his obsessive fan, as the starting point for a (fictional) noir-esque film. Set in the illustrator’s home town of Brighton, the documentary seems fairly normal at first glance, but it turns out there was a distinctive figure lurking in the back of each shot….

All in all, the short is a charming and hilarious tale of fandom, art, and why “creepy” needn’t always be bad. Possibly.

A Little Film About... Tim McDonagh from Handsome Frank on Vimeo.

Tim McDonagh holds up one of his intricate hand-drawn illustrations in a Brighton town square while other figures walk past in the background
Tim McDonagh holds up a hand-drawn illustration featuring intricate black linework while standing on Brighton seafront with colourful fishing boats behind him
White car parked on a brick-paved residential street lined with white stucco buildings and topiary in autumn, a figure visible on the left side of the frame
Two men sit on a grey sofa in a living room, one wearing a beige shirt and the other in a pink shirt holding a mug, from Tim McDonagh's promo film
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