It’s crazy what you find when you sort and tidy. You can encounter things from the past that bring back memories and inspire you.

One such ‘sorting’ recently uncovered an illustration I had started when I was 17. At the time I was heavily into dance music – some of the UK’s youth were gripped by Rave music. I was one of those! I had flyers, plastered all over my bedroom walls and would create new artwork and drawings based on them. 

I had just started college and had been researching for an illustration project. I had found a German illustrator that created surreal worlds with plastic-looking creatures. I thought the style was amazing. I have looked since, but unfortunately, I can’t remember the name.

This led to an illustration of my own, heavily influenced by that style. It was kinda trippy and surreal. It lay unfinished and without colour for quite a while. Then I was asked to work up a party/rave flyer for a local record shop. I used the illustration and added colour.

So, I decided to recreate that illustration and work it up in 3D. I modelled and set the creatures and their environment using Adobe Illustrator and Dimensions. I treated it like a stage set, layering the background for depth and then framed it all. I have embellished the new illustration with a few new elements and removed some that weren’t really working.


The biggest takeaway from this – is the satisfaction and joy of making this. Having the chance to recreate something from my youth and having a little bit of fun!