Hi.

I'm a freelance, commercial illustrator. After graduating from Falmouth I set up my illustration studio in Bristol, UK. I enjoy working as an illustrator on editorial, promotional, advertising, branding and publishing commissions.

My idiosyncratic illustrations are colourful, distinctive, wildly expressive and feature stylised characters. I'm inspired by screen-printing and risograph techniques, colour combinations, jazz and electronic music and visual culture.

Murals.

I’m available for mural design and painting commissions and have delivered several public-realm artworks, including private, commercial, charity and hospital commissions.

I tailor each project according to its purpose and often run community engagement workshops as part of that. I’ve worked with a variety of trades and well used to managing budgets. I've a proven knowledge of working at scale and height, as well as the necessary experience of paint application, time management, appropriate materials for various surfaces and onsite safety. Plus, I’m IPAF trained to operate scissor lifts and cherry pickers.

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Teaching / Industry work / Mentoring.

I provide lectures on illustration and work with a number of illustration courses, providing industry advice, exhibition guidance, tutorials and portfolio reviews.

The Association Of Illustrators (the AOI) hire me as their meet-up coordinator. I also host their Inside Illustration ‘Creative Practice Course’, Illo Grad series and member intro sessions. If you’re an illustrator in Bristol, then you can find me at PIP - Bristol’s AOI illustration meet-up.

I also provide one-to-one and group mentoring for illustrators, on a limited basis. Please drop me an email if this is of interest to you.


 

I’ve worked with

 
 

Commercial

Bulletin magazine
CBeebies
Clarks
Cycling magazine
Kyowon Publishing
New Psychotherapist magazine
The NHS
Nokia
Oxford University Press (via Extra Strong)
Pearson Education
Prospect magazine
Once Upon A Town magazine
Scouting magazine
Starbucks
Time Out London magazine
UNEP (via Hurricane)
Zizzi Restaurants

Charity & Community

Artists In Residence
Better at 20
Bournstream Trust
DIY SOS (BBC / Children In Need)
Exeter Northcott Theatre
Falmouth BID
Falmouth University
NSPCC
Oxfam
Paper Cinema
Platfform (via Clout Branding)
Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme
RSPCA
SCIP
Severnside Community Rail Partnership
St Pauls Adventure Playground
Teenage Cancer Trust (via Willis Newson)

Bristol

Aardman
Alfresco Disco
The Bath Magazine
BIMM
Bristol Children’s Hospital (via Willis Newson)
Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Palestine Film Festival
Bristol Post
Bristol Temple Quarter
The Gallimaufry
Queen & Whippet
Royal West of England Academy (RWA)
Square Works
Theatre Bristol
Tobacco Factory
Upfest
West of England Combined Authority

 

 

Testimonials

Dave is driven and professional, the design process felt smooth and collaborative. He showed flexibility and keen sense of problem solving for those on-site complexities.
— Julia Janosa / Senior Concept Designer @ Starbucks
Incorporating the children’s designs, the school’s values and colour palette preferences was a huge task, however Dave managed to include all the above and kept his signature style whilst being considerate to the children’s input.
— Karen and Alice / Founders @ Let's Make Art
Dave is one of the most geniune and trustworthy people I have ever met. He takes great pride in every project he is involved with, and his passion and talent is evident in every piece of illustration work he produces. He is a wonderful person to work with, full of ideas and enthusiasm
— Lisa Hassell / Founder @ Inkygoodness
Working within a tight time frame before our official opening, Dave completed a stunning mural. In continuing to provide regular art and design support for us, Dave has become a fundamental part of our success.
— James Koch / Owner @ The Gallimaufry
Dave’s mural perfectly captures the energy and identity we were hoping to convey, as well as bringing the archive to life in a really engaging and accessible way! We love it.
— Daniel Buckroyd / Artistic Director & Chief Executive @ Exeter Northcott Theatre
Thank you so much for your professionalism and incredible skill in creating the mural. Your work has really raised the bar.
— Sophie McCormack / Heritage Manager @ Exeter Northcott Theatre
Dave brings everything to a project; a completely original mind, clear communication, professional understanding and a wonderfully calm aura to finish it off - the sort of working relationship that reminds you why you started working in the creative industry. Rather than ‘recommend’ Dave Bain, I think it would be more honest to say you’d be lucky if you get to work with him!
— Russell Hancock / Creative Director @ Extra Strong
Dave’s attention to detail was without exception and he presented a number of ideas to hear the views of the wider staff teams and young people. He listened and handled all the individual views in a professional and sensitive manner, always keeping the young people in mind.
— Brenden McIntyre / Service Development Manager South @ Teenage Cancer Trust
His vision captured our imaginations from the moment we started working with him.
— Ngaio Harding-Hill / Head of Attractions & Live Experiences @ Aardman
Dave was responsive and worked well with patients and staff, running workshops and engaging staff in discussions about the work.
— Jane Willis / Director @ Willis Newson Arts & Health Consultants
Dave’s creativity and attention to detail captured the essence of our brand, turning the space into an engaging area that resonates with our student users.
— Emma Pethybridge / Marketing Manager @ Bristol SU
Dave took my rather abstract brief and turned his artwork into something that had a strong graphic statement, offered a compelling visual journey, as well as having that magical and quirky Dave Bain touch.
— Emma Clegg / Editor @ The Bath Magazine
Dave developed the designs following workshops with students and even got the students involved in some of the painting.
— George Streets / Operations & Communications Lead @ Artists in Residence
Dave is a thoughtful, listening & skilful graphic artist who takes time to absorb the brief and then continues that dialogue as his design ideas take shape. Our play site for disabled children is the richer for his work and understanding.
— Mark Pasco / Chair @ Bournstream Trust
Dave got the tone and style spot on, and we ended up using his illustrations across our website, social and print. He made the process easy and fun, and intuitively knew what would work for us. Highly recommended.
— Mel Scaffold / CEO @ Theatre Bristol
We loved exploring designs and ideas for delivery with Dave as he makes this process fun and inclusive.

He has a great understanding of how to work sympathetically with audiences and how to get people inspired without it being transactional. There was a real sense of inclusion and participation that gave the project its identity.
— Jon Barrett / Community Engagement and Volunteering Officer @ QLPS
Dave is incredibly talented, reliable and a joy to work with. Despite very short notice he produced some stunning work and executed it brilliantly
— Gabrielle Blackman / Interior designer & TV presenter @ DIY SOS (BBC)
 

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