Surreal and unique illustrations of Iain Macarthur

Born in Swindon, England in 1986, Iain Macarthur specializes in shirt designs, tattoo designs, print designs, posters, album art, logos, branding, editorial illustration. His artworks are very creative embellishing stunning patterns, transforming a simple form in shapes with thousands of stories. His work can be described as surreal and unique in its own way. Using mostly pencil, watercolours and pigment pens, the artist creates portraits of ordinary people and animal illustrations, but creates them in an unusual way by embellishing patterns and watercolour effects into the portrait. Which gives a vivid explosion effect, transforming their faces or bodies from something plain to something entirely bizarre and wonderful at the same time.

Iain Macarthur is influenced by many artists and illustrators – all with differing styles and mediums – and has turned to their work for artistic stimulation over the years. Among them are Alphonse Mucha, Gustav Klimt, Lucian Freud, Jenny Saville, James Jean, David Choong Lee, Sergio Toppi and Ashley Wood. He also gained much inspiration through cartoons, art and lighting, people’s facial expressions, eyes and different forms of organic patterns and shapes.