Dave Bain

Hi. I'm a freelance illustrator. After graduating from Falmouth I set up my illustration studio in Bristol, UK, inside Jamaica Street Studios. I enjoy working as an commercial 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 theory, picture books and mid-century illustration (for example, Jim Flora). I love listening to jazz and electronic music.

As a muralist, 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.

I provide lectures on illustration and work with a number of illustration courses, providing industry advice, tutorials and portfolio reviews. I work with The Association Of Illustrators (the AOI) as their meet-up coordinator and host of their Inside Illustration ‘Creative Practice Course’. If you’re an illustrator in Bristol, then you can meet me at PIP - Bristol’s illustrator 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.