This week, I’m joined by Bristol-based illustrator Dave Bain — a freelance, commercial artist whose work is as bold and expressive as it is distinctive. After graduating from Falmouth, Dave set up his own illustration studio in Bristol, where he’s been creating vibrant, character-driven artwork for editorial, advertising, branding, publishing, and promotional projects.

His idiosyncratic style pulls from a love of screen-printing and risograph techniques, wild colour combinations, and the rhythms of jazz and electronic music. Deeply inspired by visual culture, Dave’s illustrations are packed with energy, personality, and playful stylisation.

We’ll be diving into his journey as an illustrator, his creative process, and what it means to bring big character to the commercial art world.