From vintage aesthetics to bold portraiture, we pick out the shining stars from JSR’s books

For the last 11 years, London-based creative agency JSR has been working hard to uncover and represent artists in the fields of photography, illustration, CGI and moving image. From its roster of accomplished and emerging talent, It’s Nice That has plucked a handful of creatives for you to check out.

R. Fresson

Ruby Fresson (illustrating as R. Fresson) depicts an array of interesting characters that drift between reality and limbo. The vintage aesthetic she applies grounds the more surreal elements to her work, and she achieves this by using technical drawing tools and materials she’s accumulated over the years. Inspired by her collection of Boy’s Own Annuals from the 1940s, Ruby’s images have a textured quality to them, with rich colours and precise linework being a key feature of her style.

To support the traditional techniques she’s honed over the years, Ruby uses off-white papers, Ukiko-e from Japan and CMYK colour separation to really make her illustrations pop. Working with clients including The New York Times, Monocle, The Guardian, GQ and The New Yorker, Ruby’s approach suits the characteristics of editorial commissions superbly, as she manages to condense themes and ideas in articles down to pithy, humorous and communicative images.

Joseph Vass

Bringing together a plethora of bright colours, hand-drawn typography and idealistic imagery, Joseph Vass’ silkscreen works take us on a trip. For each illustration, Joseph spends hours using brush and ink to sketch out his ideas and then scales up each one ready to be silkscreened in an array of tropical hues.

Creating a utopian haze within his work, Joseph depicts famous cities, countries and landscapes that feel almost like vintage travel posters. Typographic elements like signage and slogans further transport us to the places Joseph illustrates. Used commercially in print, web and advertising, the illustrator’s work has been commissioned by Sky One, ASOS, Film4, Anomaly, Somerset House and Print Club London.

Jon Attenborough

After graduating from Plymouth University with a degree in film and photography in 2002, photographer Jon Attenborough left England and headed to Australia. He spent the next seven years as an assistant director on TV commercials, dramas and films. While he enjoyed the pace, it was working alongside photographers in those projects that inspired Jon to pick up the camera himself and discover a new career path.

Deciding to go full-time in photography, he headed back to England and settled in London in 2013, where he’s worked hard to forge himself a nook in portrait and lifestyle photography. Having picked up commissions for brands including Reebok, Puma, Stand Up to Cancer and Fred Perry, Jon’s work is bold, clean and simplistic. His pared-back approach and experience working in close teams allows him to draw out the best in his subjects, he conveys engaging narratives in one single frame. Adopting a golden colour palette, often favouring natural light, Jon’s images are honest and refreshing.