Rufus Newell uses curves and scribbles to depict Greek gods and heroes

Date
29 March 2017

Artist Rufus Newell creates illustrations that use curves and scribbles to create a creative chronicle. A Leeds School of Art graduate, studio holder at Assembly House and a member of Precious art collective, Rufus is an artist on the cusp of illustrational greatness.

A recent project of Rufus’ is Hercules and his Club an illustrated zine. The Risograph printed publication displays the illustrator “working with honesty and immediacy, desire and denial, joy and trepidation,” he tells It’s Nice That. “I use drawing to respond to my surroundings while keeping an intuitive grasp on the imaginative world.” Rufus certainly taps into an inventive narrative within his zine that illustrates the Greek gods. “Recently I have been looking at folklore, classical greek sculptures, and stories of war, gods, and heroes.”

In terms of an illustrative style Rufus sticks to a warm red colour palette within Hercules and his Club. By using a sketch-like technique the colour fills the page in areas, but also creates delicate drawings. “I find that drawing is a great tool for constant reinvention and rapid expression,” he explains. “I like to overlay, obliterate and edit in order to arrive at meaning.”

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Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club

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Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club

Above

Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club

Above

Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club

Above

Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club

Above

Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club

Above

Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club

Above

Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club

Above

Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club

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About the Author

Lucy Bourton

Lucy (she/her) is the senior editor at Insights, a research-driven department with It's Nice That. Get in contact with her for potential Insights collaborations or to discuss Insights' fortnightly column, POV. Lucy has been a part of the team at It's Nice That since 2016, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication.

lb@itsnicethat.com

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