Butcher Billy

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Fantasy

Graphic

Lettering

People

Pop

Retro

Cover design for Black Mirror Fifteen Million Merits book

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Butcher Billy's superhero Playboy Bunny was part of our Comic Con series last year

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BB commissioned this poster for a Brazilian PR campaign promoting Netflix's Arcane

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Advertising poster design of Netflix's Arcane

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Super Hero Illustrator

That's what happens when you read too much comics as a young child.

Training

Billy graduated in Graphic Design from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, in Brazil.

Approach

Butcher Billy likes to keep things simple. Initially he sketches out his ideas on napkins from sleazy bars, then moves over to his Mac to create a clean, clear image. He uses basic colours and strong forms - and a few graphic tricks here and there - for impact. Though he creates his work digitally, he’s absorbed by the typography, imagery and creative concepts of the 70s, 80s and 90s and loves the little imperfections of the pre-web era. He draws on nostalgia throughout his work.

Style

Pop art, with huge vintage influences coming from movies, games, comics, music, television and the arts. Butcher Billy’s images are often a mash-up of ideas, but the final executions are very cohesive and immediate, often using a comic book aesthetic and a strong colour palette.

Impressions

Interview

Video

Website

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Interview

What drew you to illustration/design?Comics, cinema, music, pop culture in general – I remember sketching the Ghostbusters when I was 6 just by watching the commercial of the movie on TV.Do you have any formal design training?I'm graduated in Graphic Design at PUCPR in Brazil.Where are you originally from?Brazil.Where do you live now & what drew you there?I did travel the world but got back to my hometown a few years ago.Where is your studio and can you describe it for me?My studio is actually my studio apartment. I work full time as creative director for a digital agency and Butcher Billy is a creature that only comes out a night.Describe the view from your studio window?It's mostly buildings but I find it amazing – my last apartment looked like the Bat-Cave. This one would be more like the Stark Tower.Who or What is your biggest inspiration?I wanna say Jack Kirby which is a huge one, but that would be unfair to all the others.How do you get your ideas?It all starts usually with drunk sketches on napkins from sleazy bars. When I happen to find any of those in my pocket when sober, I use Adobe tools to get things done with it!What is the first record you bought?The original score from 1989's Batman by Danny Elfman.Tell us about a favourite project you've recently completed.I've been addicted to The IT Crowd lately so I designed a Maurice Moss artwork while I was watching episodes – it was immediately required by a famous webstore to be released as a t-shirt.What would be your dream job/commission?Never thought about it, but it would probably be something for Marvel or DC Comics. What's the best advice you've ever been given?Solve a problem now, because if you leave it for tomorrow, you'll have 2 problems to solve. Not saying I followed it.If you could travel back in time which period would you visit & why?I'd love to have fun in the nightlife of London in the early 80’s.

Favourites

Born & Residence: Brazil Gallery: Tate Drink: The Worlds End, Camden Food: London's Chinatown Magazine: Rolling Stone Holiday/Travel Destination: London