Tom Bonson

All

Animals

Cartoon & Humour

Character Design

Children

Fantasy

Nature

People

Surreal alien landscape with dome shelter and welcome sign by Tom Bonson

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Victorian gentleman character poses with top hat and cane by Tom Bonson

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Character design sheet of two children, girl with magic and boy in uniform by Tom Bonson

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The marvellous monster talent

Wonderfully original figures full of lovely details.

Training

After two years of Fine Art at Norfolk College, Tom completed an Illustration degree at Lincoln University.

Approach

Beginning with a rough composition in Photoshop, Tom traces the image onto paper and then renders it fully in pencils. The pencil drawing is scanned back into Photoshop where all the colour is added.

Style

Tom loves to create worlds that viewers can get lost in, with colourful characters and little hints of detail that draw you in. Humour – usually ridiculous and light hearted – plays a big role in his style as well.

Impressions

Interview

Video

Website

Send Enquiry

Interview

What led you to become an illustrator?Both my parents were illustrators so the love of drawing runs in the family. Did you study illustration at college?I studied Illustration at Lincoln University UK. It was great as the illustration studios were in an old chapel and we'd sit on pews while working. Bit cold though.Where did you grow up?Norfolk UKDo you have a childhood memory memory relating to drawing/art that you hold dear?Going out sketching with my Mum and Dad around the widdly, windy country lanes of Norfolk.Where do you live now and what drew you there?I live in Bristol now. I visited before moving there and the vibrant art/music scene drew me in.Describe your studio for usHamilton House is a great place with a great community. It's a large open, plan studio which is great for freelancers like me as you're always surrounded by other creative minds.Do you have any studio pets?Keith the cactusWho or What is your biggest inspiration?Music is a big one. If I discover a new piece of music or band that I like then that can spark a whole new range of work. Also Doritos.How do you get your ideas?All sorts of ways. I find just having a quiet time and space to just mull things over always helps with coming up with new ideas.What are your interests outside of illustration?Playing guitar, cooking, badminton.Tell us about a favourite project you’ve recently completedThe Bristol giants. Great project as it was set in and around places I've actually been to.What would be your dream job/commission?Pixar or Aardman wanting me to help design characters for their next movie.Why is illustration such a powerful medium?Now more than ever we live in an image driven world due to social media etc. So an image can be a very powerful way to influence a point of view.What makes a really good client brief?A detailed, thought out and clear brief is the best.How much of your work is hand drawn?50%How do you invision illustration evolving?I think with things like ipads and phone apps children will want more interactivity in there picture books so it'll go from print to interactive apps.Who is your musical hero?Radiohead, Massive Attack.Do you have a method for dealing with the feeling of having no ideas?I guess I try to forget about not having any ideas and step away from the drawing board for a bit. Go for a walk in nature, see some friends drink some coffee, chill out. It usually comes in time.If you could live anywhere, where would it be?A planet made of cheese with sweet red onion chutney oceans.If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?Buy a house. Publish my own books. Build a recording studio. Get a personal chef.

Favourites

Café: The Bristolian Gallery: Tate Modern Art Equipment/Tool: Imagination Food. Jelly Beans Drink: hot chocolate Shop: Jarrold in Norwich Podcast: Athletico Mince Holiday/Travel Destination: Scotland

Anthropomorphic insect with glasses holding a staff and translucent wings

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Dinosaurs in a futuristic city with tall buildings and palm trees at sunset

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Gnome creatures gathered in a colorful forest village setting.

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Close-up of a reptile's vibrant orange and green eye

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Futuristic warrior holding glowing keyboard sword by Tom Bonson

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Character carrying a small dog in front carrier with anatomical view by Tom Bonson

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Illustration of a tall rocky mountain above dark pine trees in black and white.

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Girl yelling at a smiling green monster in a colorful illustration by Tom Bonson

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Child reading with green dragon illustration by Tom Bonson

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Underwater octopus inside a cozy treehouse with nautical items by Tom Bonson

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Boy and black dog watching birds flying in the sky by Tom Bonson

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Rabbit adventurer wearing scarf and satchel in colorful background by Tom Bonson

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Book page with green creature and text by Tom Bonson

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Old map showing city layout with beast icons and compass rose

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Vintage pug dressed as an archer holding a bow and arrow standing on a ledge

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Two people in coats with a small white fluffy dog on leash

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Blue humanoid insect character on game card by Tom Bonson

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Fantasy scene with crowds and giant insect by Tom Bonson

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Coastal landscape with sand dune and crab, illustration by Tom Bonson

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Six different cats illustrated in watercolor by Tom Bonson

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Surreal underwater scenes with diver and fish by Tom Bonson

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Tree Maw creature from Leigh Woods illustrated by Tom Bonson

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Family gathered around breakfast table with food, illustration by Tom Bonson

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Bertha fantasy beast card illustration by Tom Bonson showing creature and game details

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Muscular insect-like monster with large claws and six legs

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Animated dinosaurs playing and relaxing on large tree branches

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Child in pajamas playing with robot toy in bedroom with starry ceiling.

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Kids running and chasing butterflies near a big tree on a sunny day.

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Sketch of man holding child in village and vintage car with giant pretzels

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Winter village scene with Merry Christmas greeting in the center

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Dark creature with glowing eyes and long ears in neon frame

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Digital illustration of Remo Rhino character

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Children fantasy design of tree in nature

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Captivating design of a dinosaur and a girl

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Water Color Drawing of Gina Giraffe and Bugs

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Children book Graphic animation of Rotten Fruit Friends

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Illustration Of Rotten Fruits and Vegetables

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Picture Book Illustration Of Trevor The Troll

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An Illustration of New Door Magic Forest

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An Illustration Of Car Breakdowns At Desert

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Oliver Rigby fantasy poster The Birsol Giants

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Tom Bonson

Selected illustrations

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Stylized insectoid humanoid characters in muted colors by Tom Bonson

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Dragon eye visible through bookshelves with stacked books and snail figurine

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Children running a race toward the finish line, illustration by Tom Bonson

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Green dinosaur looking at an open book by a bookshelf.

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Children's fantasy artists crafted a whimsical space ship

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Whimsical creature with mushroom hat holding bread next to sword and bag by Tom Bonson

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Two green dinosaurs near a volcanic mountain with butterflies

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Whimsical pencil drawing of a child with witch hat peeking from a detailed bag by Tom Bonson

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Dark fantasy village with mechanical buildings and glowing lights by Tom Bonson

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Mechanical insectoid creatures illustration by Tom Bonson

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Pencil sketches of anthropomorphic animals wearing clothes in different poses.

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Moss-covered angel surrounded by leaves and mystical elements in sepia tones

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Victorian plague doctor wearing top hat with tentacle creatures on aged paper

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Child wearing witch hat sitting on mushroom surrounded by fantasy creatures

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Old Shifty Eyes character card featuring a blue alien creature playing a trumpet, by Tom Bonson

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Illustration of three characters playing instruments in a forest by Tom Bonson

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Whimsical monster illustrations for a children's fantasy tale

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Red fox resting on a log above a forest pond with reflection by Tom Bonson

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Girl wearing red hood with basket walking in autumn forest with falling leaves

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Illustrated book cover of The Bristol Bestiary Volume I by Tom Bonson

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Green monster floating in space with cookies and treasure chest by Tom Bonson

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Moon Moth game card illustration with full moon and game instructions by Tom Bonson

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Animated ants interacting with caterpillars in a vibrant setting

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Tree with glowing eyes in dark forest surrounded by plants

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Child with backpack and dog waiting at bus stop near a bus

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Children sledding in snow and building a toy car inside.

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Portrait of a green nature spirit with leaves and flowers growing from face

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Twisted dark tree with glowing eyes and orange background

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Man wearing a mask reading a glowing book with a cloaked creature behind him.

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Sad Reindeer Conceptual wildlife animation

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Character Illustration For Musical App Fairy Stew

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An Illustration of Cottage and Tree House

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Steampunk scene with a small red vehicle and large smoking machinery by Tom Bonson

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Trevor The Troll Picture Book Illustration

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Illustration of Monster Performing at Talent Show

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Picture Book Illustration of Bucky Tooth Vampire

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Fantasy image of fairies riding a large starling bird by Tom Bonson

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Night landscape with town and hot air balloon by Tom Bonson

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Man with stick riding a large blue bird on a rock with flying papers

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Giant doves carrying buildings with people, insect-like figures below in surreal scene

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Jungle with elephant, tiger, monkey, crocodile, hippos at sunset

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Child fishing by lake with rod near trees and cloudy sky

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Illustrations of a genie and a pucca by Tom Bonson from a mythical creatures book

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Cartoon character with leaf-shaped head and blue overalls by Tom Bonson

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Abstract tree with human legs in colorful background by Tom Bonson

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Illustration of girl crawling under bed with toys by Tom Bonson

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Cartoon dinosaurs hatching from eggs and playing in a nest

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Stylized female figure in flowing patterned dress by Tom Bonson

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Confident orange creature on colorful alien landscape by Tom Bonson

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Surreal mountain landscape with human face profiles blended into the terrain

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Woman with feathered helmet and roller skates by Tom Bonson

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Green insect character lounging on a chair in a lush garden path

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Giant turtle looking over a person writing on a chalk wall in sepia tones

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Sepia illustration of a moon moth flying near a full moon at night

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Whimsical frog and bird in vintage hats and vests by Tom Bonson

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Loafy robot character on game card by Tom Bonson

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Underwater urban debris scene with green canopy by Tom Bonson

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An enchanting magician character for a children's storybook adventure

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Illustrated colorful map of Jennifer’s town with buildings and castle by Tom Bonson

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Twisted tree creature with pipe and elongated limbs in dark fantasy style.

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Goram figure hidden among trees at Brandom Hill by Tom Bonson

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Fantasy game cards featuring characters and creatures, illustrated by Tom Bonson

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Forest landscape with deer, waterfalls, and natural arch bridges

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Cartoon ant with blonde hair happily jumping

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Tom Bonson - Fantasy artist for kids' books

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Illustration of a giant spider watching a child in pajamas in two scenes.

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White fox on rocks beneath a bent tree in a misty landscape

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Car under a tree with neon red frame glowing at dusk

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Cartoon & Humor the best worst holiday ever

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Children animals illustration of Monkey and crane

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Rotten Fruits Illustrated as Human Being

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Child cuddling with two dragons, one red and one yellow by Tom Bonson

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Marvellous Monster Talent Show Book Cover

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Animation Children book Trevor the troll

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