ian whadcock

An 'Improbable' Illustrator with A levels in Pure Maths, Economics and Art - I delight in finding inspiration in the most unlikely areas of business and corporate publishing that makes these very qualifications appear strangely prescient on the doodled life I now lead. Whilst the final artwork is largely created on screen the reason for commissioning remains with the pencil (propelling 0.7) and the mental gymnastics of unlocking some molecule of graphic wit in the fug of statistics and business acronyms.

I enjoy clients that challenge my preconceptions of what I do - who push me past 'good enough' towards 'hey come and have a look at this ... thinking out loud with a pencil, drawing with words, scribbling notes on the brief whilst waiting outside my daughters guitar lesson - this is where the work begins - everything is interesting. Often boring but never bored.

I have been working professionally for around 20 years as an illustrator and at times educator in the field of Art & Design. Active in most areas of contemporary illustration and fortunate enough to have received a number of Gold and Silver awards from the Association of Illustrators / Best of British/Images series. I set up my own Illustration Company in the early noughties and continue to work today as Ian Whadcock Illustration Ltd.

I also contribute to a number of Art & Design Schools in the UK as a visiting lecturer and advisor on professional practice. Recently contributing to Manchester Metropolitan University, Sheffield Hallam University and Stockport College. I have also taken part as the external review panel member in the revalidation of Art and Design Degree level courses for Liverpool John Moores University.