Comedy Venue

detail of a funny colour illustration of a shocked boy for backdrop comedy show martello hotel bray

A stage Backdrop image and brand mascot, illustrated for a comedy venue: ‘Backdrop at the Martello

The client came to me with the brief to create a large stage backdrop image depicting a boy who could become a sort of brand mascot, or figure-head for the venue. Much in the way that Alfred E. Neuman—the kid on the covers of MAD Magazine is to their brand. The kid in the picture is based on a local story in Bray town about a kid who’s barber walked out across the street to buy a pint in a bar during the haircut, leaving him with half of a haircut. Apparently it didn’t just happen once either!

funny colour illustration of a shocked boy for backdrop comedy show martello hotel bray
Above: The approved art, with the a simpler placement of the logo
Above: One of my earlier variants, with the big logo and much more of the ginger hair clippings! Early on we also discussed creating the logo in an embroidered form on the barber’s smock
funny illustration of a shocked boy for backdrop comedy show martello hotel bray
Above: After the job was done, I found that I rather liked this version with hardly any colour in it

Sketches

Originally, the client had a 1980s look in mind (I’d been thinking 1950s), and I explored some styles. When it comes to bad taste, the 1980s probably takes the biscuit, and fair game for comedic ridicule!

1980s style sketches for an illustration job

1980s style sketches for an illustration job

1980s style sketches for an illustration job
Above: 1908s style meets 50s Barber Shop
1980s style sketches for an illustration job
Above: Facial expresisons—done with a mirror—and mullets and rat’s tails

funny B&W pencil sketch of a shocked boy for backdrop comedy show martello hotel bray

We dropped the 80s hair idea. No more mullet!

Above: Incorporating the reverse logo on the window behind.
Above: With a confused, rather than shocked facial expression! I rather prefer this, in a way.
Above: The client requested other options for having the Barbershop style logo in the background, before eventually eliminating it
funny colour illustration of a shocked boy for backdrop comedy show martello hotel bray
Above: The approved art, with the a simpler placement of the logo

Client: Martello Hotel
Illustrator: John White
Media: Pencil, ink, Gouache on board & Digital