You might have seen Peter Donnelly’s illustrations without even knowing it. Aside from being an award-winning illustrator and children’s book author, he has worked extensively in advertising and branding, collaborating with the biggest names in the industry like McDonald’s, Guinness, and Coke.
According to Donnelly, some of his most successful commissions have been a direct result of side projects. “Personal work is the key to growing as an illustrator,” he told Inky Goodness. “The freedom to experiment outside of a brief… a chance to make mistakes and discover happy accidents. Keeping a sketchbook is a big part of that.”
With over 20 years of experience under his belt, Donnelly has had time to refine his now recognizable style, which draws inspiration from mid-century design, folk art, and vintage print. “My style seems to be able to cross over and work for different clients,” he says. “There’s a good vibe element to my work which I suppose appeals to people so it helps to sell products.”
But as his clientele is varied, from branding jobs and editorial to children’s book publishing, his artistic style also has room for flexibility. The result is playful and all-around wonderful. See for yourself.
