Radio Times – My Top Ten Commissions (Part 1)
Client: Radio Times ·
Please join me as I look back on some of my favourite pieces, commissioned by Radio Times. They’ve been one of my dream clients since I became interested in editorial illustration at university and getting a gig from them is always exciting! Here’s the first five of my top ten commissions (in publication order).
1. Naturebang
My first piece for Radio Times. I woke up to the commission and didn’t have breakfast until I got the roughs sent. I had a preferred idea where ants would reflect a constellation, but Mark was right that it wouldn’t be very clear at the print size. This is still one of my favourite images, because of getting to draw all the different foliage.
2. Whatever Happened to Baby Jane Austen?
Later that year, I was honoured to be included in the Christmas Double Issue. I hadn’t really pushed likeness-based work, but this image would definitely need to include portraits of Saunders and French and it was nice of Mark to believe in me. I was pleased with the likeness and the narrative I got across in the image.
3. Glastonbury
I enjoyed playing with the concepts and scale when visualising “Glastonbury at home”, though I’ve never actually been. I packed a lot into the tiny image, but it was all legible and fun. I was particularly pleased with the fireworks.
4. Essex, my Essex
I liked the idea of the show challenging everyone’s pre-conceptions on the county, which I think the directional sign captured well (and a play on a well known reality TV show’s title). I’ve never been, but I have more of an appreciation for Essex as a whole. The sparky stiletto was also fun to draw.
5. The Attendant
I liked the narrative of the show and had fun capturing moments and atmosphere in the roughs (working from just the synopsis). There were some more dynamic images in the roughs, but I was happy to finally get paid to draw a Henry hoover (yeah, I know the blue one is Charles – I’ve used one) and even sneaked a little Clerks reference in there.
Alex Hahn
Illustratoralexhahnillustrator.com
English
I have over ten years experience creating editorial illustrations for many of the UK’s top magazines and newspapers, from spot illustrations through double-page spreads and covers. I use bold lines and strong draughting to deliver visual solutions to a diverse range of subjects and ideas. I’m equally happy creating conceptual or character-based, narrative images.
My practice centres around figurative and ideas-based illustration alongside independent publishing. I enjoy projects and subjects that push my work in new directions. I love working with ideas / concepts, characters and narrative, whether it's a single spot-illustration or multi-page sequential story.
Hire me for: editorial, book covers, book illustration, posters, portraits, comics, storyboards, advertising or any project you feel my work could suit – let's talk!
Inbetween commissions, I publish small press books and zines as BlopShop where I regularly exhibit at conventions and fairs across the country, including: Thought Bubble, The House of Illustration Illustrator's fairs and ELCAF; my books and zines have been bought across the globe. My story, SPACE RACE! Was selected for the World Illustration Awards shortlist.
Outside of illustration, you can find me walking around the Buckinghamshire countryside, enjoying an (unpretentious) coffee, gardening and looking after nature.
Clients: Anglia Ruskin University, The Big Issue, Computer Arts, EYEYAH!, Financial Times, Firewords, The Fitzwilliam Museum, The Guardian, Holyrood Magazine, NCT (National Childbirth Trust), New Internationalist, The Observer, Politico, Popshot, Property Week, Pure App, RBS, Radio Times, Shortlist, Starbucks EMEA, The Sunday Times Magazine, Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust, UCL Department of Anthropology
Skills
Software: Adobe After Effects, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop
Awards: Images 36 – Shortlisted (2011), World Illustration Awards – Shortlist (2016)
11 Years Experience
I have over ten years experience creating editorial illustrations for many of the UK’s top...