North West artist launches website for pop culture illustrations

An artist based in the North West is turning his illustrations into a successful business with the launch of a website for his creations.

Former Prolific North Live expo director Dunstan Carter established DunstanDoodles.com after completing a project that saw him illustrate 15 Manchester Icons.

Dunstan said the idea to depict the pop culture figures came to him when he created three portraits in 2014 for Manchester digital agency Modern-English.

Deciding to expand on the three initial portraits, Dunstan now hopes the collection will be popular with fans of the biennial Manchester International Festival when it returns to the city this June, as well as with Mancunians and film and music enthusiasts.

Manchester musicians Noel Gallagher, Shaun Ryder and Ian Curtis feature in the collection, along with author Lemn Sissay and comedians Victoria Wood, Steve Coogan and Caroline Aherne.

In addition to selling prints through the website, Dunstan said he is now seeking new corporate commissions.

He commented: “I’m looking to work with businesses and brands across the UK, creating unique, bespoke art for office walls, publications, packaging, websites, bars, restaurants, and much more.

“I’ve been doing a lot of portrait work over the past few years but I’m eager to take on all kinds of different illustration projects and assignments.”

Dunstan said his approach to portraiture involves illustrating onto coloured card and incorporates elements of a collage and a cut-and-paste technique, with no paint involved.