Iain Macarthur


Artist Bio

Born in 1986 in Swindon, England. Became a fanatic of art at the age of eight in which I was introduced to art through watching a lot of cartoon shows and comic books. First ever comic I looked at was the Batman series. Since then I’ve been obsessed with drawing odd fantasy drawings and anime characters.

When I got older I diverted from anime drawings to realistic figures and faces, always striving to make them more detailed and photorealistic. I always do one or two drawings ever since. I also carry a sketch book around all the time on my travels drawing on the bus or in a coffee shop. I enjoy doing it and helps me improve drawing people, which shows how motivated and inspired I am in art.

I’ve looked at a lot of artists and illustrators throughout the years, all with different styles and different medias. My favourite artists that influences me in my work is Alphonse Mucha, Klimt, Lucian Freud, Jenny Saville, James Jean, David Choong Lee, Sergio Toppi and Ashley Wood. I also gain knowledge and inspiration through cartoons still as well as lighting, peoples face expressions, eyes, different forms of patterns and shapes.

In 2008, I graduated from Swindon college in HND illustration and hopefully will progress in studying in BA illustration somtime in the future. I have done a few exhibitions this year and last year, such as the Swindon College exhibition for illustration and graphic design students, D/AD new blood exhibition at Earls Court London and a solo internet exhibtion on phoneboothgallery.com.

My work is described as surreal and unique in its own way. Using mostly pencil, watercolors and pigment pens I create portraits of ordinary people but create them in a unusual way by embelishing patterns and watercolour effects into the portrait to give a vivid explosion effect. I make their faces from somthing plain to somthing entirely bizarre and wonderful at the same time.

Iain Macarthur’s Blog

Iain Macarthur on Behance

Iain Macarthur on Carbonmade




37 responses to “Iain Macarthur”

  1. Vnq567 says:

    love your work! …your technique is extraordinary!

  2. this is amazing lik i’ve never considered tattoos, but this would definitelyy be artwork i’d consider putting on my body..

  3. this is amazing lik i’ve never considered tattoos, but this would definitelyy be artwork i’d consider putting on my body..

  4. EIL says:

    Thank you, you may use as long as you link back to this blog 🙂

  5. […] Iain Macarthur | Escape Into Life […]

  6. Luke Hutton says:

    love you’re work man. wish you tattooed!

  7. Photolink says:

    love these designs

  8. Marissa Lock says:

    I want that peacock as a tattoo! Gorgeous!

  9. Kelsey says:

    Beautiful!!

  10. […] Iain Macarthur […]

  11. […] art usually but my usual browsing led me to Escape into Life where I found the fascinating work of Iain Macarthur. The candy skull in particular is amazing and I want to check out more of his work. I’d quite […]

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  13. Jolly says:

    AH-MAY-ZING!

  14. […] Iain Macarthur | Escape Into Life […]

  15. Nadtsu says:

    Hello! I really love the details on your artworks… so beautiful!!! Great job & keep ’em coming~

  16. […] Iain Macarthur […]

  17. […] Iain Macarthur | Escape Into Life […]

  18. Sue lovett says:

    I love EIL’s art, he’s a true artist.

  19. Nuel Nikhil says:

    Marvelous …

  20. Kelly Calhoun says:

    Would you ever consider doing art for people? For example, I think i’d like to give your art as a gift!

  21. […] Iain Macarthur | Escape Into Life […]

  22. […] Iain Macarthur […]

  23. prashant kumar gupta says:

    Art , gift of god..Making art is worship for god.
    Great Creative Art….

  24. megan says:

    amazing work, simpy great

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  28. Arnold May II says:

    Amazing art work

  29. Monica says:

    beautiful!

  30. MARY says:

    ILOVEIT!

  31. annecole says:

    Amazing Work

  32. Jhon clerk says:

    hello Thanks everyone for your comments, i really appreciate. Hugo, your comment made my day. Knowing that some people appreciate my work means a lot to me. It’s cool to see your interest in the language. Ruby is one wild beast but to me it’s the most interesting and elegant language out there. http://halfuphalfdownhairstyles.com/

  33. KiranHost says:

    REALY GREAT WORK

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