Haunting illustrations explore vacant spaces, industrialisation, conflict and mystery

Halloween might be over for another year, but with the nights drawing ever darker, it's still a spooky time of year here in the UK. With that in mind, we'd like to introduce the work of Cardiff-based illustrator, Jacob Courtney. After graduating from Cardiff School of Art and Design, he produces work that involves pencil drawing and painting, with the aim of making atmospheric and immersive scenes and worlds.

He explains: "My work often revolves around themes of urban areas, the role of people and their relation with these areas – vacant spaces, industrialisation, history, conflict, and mystery. My work is often dark and desaturated.

"As well as this I have an interest in narrative and storytelling. I'm interested in the stories that vacant environments and locations can tell just by the hints and traces of life that they contain.

"This was something I tried to do with my Ghost Town project, which was inspired by the town of Port Talbot and its steelworks."

Discover more at jacobcourtneyillustration.com.

All images courtesy of the artist

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