From big cats to commuters, Reece Wykes creates characters using the subtlest of details

Whether its a flat big cat or a commuter passing by, London-based illustrator Reece Wykes seems to be able to bring any character to life with subtle adeptness.

Not long out of Kingston Uni, Reece has a small but charming collection of projects to show for himself. The latest is Tigers, a series of flat illustrations starring big cats in all manor of scenarios — up on hind legs or pouncing on a gazelle — with comically menacing facial expressions that contrast the silhouetted floral backdrops. Reece says these are inspired by Japanese matchbox labels, and he’s planning to develop them into a series of pattern designs.

In The Morning Commute, Reece uses a grayscale palette and carefully placed outlines to depict a snapshot of busy commuters. The forms and gestures are minimal yet tell so much about the personalities.

We also really like an earlier project of his, 52 dogs, a series of five screenprints that tell the story of Roald Amundsen’s South Pole expedition in 1911. Though it’s slightly different in its focus on landscape, rather than character, Reece depicts the narrative in a single colour scale with sophisticated flair.