Daniel Batista’s energetic illustrations capture the pastimes that bring people joy

Daniel Batista’s characters will often be seen in motion – kicking a football, playing a saxophone or banging a drum. Whatever they’re doing, you can be sure they’re doing it with passion. For the illustrator, his work is all about exploring the things that bring people happiness; so he sources inspiration in football for “the joy the sport provides”, and in music, because it exists as a “magical universe that brings us such beautiful feelings”. To visually capture such positivity, Daniel looks to the colourful design and illustration styles from the 70s and 80s, as well as the vibrancy of his Brazilian culture.

Describing his work as vector illustration, Daniel often starts with a few hand sketches to develop his ideas before finalising them in Adobe illustrator, giving them their characteristically clean-cut look. Perhaps of utmost importance to Daniel, however, is the highlighting and championing of Black culture through his practice. As a way of doing so, he places Black people as the central protagonist in his pieces. “It’s a way to embrace my culture and affirm my identity,” he concludes.