Rufus Newell uses curves and scribbles to depict Greek gods and heroes
Artist Rufus Newell creates illustrations that use curves and scribbles to create a creative chronicle. A Leeds School of Art graduate, studio holder at Assembly House and a member of Precious art collective, Rufus is an artist on the cusp of illustrational greatness.
A recent project of Rufus’ is Hercules and his Club an illustrated zine. The Risograph printed publication displays the illustrator “working with honesty and immediacy, desire and denial, joy and trepidation,” he tells It’s Nice That. “I use drawing to respond to my surroundings while keeping an intuitive grasp on the imaginative world.” Rufus certainly taps into an inventive narrative within his zine that illustrates the Greek gods. “Recently I have been looking at folklore, classical greek sculptures, and stories of war, gods, and heroes.”
In terms of an illustrative style Rufus sticks to a warm red colour palette within Hercules and his Club. By using a sketch-like technique the colour fills the page in areas, but also creates delicate drawings. “I find that drawing is a great tool for constant reinvention and rapid expression,” he explains. “I like to overlay, obliterate and edit in order to arrive at meaning.”
Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club
Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club
Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club
Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club
Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club
Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club
Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club
Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club
Rufus Newell: Hercules and his Club
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About the Author
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Lucy (she/her) was part of the It’s Nice That team from 2016–2025, first joining as a staff writer after graduating from Chelsea College of Art with a degree in Graphic Design Communication, eventually becoming a senior editor on our editorial team, and most recently at Insights, a research-driven department with It’s Nice That.