The Dutch Uncle Journal is a considered study of illustration, design, and animation in practice — how they are conceived, commissioned, and realised in the wider world.
This is where we share the thinking behind our latest projects and engage with the wider shifts shaping visual culture — from the resurgence of handmade texture to the ways art redefines the spaces we inhabit. A considered collection of work and ideas from the front line of contemporary illustration.
-
Filter By Artist
Brian Rea / Noma Bar / Satoshi Hashimoto / Javi Aznarez / Debora Szpilman / Simone Massoni / Ping Zhu / Klaus Kremmerz / Lucas Varela / Charlotte Trounce / Marc Majewski / Kustaa Saksi / Alessandro Gottardo (SHOUT) / YOCO / Hsiao-Ron Cheng / Jisu Choi / Graham Roumieu / Tavis Coburn / Joel Holland / Robert Nicol (MA RCA) / Clara Dupré / Marc Burckhardt / Aesthetic Apparatus / Jon Gray (Gray318) / Christian Montenegro / LAPRISAMATA / Gaku Nakagawa / Adam McCauley
The Art of the Elegant Outlaw: Javi Aznarez and the Lord of Barmbeck
In 1920s Hamburg, Julius Adolf Petersen—the "Lord of Barmbeck"—turned burglary into a high-fashion performance. For Stern Crime, artist Javi Aznarez illustrates this non-violent "Robin Hood" with a sharp "Ligne Claire" lens, revealing a tactical irony: the Lord was too vain to be invisible. By dressing for a gala to rob a stagecoach, Petersen proved that in the underworld, a spotlight is often more dangerous than a gun.
Why Regular Illustration Commissions Matter: Javi Aznarez x Mengya Magazine
Beyond the hunt for one-off commissions, Javi Aznarez’s monthly covers for Mengya Magazine demonstrate the power of the "visual column." Entering 2026, this partnership proves that repetition builds more than just a portfolio—it fosters the trust, speed, and creative freedom necessary to transform a magazine cover into a definitive cultural landmark.
Javi Aznarez and Nieves Publishing: The French Dispatch Covers
Javi Aznarez collaborates with Nieves Publishing on The French Dispatch Covers, a 2025 book collecting his illustrations for The French Dispatch. Designed in a New Yorker-style format, the publication highlights Aznarez’s distinctive linework and colour, integral to Wes Anderson’s visual world and storytelling.
Javi Aznarez Turns Starmer and Reeves Into Budget Outlaws for The New Statesman
Javi Aznarez creates a dynamic cover for New Statesman depicting Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves as outlaws amid budget tensions. The illustration captures political urgency and economic debate, using bold editorial storytelling to reflect public reaction to Labour’s fiscal strategy and tax policies.
Cool Beer, Characterful Art: Javi Aznarez’s Fridge-Friendly Designs for Andes Origen
Javi Aznarez collaborates with Andes Origen on illustrated can designs that transform packaging into playful, character-driven scenes. Working with This Is New London, the designs build brand identity through humour and storytelling, aligning with trends in craft beer packaging where illustration creates memorable, collectible visual experiences.
Javi Aznarez x Chamberlain Coffee — Grounds for Celebration
Javi Aznarez collaborates with Chamberlain Coffee on an Artist Series packaging project curated by Emma Chamberlain. His cinematic illustrations transform coffee bags into narrative scenes, blending humour and atmosphere while exploring the ritual of daily coffee through character-driven visual storytelling.
