The Journal

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.

Hand Drawn Illustration: Why Rob Nicol is a Refreshing Antidote to "Gray Goo" Illustration
robert nicol, hand drawn illustration, human crafted illustration, editorial illustration Daniel Chrichlow robert nicol, hand drawn illustration, human crafted illustration, editorial illustration Daniel Chrichlow

Hand Drawn Illustration: Why Rob Nicol is a Refreshing Antidote to "Gray Goo" Illustration

Discover why Robert Nicol’s hand-drawn illustration is the definitive antidote to 'grey goo' design. Explore the 2026 resurgence of the human crafted touch in editorial illustration, highlighting Nicol’s 'wonky' aesthetic and RCA-trained expertise.

Read More
Robert Nicol illustrations: Capturing the Invisible World of Maritime Life
robert nicol, illustration agency Dutch Uncle robert nicol, illustration agency Dutch Uncle

Robert Nicol illustrations: Capturing the Invisible World of Maritime Life

Robert Nicol creates powerful editorial illustrations for Common Good Magazine, depicting the MV Dali disaster and the realities of maritime life. His atmospheric visuals highlight isolation, risk, and human resilience, using light, shadow, and composition to bring emotional depth to overlooked industries and the people within them.

Read More