Lucas Varela : The Art of Polite Chaos in the FT

Nov 25

Illustrator, Lucas Varela has a way of taking a big life problem and arranging it into a neat, almost friendly scene. One shape, one expression, one small clue that something has gone off the rails. Nothing dramatic. Everything clear. The awkwardness sits there, smiling.

His illustrations appear in Robert Shrimsley’s long-running Financial Times advice column, where readers submit personal dilemmas ranging from office etiquette to relationship stalemates.

Shrimsley answers with a dry, steady voice that trims each problem down to something manageable. The column works because it feels realistic without being harsh.

Lucas’ visuals sit beside these answers like a parallel commentary. They do not explain the joke. They nudge it.

Here are recent columns Lucas has illustrated:

“Actually, Who Are You Gonna Call?”
https://on.ft.com/3ZUJY39

“How Do I Learn When to Shut Up in Meetings?”
https://on.ft.com/4hFTJG0

“Should I Be More of a Team Player?”
https://on.ft.com/3ZHYUDY

“Should We Try Separate Bedrooms?”
https://on.ft.com/3ZxfHcR

“Should I Donate Money to My Old School?”
https://on.ft.com/40W8sQa

“Where Can a Love Cheat Safely Take Their Fling?”
https://on.ft.com/4g3rMF6

Shrimsley’s column works because he treats each question as something everyone secretly asks themselves. Lucas Varela takes that same tone and turns it into a picture. A subtle gesture, an odd tilt of a room, or a person frozen at the exact moment a decision becomes real. The drawings feel factual. No judgement. No exaggeration. The humour sits in the honesty.

For editorial teams, this is a clear case of illustration shaping the mood of a column. The text gives the advice. Lucas gives the moment right before the advice is needed.

Lucas’ full portfolio is here:
www.dutchuncle.co.uk/lucas-varela

Further Reading

Lucas Varela Portfolio — https://www.lucasvarela.com/
Robert Shrimsley’s FT Advice Columns — https://www.ft.com/robert-shrimsley
Actually, Who Are You Gonna Call? — https://on.ft.com/3ZUJY39
How Do I Learn When to Shut Up in Meetings? — https://on.ft.com/4hFTJG0
Should I Be More of a Team Player? — https://on.ft.com/3ZHYUDY
Should We Try Separate Bedrooms? — https://on.ft.com/3ZxfHcR
Should I Donate Money to My Old School? — https://on.ft.com/40W8sQa
Where Can a Love Cheat Safely Take Their Fling? — https://on.ft.com/4g3rMF6

lucas varelarobert shrimsleyIllustrationEditorial Illustration

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