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 collection of work and ideas from the front line of contemporary illustration.
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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
Marc Burckhardt Paints the 2026 Tecovas × Mossy Oak White-Tailed Deer Conservation Stamp
Marc Burckhardt paints a white-tailed deer doe and fawn for the 2026 Tecovas × Mossy Oak Texas Conservation Stamp.
The limited-edition release supports Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, with 100% of money raised helping fund wildlife and habitat conservation.
Illustrated Clouds: Christian Montenegro’s Vida y obra de algunas nubes
Christian Montenegro transforms clouds into characters, animals, myths and strange weather systems in Vida y obra de algunas nubes. Working by hand with pencil and stencils, Christian brings renewed energy to Hernán Ronsino’s stories of clouds, folklore and fleeting phenomena.
Brian Rea at KIAF Seoul 2026 with CMay Gallery, Hall B, Booth B20
Brian Rea exhibits at KIAF Seoul 2026 with CMay Gallery, alongside Nam June Paik, Eva Armisén, Daan den Houter, Brad Howe and Tim Hawkinson. The international contemporary art fair runs at COEX, Seoul, from 2–6 September 2026.
Illustrator Jisu Choi Goes Wild for Riot Games’ Wild Fanfest at Hyundai Department Store in South Korea
South Korean illustrator Jisu Choi created the key visuals for Riot Games × Hyundai Department Store’s 2026 Wild Fanfest in Seoul and Pangyo, bringing Teamfight Tactics, Riftbound, Riot Store merchandise and interactive event elements together in detailed campaign illustrations.
Javi Aznarez Illustrates Nine Orchard and New York’s Lower East Side for a 500-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Illustrator Javi Aznarez captures New York’s Lower East Side in a detailed 500-piece jigsaw for Nine Orchard hotel, depicting the restored Jarmulowsky Bank and surrounding neighbourhood in a character-filled cityscape created for guests to enjoy and purchase at the hotel.
Satoshi Hashimoto Illustrates Regional Japan for ANCHOR Magazine
Japanese illustrator Satoshi Hashimoto creates bi-monthly covers for ANCHOR, using recommendations from regional insurance branches across Japan. The series brings together local foods, landmarks and destinations from Toyama, Aomori, Iwate, Tokyo, Gifu, Osaka, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and beyond.
Brian Rea Exhibition & Workshop: Fosforito Illustration Gallery, Barcelona — 18–20 Sept 2026
Brian Rea returns to Barcelona for an exhibition and 1.5-day workshop at Fosforito Illustration Gallery, opening 18 September 2026.
Finding the Feelings explores how personal experiences, everyday moments and emotion can be translated into stronger illustration and visual storytelling.
Javi Aznarez Gets Into the Groove for Internazionale Kids
Internationally acclaimed illustrator Javi Aznarez brings his distinctive wit, cinematic storytelling and character-filled world to Internazionale Kids. Recently named among 2026’s top illustrators, Javi creates a wonderfully detailed scene packed with humour, energy and plenty to discover.
Jisu Choi Unfolds Samsung’s Galaxy Campaign with j-hope
Jisu Choi illustrates Samsung Korea’s Galaxy Unpacked campaign with j-hope, using a street scene and “new ratio” clue to invite followers to imagine the next Galaxy device before its reveal.
Clara Super Duper Illustrates Showbåden 2026 for Copenhagen Opera Festival
Clara Super Duper created the poster for Showbåden 2026 at Copenhagen Opera Festival, a live opera canal cruise running 13 August to 6 September.
The event introduces opera through music, story and city setting, with a Tidal playlist for listeners.
Debora Szpilman Checks In at The Webster Hotels, New York and London
Debora Szpilman created brand illustrations for The Webster hotels as part of a new identity by 01-20 Studio. The project connects hospitality, magical realism, Gabriel García Márquez and cultural storytelling, giving the brand a distinct authored voice across guest touchpoints.
Javi Aznarez Illustrates the Hamptons for New York Magazine’s Summer 2026 Issue
Javi Aznarez illustrates New York Magazine’s Summer 2026 Hamptons issue, capturing seasonal workers, family homes, Donohue’s East and Hamptons culture through warm, character-driven editorial illustration that brings humour, social observation and New York summer storytelling to life.
Gardening Stories: Capturing the Magic of the Garden Illustrated By Clara Dupre
Clara Dupre illustrates 24 Illustrations for Charlotte Mendelson’s Observer gardening column with witty editorial botanical artwork. Her gardening illustrations combine plants, humour, character, and storytelling, making the series a strong reference for professional garden illustration, botanical editorial art, and illustrated gardening stories.
Jisu Choi x CHANEL Animation: Panoramic Portrait of Seoul for Métiers d’art 2026
Jisu Choi has illustrated an animated teaser for CHANEL’s Métiers d’art 2026 collection in Seoul, introducing the city through a panoramic vision of tradition, modernity, nature and urban life ahead of the House’s presentation at Centre Pompidou Hanwha.
DIOR Cruise 2027 Illustration: Javi Aznarez Creates Jonathan Anderson’s Los Angeles Guide for Dior
DIOR Cruise 2027 : illustrator Javi Aznarez creates a Los Angeles Guide for Jonathan Anderson, featuring Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, The Broad Museum, The Getty Museum, Rodeo Drive, Chateau Marmont, Beverly Hills Hotel, Sunset Tower, Bar DiBello, Max and Helen’s, Musso, Frank Grill and a pink cadillac.
Giant Robot 2 Gallery, LA, Presents Film School II : A Group Exhibition
Film School II: The Return at Giant Robot Gallery (Los Angeles) features Dutch Uncle artist Ping Zhu. This exhibition translates cinematic frames into narrative paintings from April 25 to May 12, 2026. It explores the architecture of cinema through shared cultural memory and contemporary art and illustration.
The Voices Shaping 2026: Noma Bar and Javi Aznarez Named in CreativeBoom’s Top 15 Illustrators
The top 15 illustrators of 2026 including Noma Bar & Javi Aznarez, as selected by the Creative Boom community, represent a diverse global cohort redefining visual storytelling. This list highlights artists who champion unique personal perspectives and distinctive voices across all landscapes.
Merry-Go-Round Broke Down: Noma Bar’s Iconic Book Cover Art for David Woo’s Globalization Novel
Noma Bar’s wraparound book cover design for Merry-Go-Round Broke Down establishes the visual identity for David Woo’s globalization novel. Published by Regalo Press, this historical fiction uses nine parables to explore capital’s butterfly effect. A 2008 hostage crisis serves as a microcosm for our interconnected global order
Toby’s Estate Brings Australian Coffee Culture to Tribeca with Quirky Debora Szpilman Illustrations
Toby’s Estate has arrived in Tribeca, blending Australian coffee heritage with vibrant design. The flagship features playful illustrations by Debora Szpilman across menus, merch, and t-shirts. The space, designed by New York Design Architects, celebrates Toby Smith’s journey from a garage roastery to a global presence at 310 Greenwich Street.
Jisu Choi: The Illustrator Behind the Iconic Poster for Netflix’s "BTS: The Return"
Discover the story behind the official Netflix poster for BTS: The Return, illustrated by acclaimed South Korean artist Jisu Choi.
Commissioned for the global premiere on March 27, this exclusive artwork captures the evolution of BTS from military service to their new album, Arirang. Directed by Bao Nguyen, Jisu’s intricate hand-drawn style perfectly encapsulates the K-pop icons' journey.
Explore the creative process behind the year’s most anticipated documentary.