Meet @halfpricehancock the man behind everyone's fave Darkside design.
How would you describe your creative discipline?
Primarily an Illustrator/Cartoonist. Occasional woodcarver and musician.
Where would we likely find your work?
To be honest most of my best work is in stacks of sketchbooks in my mum's basement. Many of my favourite projects have been posters, zines and comic books that are likely lining parrot cages by now, if they're lucky - but you can check out some of my work online.
Tell us about your style
I spent years and years in the Ren and Stimpy school of trash and absurdism. More recently my work has laid roots in art nouveau, Rosicrucian symbolism and medieval themes - but it's always been about the characters for me. I don't mess with colour or environment very often. I obsess mostly about black ink and anatomy.
How did you end up doing what you do?
Very simply, I was always pretty good at drawing, and really bad at showing up for anything else.
Describe the space where you like to work
I'm lucky enough to have a big airy studio at my house, and it's perfect. Just a bunch of desks, my drafting table, a lightbox and some lamps. The best days are when friends come to share the space and work on their own projects, and we can all gab to each other about whatever we're working on. Actually that's a lie. The best times are when it's just me at four in the morning, wired, and listening to Black Sabbath while I try and keep a steady hand inking a nice big page.
What’s the story behind your artwork for the DC Coffee bag?
Rob wanted a kind of B movie horror feel for that one, and I jumped on it. All of my work has a B movie spirit - I'm not an "Artist", I don't want to teach anyone anything or send a message - I deal in shapes. I want creatures and ghosts and creeps, just for the sheer bogus delight that's in em. If you look at the design on that bag for more than two seconds you'll realise it just doesn't make any sense, and that's exactly how I like it.
Why do you believe it’s important to express yourself creatively?
It's important for me only because I don't know many other ways to do it. We all got our thing, right? Gotta be always getting better at your thing, otherwise what's the point?
What ideas help define your individual approach to life or your work?
Throwing concepts in the bin if you catch yourself replicating someone else's jam. Allowing yourself to explore new ideas and techniques, despite the feeling that you might be straying from your "brand". And, narcissistic as it may sound at first - making work for yourSELF. I've done projects I hated just for the money, and I hate having my name on them. If I'm a fan of my own work, then it's ready for other people to see.
Choose one: good coffee, good sex or good clothes
Sex.
What’s your dream brief or project?
I wanted to say "work on a future Tank Girl project" - but honestly all I really want is to have enough money to be left to my own devices and draw whatever I want, when I want. That was always the dream since I was a wee boy, and I don't think it'll ever change.
How do you take your coffee?
Black, in the middle of the night.
Shop the Darkness blend
